Staff Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

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&degree;C.

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

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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&degree;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&degree;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 hookup, 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 <5%) for tool or material pickup

Working at Tempo

Tempo is a lean organization working on exciting challenges, and the people who thrive here share a few things in common beyond their technical skills.

• Clear, direct communication: You professionally say what you mean, lead with empathy, use tact, ask when you're unsure, and keep the people around you informed without being asked. At a company our size, communication gaps are expensive, and good communicators add to success and efficiency!
• Low-ego helpfulness: You're willing to jump in on work that isn't strictly yours, whether that's helping a teammate debug something, lending a hand in the shop, or flagging an issue you noticed outside your lane. No one here succeeds in a silo.
• Intellectual curiosity: You're genuinely interested in how things work, not just your piece of it, but the broader system. Tempo sits at the intersection of chemistry, mechanical engineering, power electronics, and software; the more you understand about the whole, the more valuable you become.
• Business awareness: You understand that your work exists in a business context. You think about cost, timeline, and tradeoffs—not just technical elegance—and you make decisions accordingly.
• Comfort with ambiguity: Processes here are still being built. You can make progress without a perfect playbook, and you know when to ask for direction versus when to use your judgment and move forward.
• Accountability: You own your outcomes, including the misses. When something goes sideways, the instinct here is to fix it and learn from it, not to explain why it wasn't your fault. 

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Tempo reserves the right to modify, add, or remove responsibilities as business needs evolve. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside of those listed above from time to time.

Tempo is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Tempo participates in E-Verify. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check including employment and education check. 

California Privacy Notice (CCPA) - In connection with your application, Tempo collects personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, contact information, employment history, and other information relevant to your candidacy. This information is collected and used solely for the purpose of evaluating your application and administering the hiring process. Tempo does not sell applicants' personal information. For more information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please contact HR.

Tempo does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles from external recruiters, staffing agencies, or third-party search firms. Submission of unsolicited resumes by any external agency — whether to a Tempo employee, hiring manager, or any other representative — does not constitute or imply an agreement for placement fees, and Tempo will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited submissions under any circumstances. Any candidate submitted without a prior, fully executed, written fee agreement between the agency and Tempo's Human Resources department will be deemed the sole property of Tempo. Tempo reserves the right to pursue and hire such candidates without obligation to the submitting agency.