Mechanical Development Engineer Jobs in California

Job Description:

Roles & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Mechanical Engineering, the Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer must be a self-motivated technical leader capable of working in a fast-paced environment with aggressive product development schedules. This individual will be responsible for the mechanical architecture, design, development, and qualification of complex networking systems from concept through production and field deployment.

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced, hands-on engineer who combines strong technical leadership with a willingness to engage directly in product development activities, including system design, laboratory debugging, prototype evaluation, root-cause analysis, and customer issue resolution.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the mechanical development of complex networking systems and chassis platforms from concept through production release and field support.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple programs and serve as a subject matter expert for mechanical architecture, packaging, manufacturability, reliability, and serviceability.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies in cooling, liquid cooling, interconnects, materials, and manufacturing processes to support future product roadmaps.
• Drive system-level technical decisions, balancing performance, cost, schedule, reliability, manufacturability, compliance, and customer requirements.
• Remain actively engaged in hands-on engineering activities, including CAD reviews, tolerance analysis, prototype evaluation, laboratory testing, failure analysis, and root-cause investigations.
• Lead cross-functional design reviews and collaborate closely with Electrical, Thermal, Signal Integrity, Reliability, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Drive technical content of system specifications, design guidelines, validation plans, and engineering standards.
• Develop and maintain mechanical design standards, best practices, and engineering methodologies across the organization.
• Identify technical risks and drive mitigation plans throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support customer escalations, manufacturing issues, and field failures through hands-on troubleshooting and corrective action development.
• Lead supplier engagements involving design reviews, manufacturing readiness, tooling strategies, and technical issue resolution.
• Provide project scoping, resource estimates, schedule input, and technical guidance for new product development efforts.
• Mentor and develop engineers through technical coaching, design reviews, and day-to-day engineering leadership.
• Contribute to long-term technology planning and future platform development initiatives.

Education

Required:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 12+ years of experience in electromechanical product development.

Preferred:

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience developing networking, server, storage, telecommunications, or high-performance computing systems.
• Extensive experience with chassis development, system packaging, and high-density electronic assemblies.
• Experience with advanced cooling technologies, including liquid cooling solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex cross-functional development programs.

Expected Competencies

• Expert-level proficiency with 3D solid modeling tools; SolidWorks experience preferred. Working knowledge of EPDM or equivalent PLM systems is a plus.
• Extensive experience developing complex chassis and system-level mechanical designs for networking, server, storage, or telecommunications products.
• Strong hands-on experience with tolerance analysis, GD&T, stack-up analysis, and structural analysis techniques.
• Working knowledge of FEA and interpretation of simulation results.
• Experience with ECAD-MCAD integration and IDF workflows.
• Deep understanding of sheet metal design, machining, castings, extrusions, plastics, and associated manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of tooling requirements and manufacturing considerations for volume production.
• Working knowledge of thermal design principles, thermal characterization, and advanced cooling technologies including liquid cooling.
• Strong understanding of NEBS, EMI, EMC, Safety, and other regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex system-level mechanical issues in laboratory, manufacturing, and field environments.
• Experience leading root-cause investigations and implementing corrective actions.
• Strong understanding of product cost drivers, tooling investments, supplier capabilities, and budget management.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Comprehensive understanding of the complete product development lifecycle from concept through production and field support.

Health & Wellbeing

We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

Personal & Professional Development

We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have - whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.

Unconditional Inclusion

We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.

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