The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is building the future of sustainable lumber with next-generation sawmill technology. We design and operate state-of-the-art modular sawmills that produce high-grade dimensional wood products with greater efficiency and less waste. Backed by leading investors including Cantos, Slow Ventures, Susa Ventures, Banter Capital, Humba Ventures, and Ravelin Capital.
The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to co-own the development of our next-generation sawmill from the ground up. You will work in a small team of engineers and technicians, bringing senior technical judgment, hands-on design instincts, and the kind of launch experience that closes the gap between what's drawn and what works in the field. If you've spent your career at a large company doing iterative work on a mature platform and you're ready to own something from scratch, this is that opportunity.
This role is based in the Seattle area and is best suited for candidates who are already local or are excited to put down roots here, with frequent and regular travel to our Mississippi mill sites.
What You'll Do
Co-own the design and development of TLM's next-generation sawmill from concept through commissioning
Design complex mechanical systems integrating hydraulic, pneumatic, and sensor controls for lumber processing
Lead failure analysis and root cause investigations, driving corrective actions to full closure
Document design development and analysis; lead cross-functional brainstorming and design reviews
Author equipment installation and test procedures, and see them used in the field
Manage part procurement and vendor relationships through design, prototyping, and production
Engage and manage external vendors
Collaborate with on-site engineers and technicians in Mississippi on installation, testing, and field feedback
Provide regular updates to cross-functional partners across a distributed team
Adapt to changing priorities and support team and operational needs as they evolve
What We're Looking For
Required:
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or manufacturing engineering
Demonstrated experience taking complex physical products from concept to working hardware — zero-to-one, not incremental iteration on a mature platform
Hands-on background: you've worked in a shop, on a production floor, or directly alongside manufacturing at some point in your career
Strong experience with 3D CAD software; Autodesk Inventor is a bonus
Strong experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis on 2D drawings
Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Experience with finite element analysis
Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to working across a distributed team
Demonstrated ability to create and drive new processes independently
Comfortable working in an active production environment: at heights, with PPE
Willingness to travel 25-33% to our Mississippi mill sites and remain accessible outside standard hours for a cross-geography team
What would make you stand out:
Design experience in industries with large electromechanical or driven mechanical systems — powertrain, agricultural equipment, industrial automation, mining, oil and gas capital equipment, or heavy manufacturing
Experience working in a startup
Experience with FMEA or PFMEA in a real production or NPI context
PLC experience; indirect is fine
Sawmill or timber industry experience
Lean Six Sigma or equivalent process improvement background
The expected starting annual base salary for this position is $170,000. Our compensation and benefits package includes comprehensive health coverage, life insurance, and flexible time off. The applicable annual base salary paid to a successful applicant will be determined based on multiple factors, including but not limited to the nature and extent of prior experience and educational background.
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including:
100% employer-paid health coverage for employees and dependents (medical, dental, and vision)
100% employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage
Paid time off and company holidays
The opportunity to help build something from the ground up in an essential, evolving industry
Join our team as we modernize timber from forest to finished product.
The Lumber Manufactory is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
- 10+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or manufacturing engineering
- Demonstrated experience taking complex physical products from concept to working hardware
- Hands-on experience in a shop or production floor
- Strong experience with 3D CAD software; Autodesk Inventor is a bonus
- Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Experience with finite element analysis
- Excellent communication skills and collaborative approach
- Willingness to travel 25-33% to mill sites
The Lumber Manufactory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Lumber Manufactory and has not been reviewed or approved by The Lumber Manufactory.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, with postings stating 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, plus employer‑paid life and disability. This points to robust core medical and risk protection in the package.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off and company holidays are highlighted, with mentions of 15 PTO days in some contexts. This indicates a defined time‑off program beyond basic minimums.
-
Affordable Benefits — Employer‑paid health insurance is emphasized, implying low out‑of‑pocket premiums for employees and, where stated, for dependents. Such cost coverage can materially enhance total compensation even when base pay varies by role and location.
The Lumber Manufactory Insights
What We Do
The Lumber Manufactory is a venture-backed sustainable lumber startup focused on domestic wood processing and supply chain infrastructure. We're building modern manufacturing infrastructure to serve the housing and construction industries while supporting responsible forest management. Our first mill is running successfully and we're actively expanding into the Southeast region. We're backed by Cantos, Slow Ventures, Susa Ventures, Banter, Humba Ventures, and Ravelin Capital. We're solving a real supply chain problem: the US imports roughly one-third of its lumber. We're building mills to change that and become part of national infrastructure around wood processing and domestic supply. It's tied to housing, economic development, and responsible forestry management.
Why Work With Us
You'll work on infrastructure that matters. You see the impact of your work directly. We move fast, we care about excellence, and we're mission-driven. No corporate BS—just smart people solving real problems.
Gallery
