Mechanical Engineer III

Therm-x of California is growing its NPI Engineering group in Hayward, where a Mechanical Engineer III will spearhead mechanical design and 3D modeling for assemblies with thermal and mechanical performance requirements. You will build and test prototypes, collaborate closely with manufacturing and suppliers to ensure designs are producible, and guide early design decisions to drive manufacturability and cost effectiveness. This onsite role offers an annual salary range of USD 110,000 to 160,000.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer requirements including BOMs, 2D and 3D drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Develop mechanical designs and 3D models for new assemblies and product variants using SolidWorks, Inventor, or Solid Edge.
• Produce manufacturing drawings with pre-brazing/pre-welding details, GD&T callouts, and finished-part documentation.
• Author Operational Method Sheets that describe process flow, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Estimate part fabrication and assembly times and contribute to materials and labor cost estimates.
• Hands-on prototype construction and testing in collaboration with the prototype machinist, NPI technicians, and the production shop.
• Run prototype tests including thermal cycling, thermal uniformity, dimensional, and functional assessments; document results.
• Generate First Article Inspection (FAI) reports and manage ECR/ECO redlines through the change cycle.
• Monitor project timelines, costs, and risks; keep programs on budget and schedule, escalating when necessary.
• Engage on the shop floor, gathering input from machinists, operators, and quality teams, and feed this feedback into subsequent design revisions.
• Lead full mechanical design efforts for new product families, including stress and thermal analyses.
• Manage supplier interfaces for machined and brazed components; negotiate cost and delivery to meet requirements.
• Conduct formal design reviews and contribute to customer proposals and technical content.
• Mentor Level I and II engineers, reviewing drawings and FAIs prior to release.
• Develop and maintain reusable design libraries, templates, and analysis methods to accelerate the team's work.

Requirements

• Strong 3D modeling skills in SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or Solid Edge, including assemblies, configurations, and GD&T drawings.
• Ability to read and interpret assembly drawings, blueprints, and basic electrical schematics.
• Thermal application experience such as heater systems, temperature sensing, or thermal management; familiarity with brazing, welding, and ceramics is a plus.
• Clear written communication for drawings, FAIs, and technical memos.
• Proven project management discipline with weekly tracking of schedule, cost, and risk.
• Hands-on by default; comfortable wearing safety glasses while working on a CNC mill, lathe, or assembly bench.
• Collaborative approach with machinists, operators, purchasing, and customers; shop-floor feedback is valued as input.
• Curious and quick to learn, capable of building a deep understanding of Therm-x products and their use in customer tools.
• Thermal and structural FEA experience, with COMSOL preferred for thermal analysis and ANSYS or Inventor Stress acceptable for mechanical analysis.
• Electrical drafting capability is a plus, with AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent preferred.
• Working knowledge of SPC, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and 8D problem solving.
• Ability to lead design reviews and mentor junior engineers.

Technologies

• SolidWorks
• Autodesk Inventor
• Solid Edge
• Inventor Stress
• COMSOL
• ANSYS
• AutoCAD Electrical

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package

Physical Demands

The duties of this role require regular standing and walking, plus the use of hands for handling, reaching, and manipulating tools and parts. The work may involve climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, and occasional lifting up to 30 pounds. Prolonged use of safety equipment and exposure to shop environments is typical.