Staff Mechanical Engineer, Precision Machine and Optomechanical Design

Foresite Labs (Stealth Co) • San Diego, CA

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About The Position

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will own the architecture and implementation of precision mechanical and optomechanical subsystems. You will work closely with optical, electrical, firmware, and systems engineers to translate performance requirements into stable, manufacturable hardware.
You are analytical and rigorous, comfortable building and defending error budgets, and equally comfortable in the lab assembling and debugging prototypes. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys precision engineering in real-world systems and wants meaningful technical ownership within a fast-moving startup.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 8–12+ years of experience in precision mechanical and optomechanical system design
• Demonstrated experience architecting complex precision systems, not just individual components
• Strong foundation in tolerance analysis, error budgeting, and GD&T
• Experience developing and defending analytical models for performance prediction
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Significant hands-on experience assembling and troubleshooting precision hardware

Nice To Haves

• Experience in bioinstrumentation, medical devices, microscopy, imaging systems, sequencing, or scientific instrumentation
• Experience with vibration isolation, thermal compensation strategies, and environmental robustness
• Deep familiarity with precision machining processes and vendor capability management
• Experience leading cross-functional technical design reviews
• Experience mentoring engineers

Responsibilities

• Precision Machine & Optomechanical System Design
• Develop and own system-level mechanical and optomechanical error budgets (thermal, vibration, alignment, drift, motion accuracy)
• Drive tolerance allocation across subsystems in collaboration with optics, electrical, and systems teams
• Own the design of optomechanical structures and alignment features with stable, repeatable optical mounting strategies accounting for thermal drift, vibration, and long-term stability
• Make principled tradeoffs between performance, cost, manufacturability, and schedule
• Analysis & Verification
• Analyze stiffness, deflection, modal response, and thermal expansion using analytical methods and FEA
• Perform hand calculations and simulations to predict performance
• Design validation strategies to verify stability, drift, and repeatability
• Lead root-cause investigations when performance gaps emerge
• Prototyping & Integration
• Lead subsystem bring-up and integration during early builds
• Develop alignment procedures and tooling strategies
• Maintain a strong hands-on presence in the lab during critical phases
• Manufacturing & Documentation
• Create detailed drawings with proper GD&T
• Drive DFM/DFA for precision assemblies
• Collaborate with vendors on machining processes, material selection, and tolerance capability

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level