Senior Mechanical Engineer (San Diego Metropolitan Area)

Mechanical Engineering Technician

Comp: $30/hr - $50/hr

Status: Contract

About the Company

This San Diego-based climate-tech startup is building thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems for energy-intensive industries. The technology lets industrial operators time their power usage to cheaper periods and replace fossil-fuel combustion with electrified heat — delivering a continuous stream of combustion-free, high-temperature air (up to 1,200°C). The company is venture-backed by major climate and energy investors.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a hands-on, welding-capable Engineering Technician to help fabricate parts and build out testing rigs, instrumentation, sensors, prototypes, and power electronics hardware. This is a great fit for someone early in their career (2-4 years of hands-on experience, ideally out of a strong technical program) who wants to get real reps on cutting-edge R&D hardware in a fast-moving startup. You'll split time between independent fabrication work and close collaboration with the engineering team, directly shaping components for next-generation high-temperature energy storage systems.

What You'll Do

• Read and interpret 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and spec sheets to plan, measure, and cut raw stock for part production
• Perform TIG/MIG welding on structural builds and run shop equipment (mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws) to fabricate or rework parts
• Support assembly of mechanical and electromechanical systems
• Check finished parts for dimensional accuracy and weld quality ahead of inspection
• Rework and repair parts, prototypes, and test rigs on the fly to keep pace with R&D needs — welding, grinding, cutting, machining as needed
• Fabricate with high-temperature and specialty materials (refractory metals, ceramics, alloys) built for thermochemical-grade durability
• Work directly with engineers to troubleshoot fabrication issues and flag design-for-manufacturability improvements
• Inspect welded/fabricated components for structural soundness, finish, and tolerance
• Keep welding equipment and machine tools properly maintained, and follow safety protocol around welding, high-heat materials, and machinery
• Log build data — assembly steps, fabrication parameters, modifications — and loop engineering/R&D in with real-time feedback

Physical Requirements

• Mix of desk-based design/documentation work and hands-on shop/lab time
• Able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. (team lift or mechanical assist for heavier loads)
• Strong hand dexterity for assembly, fabrication, and equipment operation
• Sharp visual acuity for reading drawings and spotting dimensional/surface defects
• Comfortable working in required PPE (safety glasses, heat-resistant gloves, safety shoes, etc.) in high-heat environments
• Solid grasp of shop/lab safety practices — hazard recognition around high-temp equipment, energized systems, and fabrication machinery
• Minimal travel (under 5%) for occasional tool/material runs

What Success Looks Like Here

• You communicate directly and proactively — no one has to chase you for updates
• You pitch in wherever needed, whether that's helping a teammate troubleshoot or flagging something outside your usual scope
• You're curious about the full system — chemistry, mechanical engineering, power electronics, software — not just your slice of it
• You factor cost and timeline into your technical decisions, not just elegance
• You're comfortable moving forward without a fully built-out playbook, and know when to ask versus when to just decide
• You own your outcomes, including the misses — and focus on fixing and learning rather than explaining