Mechanical Engineer II

Mechanical Engineer II

Location: Santa Clara, CA (On-site)

Job Term: Full-Time

The Role

We seek a Mechanical Engineer to contribute to the design, development, and commercialization of next-generation analytical instruments and supporting hardware. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who combines strong mechanical design skills with creativity, technical precision, and the ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines.

You will work closely with other mechanical, electrical, systems, and manufacturing engineers to develop innovative solutions for precision gas analyzers, sample-handling components, and mobile measurement platforms. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of mechanical subsystems from concept through production while contributing to meaningful work that advances environmental, industrial, and scientific measurement technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and refine mechanical assemblies and subsystems for advanced analytical instrumentation

• Collaborate with electrical, optical, and systems engineering teams to ensure mechanical designs meet performance, manufacturability, and reliability targets

• Generate detailed 3D models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks with a focus on DfX principles (Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, Serviceability, and Reliability)

• Support product development through all phases, from concept and prototyping to production release, following the company’s New Product Introduction (NPI) process.

• Conduct design reviews, tolerance analyses, and performance validation to ensure robustness and compliance with product specifications

• Contribute to rapid prototyping and mechanical testing in collaboration with scientists and manufacturing engineers

• Participate in thermal, flow, and structural analyses (using FEA and CFD tools where applicable)

• Work with manufacturing and supply chain teams to transition designs into scalable production

• Maintain thorough documentation of designs, test results, and design changes in accordance with ISO/IEC standards

• Collaborate closely with external vendors to ensure optimal manufacturing processes

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (M.S. preferred) with 5+ years of relevant experience as a mechanical engineer

• Proficiency in SolidWorks for mechanical modeling and drawing generation

• Strong knowledge of material selection for component design

• Experience designing components for industrial or scientific instrumentation

• Working knowledge of thermal management, fluid/gas flow, and pressure stability principles

• Familiarity with FEA modeling, ergonomic/industrial design, and tolerance analysis (GD&T)

• Understanding of product development processes and best practices in mechanical design

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams

Preferred Experience

• Background in gas handling, precision machining, or instrument packaging• Familiarity with the usage of inert plastics and coatings

• Familiarity with rapid prototyping techniques and laboratory instrumentation

• Working knowledge of RF and EMI protection in packaging design

• Exposure to instrumentation for analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, or environmental sensing

• Experience supporting transition from engineering to manufacturing in a regulated production environment

Salary & Benefits

The base salary range for this full-time position is $130000 to $140000. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans

• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

• Employee Referral Program

• 401K

• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)

• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need analternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at [email protected] for assistance.