Senior Mechanical Engineer, Chassis & Enclosures

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Chassis & Enclosures

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $130,000 - $140,000

Position Overview

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the detailed design and implementation of structural frames, external enclosures, and internal packaging systems for our instruments. You will work closely with electrical, optical, fluidics, and manufacturing teams to ensure reliable, serviceable, and manufacturable system integration.

You are a strong executor who can take system requirements and translate them into robust mechanical solutions. You are comfortable working through ambiguity and enjoy owning hardware from concept through production.

Responsibilities

Chassis & Structural Design

• Design instrument chassis and structural frames to meet stiffness, vibration, and durability requirements

• Perform tolerance stack-ups and basic structural analysis to ensure mechanical robustness

• Develop mounting strategies for subsystems including optics, electronics, power systems, and fluidics

• Support shock, vibration, and environmental considerations appropriate for lab and field use

Enclosure Design

• Design external and internal enclosures using sheet metal, machined components, and plastics

• Select components to manage temperature, humidity, aerosols, and particulates in the enclosure design.

• Ensure proper airflow, access panels, cable pass-throughs, and service clearances

• Incorporate industrial design elements and user needs in enclosure design

Cable Management & System Packaging

• Develop cable routing strategies including harness support, strain relief, and service loops

• Partner with Electrical Engineering to implement grounding and EMI-conscious routing practices

• Optimize internal layout for manufacturability and serviceability

• Maintain clear mechanical datums and packaging hierarchy

Analysis, Prototyping & Validation

• Perform tolerance analysis and basic FEA as needed

• Build and test prototypes; iterate rapidly based on integration feedback

• Troubleshoot mechanical and packaging issues during system bring-up

• Support validation testing including vibration, thermal cycling, and handling

Manufacturing & Documentation

• Create detailed drawings with appropriate GD&T

• Participate in DFM/DFA reviews and cost optimization efforts

• Collaborate with contract manufacturers and suppliers

• Support transition from prototype to pilot production builds

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

• 5–8+ years of experience designing complex mechanical assemblies

• Experience designing chassis and/or enclosures for hardware products

• Familiarity with sheet metal, machined components, and plastic parts

• Experience with tolerance analysis and GD&T

• Proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g. SolidWorks)

• Hands-on experience building and debugging hardware

Preferred

• Experience in bioinstrumentation, medical devices, or scientific equipment

• Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations in electromechanical systems

• Experience designing cable routing and harness support systems

• Experience supporting early production builds

• Experience working with contract manufacturers

What We’re Looking For

• Strong mechanical fundamentals and attention to detail

• Practical systems thinker who understands cross-disciplinary integration

• Comfortable owning subsystems end-to-end

• Hands-on engineer who enjoys working in the lab

• Clear communicator across engineering disciplines

We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.