Principal Mechanical Engineer

Germfree is seeking an exceptional mechanical staff engineer to serve as the company's technical authority for airflow, containment, and mechanical systems across our pharmacy, cleanroom, and isolator product portfolio. This is a senior individual contributor role designed for an engineer who wants to solve complex technical challenges, influence product strategy, and shape the future of our technology—without pursuing a traditional people management career path.

About the role

This role offers the rare opportunity to own an entire engineering discipline. You will define the mechanical and airflow architecture for our next generation of pharmacy compounding hoods, aseptic isolators, containment systems, and cleanroom technologies while driving innovation, product standardization, supplier strategy, and long-term technology roadmaps. Your work will directly influence product performance, manufacturability, supply chain resilience, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

• Mechanical architecture for pharmacy hoods and isolator platforms
• Airflow and containment system design
• Fan, blower, and HEPA filtration technology
• Pressure-control strategies
• Product platform standardization
• Technical supplier selection and qualification
• Engineering standards and design guidelines
• New technology evaluation and integration

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of next-generation pharmacy and containment products.
• Develop scalable product platforms that improve performance, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Solve complex airflow, filtration, and mechanical design challenges.
• Evaluate and qualify new technologies and strategic suppliers.
• Partner with manufacturing to improve quality, cost, and throughput.
• Support product verification, validation, and field performance improvements.
• Mentor engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, and problem solving.

This is a technical leadership and fellow role—not a direct people management position—designed to allow you to do what you do best: design great systems and products.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
• 10+ years of product development experience involving engineered equipment or capital equipment
• Expertise in mechanical system design, sheet metal, welded assemblies, and rotating equipment
• Strong understanding of airflow, pressure-drop analysis, and mechanical integration
• Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD (Solid Edge or SolidWorks preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical initiatives across cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Pharmacy compounding equipment
• Aseptic isolators
• Biological Safety Cabinets
• Cleanroom systems
• Medical devices and equipment (robotic surgery)
• Pharmaceutical equipment
• Air handling equipment
• HEPA filtration systems
• EC fan technology
• CFD or airflow simulation
• Design verification and validation

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 12–18 months, you will:

• Define the next-generation airflow platform for Germfree products.
• Qualify alternate suppliers for critical airflow components and reduce sole-source risk.
• Standardize mechanical architectures across multiple product families.
• Improve product performance, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Establish engineering standards that support long-term product growth and innovation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Optional pet insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee referral bonuses
• Shoe and prescription safety-glasses reimbursements
• 80 hours of paid holidays, including year-end shutdown
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Two paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) days annually
• Paid paternity leave after one year

Schedule

Full-time in a production environment.

Techniques

• 3D CAD
• Solid Edge
• SolidWorks
• CFD
• Airflow simulation