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Mecha Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY Under the general direction of the VP of Operations, the Safety Trainer / Coordinator supports a safe work environment at their assigned manufacturing facility. This position serves as the ...

Solar Carport Foreman

Escalon, CA · On-site

$45 - $65/hr

Description: POSITION SUMMARY The Full Scope Solar Carport Foreman team member will provide leadership and direction to the team assigned. The Full Scope Solar Carport Foreman will be on the job site ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$107K - $142K/yr

At Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That's why we're committed to ...

Mecha information

What is a mecha?

Mecha jobs typically refer to professions involved with the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of mechanical robots or machines, especially those resembling humanoid robots known as 'mecha' in science fiction and anime. In real-world industries, this can include mechanical engineers, robotics technicians, mechatronics engineers, and similar roles focused on advanced machinery. These professionals work in fields like robotics, aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and entertainment, developing and managing complex mechanical systems. The term 'mecha' is more commonly used in popular culture, but the underlying careers are grounded in engineering and technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mechanical engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical design, mathematics, and physics, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Proficiency in CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), engineering simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards and certifications like FE or PE are highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional projects and client interactions. These skills ensure the creation of reliable, innovative mechanical solutions and contribute to project success within complex engineering environments.

What are some common challenges faced by mechanical engineers when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Mechanical engineers often collaborate with professionals from electrical, software, and manufacturing backgrounds. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across specialties, as each discipline may use different technical language and have distinct priorities. Additionally, balancing conflicting requirements—such as weight versus strength or cost versus performance—requires strong problem-solving and negotiation skills. Successful mechanical engineers stay adaptable and proactive in seeking feedback to ensure seamless integration of their designs within larger projects.

What is the difference between Mecha vs Robot Technician?

AspectMechaRobot Technician
Required CredentialsTechnical certifications, engineering backgroundTechnical certifications, electronics or robotics training
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, research labs, entertainment (mecha models)Industrial settings, repair shops, factories
Industry UsageEntertainment, military, researchManufacturing, automation, maintenance

Mecha and Robot Technicians both work with robotic systems, but Mecha typically refers to large, humanoid robots used in entertainment, research, or military applications, requiring specialized engineering skills. Robot Technicians focus on maintaining and repairing industrial robots used in manufacturing. While their skills overlap, Mecha roles often involve more complex design and control systems, whereas Robot Technicians concentrate on operational maintenance.

What are popular job titles related to Mecha jobs in California?

For Mecha jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mecha jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Mecha jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Mecha job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.

$110K - $146K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Salas O'Brien rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

158th of 449 rated engineering


Job description

At Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That's why we're committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career-and they'll receive great total rewards along the way.
About Us:
Founded in 1975, Salas O'Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow's requirements are today's opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.
Job Summary:
The Senior Mechanical Engineer will combine deep technical plumbing expertise with leadership responsibilities in growing our mechanical team. This role balances hands-on project involvement with business development, client engagement, and mentoring of engineering staff. The successful candidate will drive innovation in healthcare mechanical design, lead project delivery, and contribute to the strategic growth of our healthcare portfolio.
Responsibilities:
  • Provide a superior level of technical services to our clients for their projects and technical support requirements, providing technical and project control direction, and mentoring to other engineers and designers.
  • Provide engineering design, evaluation, and planning of mechanical systems for healthcare, life sciences, higher education, and data center market types.
  • Identify, formulate, and initiate solutions to complex problems requiring multiple-discipline involvement, along with discipline-specific analytical tools.
  • Perform work activities on an individual basis or within a project team with limited to no need for supervision.
  • Coordinate work activities that affect the quality of project control, scope development, proposals, engineering & design, document control, inspection & testing, and commissioning.
  • Review and check the work of others. Effectively apply self-checking to their work.
  • Identify and resolve complex problems that involve the use of conflicting or incomplete information.
  • Advanced data gathering and site assessments at customers' facilities
  • Review and editing of project specifications.
  • High-level and expert knowledge of California code requirements, including California Building Code (CBC) and HCAI-specific requirements.
  • Develop bidding documents for process equipment, fabrication, and construction.
  • Ability to review Revit production models and work interactively with support staff in the development of project deliverables.
  • This position is intended to provide guidance and direction for support staff.
  • Oversee preparation of technical drawings and bid documents.
  • Lead multidisciplinary project teams through all phases of design and construction.
  • Serve as the primary client contact for plumbing design within projects.
  • Perform QA/QC reviews of design work to ensure quality and compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Skills:
  • Client engagement and business development experience.
  • Advanced expertise with Autodesk software (Revit, Navisworks).
  • Ability to perform and review complex HVAC load calculations utilizing Energy Soft and Trace energy modeling software.
  • Ability to comprehend, contribute to, and carry out strategies to manage our relationships with customers, suppliers, and alliance team members.
  • Experience with leading engineering and design teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to drive projects forward.

Team Contribution & Development:
  • Collaborate with project managers and support staff to deliver projects on schedule and within scope.
  • Manage proposal development and provide technical input for projects as needed.
  • Participate in knowledge sharing and continuous improvement of design standards and best practices.
  • Contribute to a positive team environment through effective communication and management.
  • Continue to build technical expertise in specialized mechanical systems.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  • 10+ years of experience engineering and managing mechanical systems projects from start to finish for the built environment.
  • Client engagement and business development experience.
  • Registration as P.E. preferred.

Location:
  • San Diego, CA (on-site with remote Fridays).

Travel:
  • Up to 30%.

Compensation & Benefits:
Salas O'Brien health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Team members have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Salas O'Brien has both U.S. and Canadian (PTO) plans for full-time salaried, exempt and non-team members, 10 paid holidays, and paid leave programs for military service and new parents. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
The base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $200,000. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O'Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O'Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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