Lead Mechanical Engineer, Structures

About the Company

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.

Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Tesla, Apple, Virgin Orbit, Astra, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries.

About the Job

We are seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our team and provide technical leadership for the mechanical design and development of our core technology, the "Node." The Node is a device designed to produce energy in the harshest ocean conditions for extended periods without maintenance. This role is crucial to the success of our mission. You will be responsible for the backbone of the Node, its structural hull.

This is a role that requires deep structural design experience, ability to make outstanding technical contributions, and leadership abilities that are effective in a humble and high-performance culture. While defining the design for our Nodes, you will also manage and continue to build the team of mechanical engineers supporting its design. The ideal candidate is a technical expert and a practical builder who is comfortable with personally conducting detailed design work, values working alongside our manufacturing team, and is a skilled leader with a passion for developing others.

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. You will own your designs cradle-to-grave, from first concept through fabrication and deployment at sea. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.

Responsibilities

Accountable for the Node’s primary and secondary structures

Accountable for the team that defines the Node primary and secondary structures

Own the design, analysis, and development of Node structures, secondary structures, and subassemblies

Lead and participate in design reviews with the internal team and interface with external fabricators and vendors

Mentor and guide other engineers and designers, fostering a culture of technical excellence

Oversee project documentation and create detailed engineering releases using drawings and GD&T as appropriate

Partner closely with our Manufacturing and Operations team to produce new Node designs and design increments that achieve targets for cost and performance

Develop and maintain expert level use of CAD software personally and within the team for engineering definition and release

Required Qualifications

A degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, naval architecture, marine engineering, or another related engineering discipline

Extensive experience designing components, structures, and assemblies from a variety of materials

10+ years of 3D CAD modeling experience

5+ years of experience with large-scale, safety-critical welded steel structures

Strong fundamental skills with hand calculations and experience with structural FEA

Demonstrated experience building teams, leading, and mentoring other engineers

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to provide guidance to and receive it from engineers, designers, technicians, and suppliers

A work history that includes at least five design, build, test, deploy/release/produce cycles for complex systems/vehicles

Desired Qualifications

An advanced degree in a relevant engineering field or 5 years of additional experience

5+ years in a similar role

Proficiency with NX/Teamcenter

Understanding of engineering fundamentals relevant to marine systems (welded structures, mechanical assemblies, hydraulics/pneumatics, industrial automation & data acquisition, etc.)

Experience with a programming language like Python, Julia, or Mathematica

Knowledge of engineering standards such as ASME Y14.5

The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills

Additional Requirements

Travel to vendors and test sites as needed.

Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs. While we expect a lot of each other, we also offer a high degree of autonomy and work-life balance.

Compensation and Benefits

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

Cash compensation of $235,000 - $285,000.

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, 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 position is full-time and on-site at our office in Portland, Oregon .