Mechanical Engineer
Second Order Effects started in 2016 as a services firm, taking on other companies’ hardest engineering problems from first principles. We grew into a solutions firm that designs and ships complete custom electronics and systems, including power electronics, RF, and control systems. Our designs control rocket engines, manage satellite communications, instrument fusion reactors, and are enjoyed by consumers around the world. We approach problems from first principles, breaking challenges down to their most fundamental components to find solutions that hold up across industries, use cases, and engineering functions. We focus on solving the right problems and building the teams to take them on, expecting every team member to participate in building up those around them. Recently, we’ve started spinning out our own concepts into separate companies focused on frontier technology, including space, fusion and fission energy, and advanced vehicles.
About the Role
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will support the design, architecture, and implementation of high-performance electro-mechanical systems across a diverse range of projects. You will work alongside a collaborative team of engineers to develop solutions for mission-critical challenges in industries such as aerospace, renewable energy, and medical devices. This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact and grow in a dynamic environment.
Responsibilities
- Support the design, architecture, and development of mechanical and electromechanical systems.
- Own the design, development, prototyping, and testing of mechanical and electromechanical subsystems and components, ensuring they meet all performance, quality, and safety standards.
- Work closely with internal engineering teams and external customers to build solutions across multiple industries (aerospace, renewable energy, medical devices, etc.).
- Perform complex mechanical assessments (structural, thermal, manufacturability, etc.), design and model complex integrated 3D assemblies, and produce robust component and assembly documentation.
- Assess design risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Requirements
- Able to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California.
- Eligible to work on ITAR projects.
- Bachelor's Degree (Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Math, or related field) or equivalent experience.
- Experience (internships and clubs count!) working with electro-mechanical systems, such as avionics, motor-driven mechanisms, robotics, or consumer electronics.
- Strong design and spatial reasoning skills, proficiency in CAD software (OnShape, Solidworks, or similar), and general understanding of GD&T frameworks.
- Proven ability to communicate cross-functionally and explain engineering concepts to nontechnical audiences or clients professionally.
- Strong problem-solving skills and initiative to drive technical execution, optimize designs, and deliver robust, scalable solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Comfort with working on ambiguous problems with moving targets and the ability to communicate the story of a project’s evolution from concept to final design.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in team-based design and build projects (e.g., Formula SAE, Solar Car, CubeSat, Rover Challenge, etc.).
- Exposure across multiple manufacturing processes such as machining, injection molding, and 3D printing.
- Proven ability to lead team-based design and project management, working across disciplines to drive technical execution.
- Strong analytical skills in back-of-the-envelope calculations, FEA, and CAD modeling for design validation.
- Ability to assess and estimate system response to environmental factors.
- Experience with structural and thermal testing of electro-mechanical assemblies.
Pay
- Mechanical Engineer I: $89,000 - $120,000
- Mechanical Engineer II: $115,000 - $161,000
- Equity (via ISOs) in Second Order Effects, Inc.
- Equity (via PIUs) in our incubated companies (through our holding company, Second Order Holdings, LLC).
Benefits
- 100% employer-paid health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employees + 50% dependent coverage.
- Flexible paid time off policy + 11 paid holidays + 12 paid sick days.
- 401(k) retirement account and employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%).
- Up to 22 weeks of paid parental leave dedicated to new child bonding.
- Relocation assistance available if 50+ miles away from the office.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) charging ports at our LAX office.
- Daily catered lunches, snacks, and accessible kitchen.