Mechanical Design Engineer

Lightmill is building a new manufacturing process called large-format laser milling. We are scaling laser milling from micron-scale features to much larger metal parts, with the goal of making precision metal manufacturing more accessible, flexible, and affordable. We are an early-stage startup, which means the work is broad, hands-on, and high-impact. Everyone on the team wears multiple hats, moves quickly, and helps build both the technology and the company around it. We are looking for a mechanical engineering leader to own the hardware architecture of our upcoming machine. This is a high‑ownership role for someone who has designed complex electromechanical systems, made hard architectural tradeoffs, and taken hardware from concept through production. About the Role As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for defining and driving the mechanical architecture of Lightmill’s next‑generation machine. You will work across mechanical design, motion systems, thermal management, optics/laser integration, fixturing, enclosure design, manufacturability, serviceability, and system‑level performance. What You’ll Do Lead the mechanical architecture for Lightmill’s upcoming machine, from early concept through detailed design, build, test, and iteration. Define the major machine subsystems, interfaces, constraints, and tradeoffs. Own system‑level mechanical design decisions across structure, motion, fixturing, thermal behavior, service access, safety, and manufacturability. Develop machine layouts, CAD assemblies, requirements, design reviews, and technical documentation. Design and guide the development of precision electromechanical subsystems. Work with controls and software engineers to ensure the mechanical architecture supports calibration, sensing, automation, and process control. Work with process engineers to ensure the machine enables the required laser‑material interaction, part access, debris management, and production workflow. Build prototypes, run experiments, analyze failures, and drive rapid design iterations. Select vendors, components, materials, and manufacturing processes where appropriate. Establish engineering practices for design reviews, drawing releases, tolerance analysis, and hardware validation. What We’re Looking For Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and a track record of designing complex hardware systems. Experience owning the architecture of a machine, instrument, robot, manufacturing system, industrial tool, or other precision electromechanical product. Ability to reason at both the system level and the detailed component level. Deep experience with CAD (Onshape preferred), mechanical design, prototyping, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturability. Comfort designing around motion, stiffness, vibration, thermal effects, precision alignment, serviceability, and safety. Experience working closely with electrical, controls, software, manufacturing, and process engineering teams. Strong judgment around technical tradeoffs, sequencing, risk, and what needs to be validated experimentally. Qualifications BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience. 4+ years of hands‑on design experience with complex electromechanical systems. Nice to Have Experience with CNC machines, laser systems, robotics, industrial automation, semiconductor tools, additive manufacturing, metrology equipment, or precision motion systems. Experience designing machines that involve optics, lasers, machine vision, dust/debris control, thermal management, or high‑power process equipment. Familiarity with linear motion systems, actuators, stages, encoders, sensors, fixturing, enclosures, interlocks, and safety systems. Experience taking hardware from prototype to production. Experience managing vendors, fabricators, contract manufacturers, or internal machine builds. You Might Be a Good Fit If You have led the design of a complex machine or electromechanical system before. You like making the architectural decisions that determine how a machine works, not just executing someone else’s layout. You are comfortable with ambiguity and can turn process goals into mechanical requirements. You enjoy being hands‑on in the shop, lab, or build area. What We Offer Full‑time employees are eligible for the following benefits listed below. An opportunity to shape the next generation of manufacturing technology Growth & Leadership Opportunities; Team members that take initiative are trusted with greater responsibility Equity Medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan Paid holidays & Flexible time off Meals provided 401(k) plan Why Join This is an opportunity to define the hardware foundation for an entirely new manufacturing technology. You will have major ownership over the architecture of Lightmill’s next machine and will work on problems that combine precision mechanics, lasers, software, controls, and real‑world metal processing. If you want to build machines that drive the forefront of manufacturing, we’d like to talk. #J-18808-Ljbffr