- Posted 01 May 2026
- Salary 150,000
- LocationSan Diego
- Job type Permanent
- DisciplineEngineering & CQV
- Reference232199
Staff Mechanical Engineer
Job description
Now Hiring | Staff Mechanical Engineer | Medical Device | San Diego, CA
We are partnering with a venture-backed medical device start-up developing a Class II electromechanical medical device. Our client is looking for a hands-on, experienced Staff Mechanical Engineer to play a pivotal role in the design and development of their capital equipment and disposable products.
If you're passionate about building life-changing medical technology and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment — let's talk.
What You'll Do
As a Staff Mechanical Engineer, you'll own mechanical design and development from concept through production, working across a highly collaborative cross-functional team spanning electrical, software, clinical, and manufacturing.
- Lead mechanical design and development of electromechanical components and subsystems
- Translate user needs and system requirements into technical specifications
- Own full product lifecycle activities including prototyping, testing, and design validation
- Guide hardware design verification and validation activities, including IEC 60601-1 compliance
- Conduct risk assessments (DFMEA) and implement design mitigations for thermal, mechanical, and safety-related hazards
- Troubleshoot complex mechanical issues across prototype and production systems
- Generate detailed technical documentation and work instructions
- Collaborate with supply chain and procurement to select and qualify critical vendors and components
- Partner with internal and external manufacturing teams to ensure manufacturability and scalability
- Support audits, inspections, and quality control initiatives throughout the development process
What We're Looking For
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field required; M.S. preferred
- 6+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience, with increasing levels of responsibility
- Experience in a highly regulated industry — preferably Class II medical devices
- Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics as applied to precision thermal control systems
- Proven ability to select materials compatible with chemically aggressive fluids and repeated thermal cycling
- Strong proficiency in CAD, preferably SolidWorks, with a track record of production-ready designs
- Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and medical device regulatory compliance
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams or mentor junior engineers
- Excellent cross-functional communication skills and ability to engage with executive leadership
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced start-up environment
Bonus Points For
- Knowledge of FDA regulations and ISO standards for medical devices
- Hands-on experience designing closed-loop fluid systems operating at sub-zero temperatures
- Experience in thermal insulation design, condensation management, and low-temperature environment controls
- Background in refrigeration systems, cryogenics, or laboratory chillers in biomedical or industrial applications
- Contributions to intellectual property — invention disclosures or patent filings