Mechanical Engineer

Job description

## Making the Metals Powering the World Solcoa is building the next generation of American metalmaking, starting with rare earths — the metals of power and motion. We've developed a new chemistry that converts rare earth oxides into high-purity metals — the materials inside every EV, fighter jet, wind turbine, and data center — cleaner, cheaper, and faster than any conventional process. Now we're scaling it to thousands of tonnes of annual production. ## The Role We’re looking for a hands-on mechanical engineer to design, prototype, and scale the next generation of our rare-earth reactors. You’ll own designs from concept through commissioning, working closely with machinists and researchers to turn ideas into operating systems. ## Levels & Compensation We’re hiring across multiple levels, with scope and compensation based on demonstrated engineering ability and experience delivering working hardware. - Mechanical Engineer — $120,000–$175,000: Own reactor subsystems, taking designs through fabrication, assembly, testing and commissioning. - Senior Mechanical Engineer — $175,000–$210,000: Lead complex equipment designs, resolve thermal, vacuum and materials challenges, and coordinate delivery across engineers, machinists and vendors. - Staff Mechanical Engineer — $210,000–$250,000: Set the mechanical architecture for reactor systems, lead major scale-up decisions, and establish engineering standards across projects. All levels are hands-on and include stock options. ## What You’ll Do - Architect, model, and draw reactor subsystems (thermal, vacuum, materials handling) in CAD (Fusion). - Specify components, tolerances, and materials for high-temperature, corrosive, and vacuum environments. - Build and iterate prototypes; run experiments; analyze data to drive design decisions. - Author procedures, test plans, and safety/operating documentation. - Collaborate with fabrication partners; support continuous improvement. ## What You Bring ### Required - Proficiency in CAD (Fusion). - Hands-on experience with metal machining and shop tools. - Experience with high-temperature systems and/or vacuum hardware. - Detail-orientation and precise technical execution. - Comfort working independently in a fast-paced, build-measure-learn environment. - Availability to start soon. ### Preferred - Coursework or experience in chemistry or physics (thermo, materials, reaction engineering, or similar). ## Compensation & Benefits - Competitive base salary. - Generous stock options. - Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance. - Company-provided lunch daily. - Visa sponsorship available if needed.