Mechanical Engineer in San Diego, California at Tecnova Advanced Systems, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer II/III

Location: San Diego, CA
Department: Engineering
Job Type: Full-time

Summary

Tecnadyne designs and builds equipment for use in demanding subsea environments, including underwater propulsion units, motion systems, and other specialized assemblies. We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer who can take ownership of designs from concept through detailed design and into the shop, and who is equally comfortable driving new product development and improving existing products. This role leads technical work on components and assemblies used in subsea applications, partners closely with engineering, production, purchasing, and quality personnel, and provides mentorship and technical guidance to less-experienced team members.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead mechanical designs for underwater systems and related hardware, from concept through detailed 3D models and released documentation, making key architecture and component-level decisions.
• Prepare and maintain engineering deliverables such as models, prints, parts lists, and supporting documentation for production and field use.
• Perform engineering analysis, including hand calculations and computer-based methods such as FEA, to confirm that parts and assemblies will withstand expected loads, pressures, and operating conditions, and to optimize designs.
• Define requirements and lead design reviews and technical discussions for both standard products and custom projects, setting direction and resolving technical trade-offs.
• Support the build, assembly, and testing of prototypes and production units by working closely with technicians and production staff on the shop floor.
• Lead root-cause investigations of fit, function, and reliability issues on existing designs; drive practical design updates and corrective actions through to implementation.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams when questions arise on materials, fabrication methods, or inspection criteria.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, and help drive improvements to internal processes for documentation, product release, and continuous improvement activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Approximately 3-8 years of relevant engineering experience in an industrial, product development, or similar environment, with a track record of owning designs through release.
• Proficiency with modern 3D CAD tools to create and manage parts, assemblies, and associated documentation in a professional setting.
• Solid working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis, including applying dimensional requirements on prints and understanding how feature variation affects overall fit and function.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear technical notes, summaries, or reports describing design intent, test results, or investigation findings.
• Hands-on experience in a production or workshop environment, collaborating directly with machinists, fabricators, or assemblers and building or bringing up hardware.
• Experience working within an organization that uses structured procedures, part numbering, and documented methods for controlling changes to products.
• Working knowledge of process-improvement concepts and a demonstrated ability to streamline how work flows from engineering through manufacturing.

Preferred Attributes

• A track record of professional projects in which you designed, built, tested, and iterated on mechanical systems such as vehicles, mechanisms, or automated devices.
• Experience with electromechanical devices that combine mechanical components with motors, sensors, wiring, and control hardware.
• Comfortable using common hand tools and measurement tools during assembly support and troubleshooting activities.
• Strong mechanical intuition, curiosity about how things are made, and a willingness to dig into failures or unexpected behavior to find root causes.
• Ability to independently own projects from start to finish while communicating effectively and influencing decisions within a small, multi-disciplinary team.
• Proficiency with standard office software for documentation, presentations, and basic data analysis.

Why Tecnadyne

• 401(k) match with immediate 100% vesting, no waiting period
• Up to $2,400/year employer HSA contribution
• $0 deductible medical plan
• Employer-paid base medical and dental premiums
• Tuition assistance for job-related education

Work Hours

Standard schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Physical Demands

• Able to frequently sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach within arm's length, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear.
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods and use typical office equipment such as a computer, phone, and printer.
• Able to periodically lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

$110,000 to $150,000; a higher range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

Benefits

• 401(k) with immediate 100% vesting on employer match
• Medical and dental plan, employer-paid at the base level
• HSA contribution up to $2,400/year on HSA-compatible plans
• Flexible benefits plan (vision, FSA, commuter benefits)
• Tuition assistance program
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation