Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: On-Site – Richmond, CA

Reports to: VP of Technology & Innovation

About Us:

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT) provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows™, which provides AI-capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® unmanned surface vehicles (USV’s) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is located in Monroe Township, New Jersey with an additional office in Richmond, California.

The Role:

We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Richmond, CA engineering team, focused on the design, development, and deployment of mechanical systems for WAM-V® autonomous surface vehicles, PowerBuoy® platforms, and supporting hardware. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys taking designs from concept through prototype and into fielded systems. You will be responsible for designing robust mechanical components and assemblies that can withstand harsh marine environments, while working closely with prototyping, electrical, and software teams to ensure seamless system integration.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing analytical design with practical build and test iteration. You should be motivated to see your designs operate in the real world and continuously improve them based on field performance. This position offers the opportunity to directly impact next-generation marine robotics platforms and contribute to systems operating in some of the most challenging environments.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for autonomous marine systems, including structural, enclosure, and integration hardware
• Create detailed CAD models and drawings for parts and assemblies, ensuring manufacturability and serviceability
• Perform engineering analysis (e.g., stress, fatigue, thermal, corrosion considerations) to ensure robust performance in marine environments
• Work closely with prototyping and fabrication teams to build, test, and iterate on designs
• Design for harsh environments, including considerations for sealing, corrosion resistance, vibration, and shock
• Support system integration across mechanical, electrical, and software domains
• Develop and maintain BOMs, engineering documentation, and revision-controlled drawings
• Participate in testing and validation, including lab testing and field deployments/sea trials
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues and implement design improvements based on test and field data
• Contribute to design standards, best practices, and continuous improvement of engineering processes

Qualifications:

Required:

• US citizenship
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Minimum 2 years of experience in mechanical design or product development
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks or similar) for part and assembly design
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes

• Experience designing for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA)

• Ability to create detailed engineering drawings and documentation
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work through design challenges in a hands-on environment

• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams

Desired:

Ocean Power Technologies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary range is $105,000 - $115,000 per year and includes the following:

• Bonus potential
• Restricted Stock Awards

Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 401(k)