Staff Mechanical Engineer

Tempo Innovations; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Tempo Innovations, based in San Diego, seeks a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead end-to-end development of mechanical and thermal hardware for high-temperature systems up to 1500°C. You will mentor junior engineers and drive projects from concept through testing, coordinating with contract manufacturers as needed.

The role demands strong hands-on fabrication skills (welding, machining), thorough GD&T application, and expertise in FEA and thermal analysis to ensure robust, manufacturable designs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering required.
• 5+ years of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Experience in a startup or dynamic engineering environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and manufacturing of complex mechanical and thermal hardware.
• Architect and design systems from the ground up using SolidWorks, with GD&T applied.
• Perform advanced structural (FEA) and thermal (COMSOL) analyses for high-temperature systems (up to 1500°C).
• Design custom steel and aluminum weldments and oversee fabrication and quality.
• Implement data acquisition systems and instrumentation to validate prototype performance.
• Own project life cycles in a startup environment and drive hardware to completion.

Skills

5+ years experience

SolidWorks CAD

DFM/DFX

GD&T

FEA

Thermal analysis

Welding/Fabrication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree

Tools

SolidWorks

COMSOL

FEA software

Job description

About Tempo

Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for energy‑intensive industries. The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost‑effective and enables the electrification of high‑temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels. By storing electricity thermochemically, the system delivers a continuous stream of combustion‑free, high‑temperature air at up to 1,200°C.

Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures.

For more information, visit www.tempoenergy.com.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and driven Staff Mechanical Engineer who thrives in a fast‑paced startup environment. You will take ownership of the end‑to‑end development of mission‑critical mechanical and thermal systems, from blank‑page concept through analysis, fabrication, and final testing. You will tackle extreme engineering challenges, including high‑temperature systems with complex power electronic interfaces —while mentoring junior engineers and driving projects across the finish line.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and manufacturing of complex mechanical and thermal hardware.
• Architect and design systems from the ground up using SolidWorks, ensuring robust application of GD&T.
• Conduct advanced structural (FEA) and thermal (COMSOL) analyses on systems operating in extreme environments (up to 1500°C).
• Design custom steel and aluminum weldments, overseeing their fabrication and quality.
• Architect and implement data acquisition (DAQ) systems and instrumentation to validate prototype performance.
• Act as a technical authority for DFM/DFA, frequently utilizing hands‑on fabrication skills (welding, machining) to iterate rapidly.
• Take full ownership of project life cycles, navigating the ambiguities of a startup environment to deliver hardware on tight timelines.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
• 5+ years of professional design and/or hands‑on manufacturing experience.
• Prior experience in a startup or highly dynamic engineering environment.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering or other comparable engineering disciplines.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers.
• Understanding and proper application of GD&T.
• Experience with CAD (SolidWorks).
• Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA).
• Experience performing thermal analysis (COMSOL).
• Experience with steel and/or aluminum weldment design and analysis.
• Experience with high‑temperature (up to 1500°C) system design and analysis.
• Hands‑on design, design for manufacturability (DFM), and fabrication experience.
• Experience with common fabrication methods and tools (welder, router, mill, lathe, hand tools, etc.).
• Data acquisition and instrumentation experience (thermocouples, pressure sensors, electrical sensors, flow sensors, oxygen sensors, etc…).
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion.

Compensation Range

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $186,000 to $206,900 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, location, and relevant education or training.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity or benefits.

Physical Demands

• Sitting and standing: Extended periods at a desk performing computer‑based design, simulation, and documentation work, balanced with time at a lab bench or in the shop during hardware build and testing
• Lifting and carrying: Lift and carry equipment, test fixtures, or hardware assemblies up to 50 lbs.; heavier items handled with mechanical assistance or team lift
• Hand dexterity: Frequent use of hands for assembly, fabrication, instrumentation hook‑up, and operation of test and shop equipment
• Visual acuity: Ability to read engineering drawings, inspect hardware, and identify dimensional and surface quality features during fabrication and testing
• PPE compliance: Ability to wear and work effectively in required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, heat‑resistant gloves, safety shoes, and other appropriate gear in high‑temperature lab and shop environments
• Safety acumen: Demonstrated understanding of lab and shop safety protocols, including hazard recognition and risk mitigation in environments involving high‑temperature equipment, energized systems, and fabrication machinery

Travel

Occasional travel (estimated