ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Spline Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Brex

Staff Brand Designer, Interactive

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$187K - $234K/yr

Experience with modern interactive tools (Framer, Spline, WebGL/Three.js, GSAP, or similar). * Familiarity with headless CMS workflows (Sanity or similar) to design within real content structures.

Chipton Ross Inc.

Milling Machine Machinist 3

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$86.55/hr

Experience in GD&T in design and manufacturing process * Ability to design and create customized ... spline, and keyway cutting to exacting tolerances. * Selects, mounts, and aligns various ...

Apply Early

Prolim Global

Milling Machinist 1 & 2

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $31.25/hr

... gear, spline, and keyway cutting to exacting tolerances. Selects, mounts, and aligns various ... GD&T in design and manufacturing process Ability to design and create customized fixtures and ...

Apply Early

Chipton Ross

Milling Machine Machinist 2

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$66.55/hr

Ability to design and create customized fixtures and tooling for jobs * Must have the ability to ... spline, and keyway cutting to exacting tolerances. * Selects, mounts, and aligns various ...

Brex

Staff Brand Designer, Interactive

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$187K - $234K/yr

Experience with modern interactive tools (Framer, Spline, WebGL/Three.js, GSAP, or similar). * Familiarity with headless CMS workflows (Sanity or similar) to design within real content structures.

All JobsSpline Design JobsSpline Design Jobs in California

Spline Design information

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

To thrive as a Spline Designer, you need a strong background in industrial design, CAD modeling, and understanding of geometry and manufacturing processes, often supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency in design software such as Autodesk Alias, Rhino, or Siemens NX, and knowledge of spline modeling tools are typically required. Exceptional attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with engineers and clients to meet precise design requirements. These skills ensure the creation of accurate, manufacturable, and aesthetically pleasing products that meet project specifications and industry standards.

What is the difference between Spline Design vs CAD Designer?

AspectSpline DesignCAD Designer
Required CredentialsTechnical training in spline modeling, CAD software proficiencyDegree in engineering, architecture, or related field; CAD software skills
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, manufacturing, automotive, aerospaceArchitectural firms, manufacturing, engineering companies
Industry UsageSpecialized in creating spline-based models for complex surfacesBroader CAD applications including 2D/3D drafting and modeling

While both roles involve computer-aided design, Spline Design focuses specifically on creating and manipulating spline-based models for complex surfaces, often in automotive or aerospace industries. CAD Designers have a broader scope, working on various types of digital models across multiple industries. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and skill requirements in the design field.

What are spline designers?

Spline designers are professionals who specialize in creating and refining spline curves and surfaces, which are smooth, flexible mathematical shapes commonly used in computer-aided design (CAD), animation, and engineering. They use specialized software to generate and manipulate these curves for various applications, such as automotive design, animation rigging, and industrial modeling. Spline designers must have a strong understanding of geometry, mathematics, and design principles to ensure the final product meets both aesthetic and functional requirements.

What are the typical challenges faced by spline designers when collaborating with cross-functional teams in product development?

Spline designers often work closely with engineers, product managers, and manufacturing teams to ensure precise integration of spline components into larger assemblies. Common challenges include reconciling design intent with manufacturability, adapting to evolving project requirements, and communicating technical specifications clearly across disciplines. Successful spline designers actively participate in design reviews, use CAD tools to share visualizations, and remain flexible to accommodate feedback from multiple stakeholders. Building strong communication channels helps streamline the collaboration process and ensures the final product meets both functional and production standards.
What are popular job titles related to Spline Design jobs in California? For Spline Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Spline Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Spline Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Spline Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Spline Design job openings:
Spline Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spline Design job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 52% Physical, and 48% Remote job distribution.

