Senior Mechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA (Hybrid)

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Contract The position

We're looking for a Senior / Lead Mechanical Engineer to join the Speck Design team in San Jose. This role is ideal for an experienced mechanical engineer who can own system architecture, deliver high-quality mechanical designs, and lead projects from concept through production.

You will work across consumer, medical, robotics, and industrial products—guiding mechanical decisions, mentoring teammates, and collaborating with industrial design, electrical engineering, and outside partners. Your first programs are already underway: a ruggedized, outdoor-deployed sensor platform going from proof-of-concept to product-grade — structure, enclosures, cable management, sealing and serviceability through prototype and manufacturing handoff — and hardware development for a robotics program alongside our electrical, firmware and prototyping team.

The Senior / Lead Mechanical Engineer will:

• Lead mechanical system architecture and subsystem definition
• Translate requirements into robust mechanical solutions
• Execute advanced CAD in SolidWorks (assemblies, mechanisms, surfacing, drawings)
• Perform tolerance analysis, GD&T, DFMA, and oversee FEA as needed
• Build and test prototypes; lead mechanical validation and iteration
• Communicate decisions and risks clearly to clients and cross-functional teams
• Mentor junior engineers and manage external engineering or fabrication partners

Details: Hybrid at our San Jose studio. Initial six-month W-2 engagement with intent to convert to full-time. Pay range $85–$110/hour on contract; $150,000–$180,000 base on conversion. Start as soon as possible.

Background

• 7–12+ years of mechanical engineering experience in product development
• Expert-level SolidWorks skills
• Strong analytical foundation and excellent engineering fundamentals
• Experience taking products from concept through manufacturing release
• Ability to independently lead engineering workstreams and collaborate cross-functionally
• Clear communicator capable of presenting technical rationale to clients
• Authorized to work in the US and able to pass a client-required background check (identity and criminal history)

What We Are Looking For

Someone who has a desire to view the larger picture and is constantly curious about finding new technologies and viewpoints. Willingness to communicate within a team setting in the effort to achieve a larger goal. You are someone who views your job description as the starting point of what you want to achieve at Speck Design.

It would be a bonus if you had:

• Exposure to automation, robotics, electromechanical systems, or industrial equipment
• Enclosures and structures for outdoor or harsh environments — sealing, drainage, thermal, vibration, service access
• Vendor management and manufacturing coordination (domestic or overseas)
• Prior consultancy experience or multi-project environments