Staff Mechanical Engineer

Staff Mechanical Engineer

Redwood Materials is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to drive the design of components and assemblies for new types of industrial reactors. Our team is focused on delivering new technologies to convert waste material from lithium-ion battery recycling into useful products. In this role, you will own the design of components and assemblies for new industrial equipment from concept, through pilot testing and commercial installations. You will bring experience in the design of metals and plastics for medium to high production volumes, as well as direct experience driving design-for-manufacturing feedback cycles with contract manufacturers. You will bring a keen eye for driving simplicity in designs, while maintaining core functions. Further, you will work cross-functionally with other teams and disciplines to define requirements and test plans to deliver designs that meet our commercial goals. This is an exciting opportunity to use your mechanical design experience to tackle a critical supply chain challenge while enabling a sustainable future.

Responsibilities will include:

• Design, build, prototype, and commission new industrial reactor designs, with an emphasis on manufacturability and reliability
• Drive new prototyping and build activities, supported by other engineers and technicians, to demonstrate design improvements and incorporate design-for-assembly feedback
• Develop mechanical BOM cost models and drive cost-down initiatives through improved design or improved supplier engagements
• Own relationships with component vendors and manufacturers to ensure that Redwood Materials is receiving quality components that meet the needs of our commercial systems
• Participate in verification and validation testing to prove your designs meet target requirements
• Execute mechanical FEA simulations to support design decisions
• Produce CAD models, engineering drawings, and BOMs to support the design process

 Desired Qualifications:

• BS or MS degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in an industry position as a mechanical engineer
• Expert in cost-conscious design of components and assemblies for interdisciplinary hardware products, such as solar modules, EV chargers, electric powertrains, energy storage systems, combustion engines, or similar
• Expert in design for manufacturing (DFM) for components or assemblies of meaningful production volume
• Expert in driving prototyping and build activities in collaboration with technician teams
• Expert in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred), detailed engineering drawings, and GD&T
• Experienced in managing relationships with external vendors
• Experienced in mechanical FEA
• A passion for sustainability and making the world a better place!

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work hands on the lab, including standing and operating equipment at a lab bench

Working Conditions:

• Environment: office, machine shop, wet laboratory, chemical plant, outdoor test sites
• Essential physical requirements: working hands-on in a research lab setting
• Travel required as needed, less than 10%