Senior Turbomachinery Mechanical Design Engineer

Critical Energy Systems

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Company Description:
Critical Energy is an innovative, early-stage, venture-backed cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the global energy transition through abundant, low-cost clean energy. Founded by an ex-SpaceX engineer, Critical Energy designs and manufactures factory-built, modular power plants. These rapidly deployable systems convert heat into electricity using a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle and can be installed in just weeks.
Critical Energy's technology delivers high-efficiency, 24/7 power for geothermal applications and waste heat recovery (including from data center gas turbines), making clean energy practical and cost-effective for demanding sectors like AI hyperscalers and data centers. Backed by top climate and technology investors, Critical Energy is scaling rapidly.
Our Mission:
To build an abundant, low-cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.
We are a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting-edge solutions to meet the world's energy needs with 100% clean energy. We are in the initial stages of development and building our team. This is your chance to join on the ground floor of something big! If you are ready to work at a fun, fast-paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy, apply today!
About the Role:
We are seeking an innovative and versatile Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to create new turbomachinery. Collaborating with engineers across the company, this Mechanical Design Engineer will help design our next generation of power-generating turbine products, taking ownership from cradle to grave and driving the project through completion. This role will focus on mechanical design from piece parts to system integration, with both attention to detail and a broad understanding of the product.
The role will involve collaborating closely with other members of the Turbomachinery team in addition to Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Systems, Field Ops, and others. This role will often be a pivot between teams.
Candidates must be willing to be flexible in their work and be willing to embrace new learning opportunities and expand their comfort zone to benefit the growth of Critical Energy.
The title of this role will be based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
Direct experience with turbomachinery is not a firm requirement but is a significant bonus.
Responsibilities:
  • Take ownership of the turbomachinery detailed CAD models, layout, and draft drawings per ASME Y14.5 to document and communicate your designs; collaborate with other engineers on checking and reviewing models & drawings
  • Find unique design solutions by integrating your own innovations with requirements and opportunities found by other subject-area experts (such as turbomachinery, fluid systems, electrical systems, and development test)
  • Perform hand calculations and structural analyses via finite element analysis to validate your design; collaborate with other engineers on checking and reviewing analyses
  • Drive your project to delivery by supporting the fabrication, assembly, and testing of the hardware you have designed; review production issues and proactively hunt for solutions
  • Support Field Ops teams with technical expertise and advice after product delivery and accept feedback on possible design improvements
  • Develop innovative design concepts for new machines or fluid systems
  • Other related tasks as defined by your supervisor that add value to the design needs

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of proven experience in a mechanical design role, with a strong portfolio of projects involving complex machinery
  • A solid understanding of and the ability to apply first principles of core mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and material science as it pertains to system sizing and modeling
  • Familiarity with basic design for manufacturing (DFM) principles for 5-axis, CNC machined and 3D printed metallic turbomachinery components
  • Familiarity with designing for casting, forging, additive, precision grinding, gear / spline hobbing and / or similar
  • Familiarity with choosing appropriate fastener torques / preloads
  • Familiarity with sealing design and choosing corresponding seals
  • Familiarity with high-performance polymers used in bushings / seals
  • Proficiency in applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5)
  • Experience with a modern CAD package and a willingness to immediately self-teach proficiency in Siemens NX
  • You have created CAD models of parts that were actually produced and assembled into a machine
  • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Highly self-motivated; Effective communication and team-working skills

Basic Experience:
  • Experience with assemblies and secondary systems common to engines and generators, like piping, fittings, valves, pumps, sensors, and actuators
  • Building and managing assemblies in CAD while ensuring proper fit and function of all individual piece parts-you can set up an assembly in CAD that is both digitally robust and easy to assemble in the real world
  • Experience with stress and thermal hand calculations on components and assemblies to ensure they can withstand operational loads and temperatures
  • Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and/or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS CFX, ANSYS Fluent)
  • You have prototype and production level experience with detailed manufacturing drawings with appropriate geometric dimensioning and tolerance (GD&T)
  • You take responsibility to personally talk to machinists / technicians about the GD&T on your drawings and then implement their feedback to make the product better
  • Your drawings are a cohesive piece of documentation and not just a random assortment of views with dimensions
  • You have worked with other engineering disciplines (such as Aerodynamics, Materials, and Manufacturing) to optimize designs for performance, reliability, and manufacturability
  • You are effective and respectful in communicating with other engineers even when it is controversial or regarding errors that you have observed or have been observed in your work
  • Knowledge of common materials and manufacturing methods; you can look at most objects around you and identify the possible ways they were made and what general type of material they were made from
  • Experience creating and maintaining comprehensive design documentation, including design reviews, process specifications, and bill of materials (BOMs)

Bonus Experience:
  • In-depth knowledge of the design and operation of specific types of turbomachinery (e.g., gas turbines, steam turbines, centrifugal pumps)
  • You have personally made and assembled metal or plastic parts that were included in a machine BOM and successfully operated
  • Experience with rotating machinery and their sub-components like rotors, stators, bearings, seals, housings/casings, high performance shafts, etc.
  • Understanding of how to manage leakage flow and its impact on thrust management
  • Experience with analyzing static structural, vibration, and fatigue
  • Experience with rotordynamics analysis including bearing design and selection
  • Hands-on experience with product development, such as resolving manufacturing issues and analyzing test data to inform design modifications
  • Proven expertise in Siemens NX / Teamcenter environment
  • CAD experience with mechanical routing and / or surface modeling

Compensation:
  • Base salary ranges from $140-200k per annum
  • Equity options
  • 100% company-covered Platinum or HD/HSA (with company contribution) medical
  • 100% company-covered dental and vision
  • Daily catered lunch
  • Several annual social and team building outings

Apply