Senior Mechanical Engineer
Job description
About the role
Join a dedicated team focused on developing innovative sleep technology. This role involves taking ownership of product development from initial concepts through to mass production. You will contribute to creating advanced hardware that enhances human potential through better sleep. The position requires a hands-on approach to solving complex hardware challenges in a fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for translating abstract ideas into concrete, manufacturable mechanical systems. Collaboration is central to the role, as you will work closely with cross-functional partners to define and refine product requirements. Success in this position means driving projects from conception to successful market launch.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Design complex electromechanical systems, integrating plastics, metals, soft goods, sensors, and actuators to meet stringent performance targets.
- Manage designs through the full product lifecycle, orchestrating activities from initial brainstorming and detailed CAD modeling to rigorous prototyping and testing, culminating in production ramp-up in Asia.
- Resolve interdisciplinary challenges by actively collaborating with electrical, software, reliability, and manufacturing engineers to ensure seamless integration of all product subsystems.
- Conduct in-depth analysis and testing, including thermal, fluid, and structural assessments, to verify that prototypes meet all product specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Influence product direction and features by working closely with industrial design, marketing, product management, and company leadership to align on strategic goals.
- Develop and maintain detailed mechanical documentation, ensuring that all designs, test results, and manufacturing feedback are accurately recorded for future reference and knowledge sharing.
- Champion Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles, proactively identifying and eliminating potential production issues before they escalate, thereby reducing costs and development time.
- Lead root cause investigations for any field or production failures, utilizing data-driven methodologies to implement effective and lasting corrective actions.
- Mentor junior engineers by providing guidance on best practices for mechanical design, testing procedures, and documentation standards.
- Evaluate new materials, components, and manufacturing processes, assessing their suitability for high-volume consumer product applications.
- Partner with the supply chain team to select suppliers, negotiate specifications, and manage the qualification of new components for mass production.
- Ensure all mechanical designs adhere to safety standards, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements, and other relevant industry certifications.
Requirements
- At least 3 years of experience designing consumer products, demonstrating a track record of successful commercialization.
- Knowledge of injection molding processes, including material selection, gate design, and understanding of part ejection mechanisms is mandatory.
- Familiarity with sheet metal forming techniques and the ability to design parts that meet specific structural and aesthetic criteria.
- Experience integrating sensors and electronics into mechanical assemblies, ensuring proper fit, function, and signal integrity.
- Proven ability to deliver high-volume consumer products, including providing manufacturing support during production runs in Asia.
- High proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling software, such as Solidworks, NX, or Creo, for creating detailed parts and assemblies.
- Expertise in high-volume manufacturing processes, Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFA) methodologies, tolerance analysis, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Strong understanding of root cause analysis techniques, Design of Experiments (DOEs), and other quality measurement methods to drive product improvements.
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution is required.
- Willingness and ability to travel to China as needed to support manufacturing activities and build supplier relationships.
Nice to have
Preferred candidates will have experience with soft goods design, including textiles and foam selection for wearable applications. Knowledge of embedded sensor technologies and their integration into consumer devices is also valued. Experience with rapid prototyping methods, such as 3D printing and CNC machining, is advantageous for iterative testing. Familiarity with regulatory standards for medical or wellness devices is a plus. Candidates with a background in data-driven product development and statistical analysis will be considered favorably.
Practical notes
This role requires availability for full-time on-site work, with a standard schedule of 40 hours per week in the San Francisco office. Travel to China is required periodically to support manufacturing and production activities. The company offers comprehensive benefits, including lunch in the SF office five days a week, full health, vision, and dental insurance for you and dependents, supplemental life insurance, flexible PTO, commuter benefits, and paid parental leave. Every employee receives an Eight Sleep Pod, the company's flagship sleep technology, to experience the product firsthand. The company is committed to continuous equity investment and provides periodic equity refreshments based on individual and company performance.