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Mesodyne · 2 months ago

Principal Mechanical Engineer – Prototyping Lead

Somerville, MA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff

8+ years exp

Mesodyne is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead their hardware prototyping efforts. This critical role involves managing a dedicated team to drive the complete prototyping lifecycle and ensuring the successful transition from prototype to high-volume manufacturing.

EnergyNanotechnology

Responsibilities

Own the Prototyping Lifecycle: Take full ownership of prototype development projects, from initial concept and architecture through design, fabrication, and validation, ensuring the delivery of robust hardware

Lead and Mentor: Lead, mentor, and manage a dedicated, multi-disciplinary hardware team (initially one ME and one EE), fostering a culture of technical excellence, rapid iteration, and hands-on problem-solving

Set Technical Direction: Establish clear technical direction, define system requirements, and set priorities for the team, ensuring tight alignment with overall company objectives and customer needs

Hands-On Build and Assembly: As a hands-on leader, you will personally lead the assembly, integration, and testing of the first-generation systems. You and your team will be responsible for building the first ~10 units to deeply understand the design and refine the assembly process

Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Champion the transition from prototype to product. Conduct rigorous design reviews with a focus on manufacturability, cost, and reliability. Develop the necessary documentation (CAD, drawings, assembly procedures) for a smooth handoff to manufacturing partners

Project Management and Reporting: Create and manage project schedules, budgets, and resource plans. Proactively identify and mitigate technical and programmatic risks. Clearly communicate status, progress, and challenges to the executive team and external partners

Technical Contribution: Act as a key technical contributor and subject matter expert, applying your deep knowledge to mechanical design (CAD), thermal/structural analysis, materials selection, and system-level troubleshooting

Qualification

3D CADHardware developmentProject leadershipThermal managementDesign for ManufacturingElectrical engineering principlesProblem-solvingCommunication skillsCollaboration skills

Required

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field

8+ years of experience in hands-on hardware development, with a proven track record of taking complex mechanical or electromechanical products from concept to functional, tested prototypes

Proficiency in 3D CAD is essential

Demonstrated experience in project leadership and team management, with a history of successfully delivering complex hardware projects on time and on budget. Direct management experience is strongly preferred

Deep technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: thermal management, fluid systems, combustion, power generation, or precision mechanisms

Experience with the new product introduction (NPI) process, including designing for manufacturing (DFM/DFA) and transitioning products to internal or external manufacturing

Broad technical knowledge, including familiarity with electrical engineering principles sufficient to effectively lead EE team members in integrated system design and troubleshooting

Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to architect solutions for complex, open-ended challenges

Strong communication (written and verbal) and collaboration skills, comfortable interacting with leadership, team members, customers, and vendors