Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Torrance, CA (100% onsite — no remote or hybrid)

Compensation: $125K – $145K + competitive equity

Visa sponsorship not available

About the Opportunity

A well-funded, engineering-led climate hardware startup is pioneering a new category of portable water-making technology designed to provide water autonomy in areas where infrastructure fails. Backed by top-tier investors, the company is scaling breakthrough desalination systems from initial builds to high-rate production.

We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to own the production lifecycle and shape manufacturing processes for this innovative hardware. This role is critical to taking products from first builds through high-rate manufacturing in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes and production lines for complex hardware systems
• Lead Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA) initiatives, including tooling, fixtures, and automation
• Work cross-functionally to select equipment and define key metrics including cycle times, yield targets, and cost-per-unit
• Develop work instructions, process flows, and production layout designs for new systems
• Own continuous improvement efforts to reduce costs, increase throughput, and improve reliability

What We're Looking For

Experience:

• 1–8 years of manufacturing engineering experience owning production line design and process development for physical hardware products
• Background in high-rate manufacturing environments (automotive, consumer electronics, or similar)
• Proven track record of building or scaling manufacturing processes in a fast-moving hardware environment

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering
• Hands-on project involvement during school (Formula SAE, Baja, Rocket Club, robotics, or other build-focused engineering teams) strongly preferred

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in SolidWorks or equivalent CAD for designing tooling, fixtures, workstations, or production equipment
• Experience designing custom machinery or factory automation (pick-and-place systems, conveyors, pneumatic actuation, or operator-assist equipment)
• Familiarity with fluid or pressure systems, including pumps, valves, pressure vessels, tubing, or fluid-handling equipment
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and SPC principles

Why This Role

• Early ownership opportunity in a high-growth, engineering-led startup
• Shape the manufacturing processes of breakthrough climate hardware from the ground up
• Solve a meaningful global resource challenge with a mission-driven team
• Competitive compensation and equity package