Senior Mechanical Engineer

viaPhoton; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Flexible PTO

Paid holidays

Team events

Job summary

viaPhoton in Naperville, IL is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the next generation of fiber optic solutions. You will mentor junior engineers, partner with sales and operations, and drive designs from concept through prototyping and production.

You will design across sheet metal, plastics, extrusions, and castings using SolidWorks, develop BOMs, perform FEA, and analyze costs while communicating complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in technical support or customer-facing role.
• Proficient in SolidWorks with ability to produce CAD models and renderings.
• Able to summarize technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with actionable insights.
• Experience handling multiple inquiries and prioritizing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products with sales and operations to solve real customer problems.
• Mentor junior engineers and support SolidWorks tasks.
• Lead mechanical design process: CAD drawings, BOMs, FEA, cost analysis.
• Investigate root causes and conduct failure investigations.
• Design across sheet metal, plastics, extrusions, and castings using SolidWorks.
• Build prototypes, source parts, and coordinate cross-functional teams to meet deadlines and budgets.

Skills

SolidWorks

CAD drawings

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer-focused, technology-led. viaPhoton is reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. We design and deliver custom-engineered, end-to-end fiber connectivity solutions for the AI infrastructure, data centers, and 5G networks shaping the next decade, and our customers need them in weeks, not months. In five years we've grown to a team of 200+ and 4x'd our revenue in the last year alone, and we're just getting started. We're looking for people who want to do their best work with a team that's moving fast.

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer-focused, technology-led. viaPhoton is reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. We design and deliver custom-engineered, end-to-end fiber connectivity solutions for the AI infrastructure, data centers, and 5G networks shaping the next decade, and our customers need them in weeks, not months. In five years we've grown to a team of 200+ and 4x'd our revenue in the last year alone, and we're just getting started. We're looking for people who want to do their best work with a team that's moving fast.

About the Role

You will lead mechanical product design for the next generation of our fiber optic solutions. With at least 7 years of experience, you will mentor junior engineers, partner with sales and operations, and deliver products that solve real customer problems. You will design across multiple manufacturing methods, build prototypes, and explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Work with sales, operations, and marketing teams to develop new products that solve real customer problems
• Mentor and support junior engineers with tasks and projects, including SolidWorks usage
• Lead the mechanical product design process, including CAD design, drawings, bill-of-materials, FEA, and cost analysis
• Investigate and lead technical root cause analysis and failure investigations
• Design across sheet metal, injection molded plastics, extrusions, and castings using SolidWorks
• Build prototypes, source components with outside vendors, and partner with cross-functional teams to keep projects on time and on budget

What You’ll Bring

• Have a bachelor's degree or equivalent, with at least 7 years of practical experience in a similar industry or field
• Have experience in a technical support or customer-facing role
• Are proficient in SolidWorks and can produce detailed CAD models, drawings, and renderings
• Can summarize technical concepts clearly for less technical audiences and provide succinct instructions
• Bring careful analytical and problem-solving skills and can produce meaningful insights and recommendations
• Are comfortable handling multiple inquiries at once and prioritizing accordingly

Senior Mechanical Engineer JD

What's in it for you?

• Robust health, dental, and vision coverage that starts on day 1
• 401(k) with 4% match, vests immediately after a 90-day waiting period
• Flexible PTO that grows over time
• 10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays
• Monthly team events
• Click here to view our full benefits overview.

Location: Naperville, IL

Schedule: Mon-Fri | Onsite

Compensation: $85,000 to $110,000 base, plus annual bonus

At viaPhoton, we are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We reinforce this through our core values and beliefs as well as our processes and strategic goals. We remind team members to seek various viewpoints, learn and be hungry with curiosity, and gain trust.

We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit and qualifications. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, health condition, genetic information, marital or family status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic background, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We provide reasonable accommodations and adjustments throughout the hiring process. If you need one, please let us know. Any personal data you share with us is handled confidentially and in line with applicable data protection law.