Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fluid Systems

Job Description

Job Description

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 Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fluid Systems to play a critical role in the design and development of the fluid systems that power our core technology, the "Node." The Node will operate in the worst conditions the world's oceans have to offer for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention, and fluid systems are central to its performance and reliability.

In this role, you will own the design and delivery of critical fluid subsystems and components, working within the broader system architecture to ensure performance, reliability, and manufacturability. You will contribute deep technical expertise across design, analysis, testing, and deployment, partnering closely with mechanical design, manufacturing, and test teams.

This role is ideal for a highly capable engineer who thrives in hands-on technical work, enjoys solving complex problems, and is motivated to build robust, real-world systems. You will have significant ownership over your work while collaborating closely with senior technical leaders to refine system-level design decisions.

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

• Own the design and development of critical fluid subsystems and components across all phases (concept through deployment)
• Perform detailed design and analysis, including material selection, sizing, and system integration
• Collaborate with staff and senior engineers to refine system architecture and integration strategies
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to technical decision-making
• Work closely with internal teams and external vendors to ensure high-quality fabrication and assembly
• Produce clear engineering documentation, including drawings and GD&T
• Partner with testing teams to validate performance and iterate based on test and field data
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in development, test, and deployment environments
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence

Required Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, naval architecture, marine engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years designing components and subsystems for fluid systems across a range of applications
• 5+ years of 3D CAD modeling experience
• Experience with complex, safety-critical, or high-performance fluid systems
• Strong engineering fundamentals, including hand calculations and simulation tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, technicians, and external partners
• Experience contributing to multiple design-build-test cycles for complex systems

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field or equivalent additional experience
• Proficiency with NX/Teamcenter or similar CAD/PLM tools
• Familiarity with marine or offshore systems (e.g., hydraulics, welded structures, mechanical assemblies)
• Experience with programming tools such as Python, Julia, or Mathematica
• Knowledge of engineering standards such as ASME Y14.5
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, iterative environment

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 $155,000 – $205,000.
• 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 is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.