Senior Mechanical Engineer, Structures

Panthalassa; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (100% coverage)

Flexible paid time off

Equity in the company

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Panthalassa is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Structures to design and develop Node structures for sustainable energy applications. Located in Portland, Oregon, this position requires a hands-on engineer with strong analytical skills and experience in mechanical design.

The role entails end-to-end ownership of structural design and development, emphasizing manufacturability and reliability in harsh offshore environments.

Offering a comprehensive benefits package and equity, this full-time role aims to attract creative problem solvers eager to contribute to innovative ocean technologies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical or structural systems design.
• Strong knowledge of strength and stability hand calculations.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes like machining and welding.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of Node structures.
• Perform structural and dynamic analysis for design validation.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams for practical solutions.

Skills

Load paths understanding

Design for manufacturability

Welded structures

Analysis and problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software proficiency

NASTRAN/Simcenter

Job description

About the Job

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

About the Job

We are developing a core technology, the “Node”, that will operate in the worst conditions the world’s oceans have to offer for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Structures you will own the design, development, and analysis of Node structures and subsystems from concept through deployment at sea, ensuring their designs are simple, manufacturable, and reliable in demanding offshore environments.

This position requires a highly motivated, hands‑on engineer who thrives in ambiguity, can execute with autonomy, and is eager to take on end‑to‑end ownership, defining requirements and architecture and driving through design, prototype testing, and final build at our factory. The job requires a deep understanding of load paths, design for manufacturability, welded structures, subassembly design, and fabrication. We expect you to be especially strong in analysis and to gravitate toward first‑principles, fundamental‑physics approaches to problem solving. As one of the most experienced engineers on the team, you will set the technical bar, serving as a person whose judgment the team leans on when the right answer isn’t obvious.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, analysis, and development of Node structures, secondary structures, and subassemblies.
• Perform structural and dynamic analysis (FEA, hand calcs, margins, etc.) to validate designs including fatigue analysis.
• Steer system definition, layout, requirements, and verification.
• Create and maintain component and assembly CAD models.
• Create detailed component and assembly drawings with a strong grasp of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Drive design trade studies and engineering reviews, helping document decisions and technical findings.
• Drive material selection and corrosion‑conscious detailing for long‑duration seawater service.
• Plan and support structural validation testing, from coupon/component tests through prototype and at‑sea trials.
• Collaborate with offshore operations, technicians, and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical and buildable.
• Mentor less‑experienced engineers and set design and analysis standards the team builds on.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in designing mechanical or structural systems for complex hardware applications.
• Strong knowledge of strength and stability hand calculations for structural sizing and model validation.
• Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, material failure modes, and associated analysis methods.
• Familiarity with a wide set of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, forming, and joining methods.
• Proficiency with CAD software and assembly management.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams in a fast‑paced environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of demonstrated experience designing and analyzing primary structures subject to aerodynamic or hydrodynamic loads.
• Proficiency with NX/Teamcenter.
• Proficiency with NASTRAN/Simcenter.
• Experience designing welded steel structures.
• Experience utilizing relevant parts of codes/standards (e.g., DNV, ABS, AWS D1.1, BPVC) for novel applications.

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full‑time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $160,000 - $210,000
• Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full‑time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full‑time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full‑time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
  • Ability to contribute to tax‑advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an on‑site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.