Senior Mechanical Research Engineer

Gridware's mission is to create a future where power outages and electric grid hazards (think wildfire ignition) are a thing of the past. We provide a truly full-stack (hardware + firmware + software) solution for the real time monitoring of America’s critical infrastructure. The system centers around low-cost hardware platforms that are easily and permanently deployed to power poles. The platform detects and predicts physical fault phenomena, expedites repairs during power outages, and helps utilities demonstrate risk reduction to regulators through comprehensive asset health profiles.

Gridware's technology is designed to unlock essential values for other adjacent verticals. Our unique positioning allows us to solve some of the world's most burning challenges -- from helping policy makers make data-driven infrastructure decisions to helping farmers overcome micro-climate challenges. While others turn a blind eye to these aged and highly-regulated industries, we at Gridware believe it's our duty to find win-for-all scenarios that lead to a prosperous future for coming generations.

Gridware is a privately-held, YC-backed company with funding from some of the best climate & hard tech investors in the world.

Role Description

Gridware is seeking a creative and fast-paced mechanical research engineer to join our growing team. At Gridware, you will be responsible for evaluating and developing novel sensing technologies for incorporation in our flagship embedded product. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of solid/fluid mechanics, CAD and rapid prototyping/fabrication, and linear control systems.

Responsibilities

This is what you’ll be doing:

• Prototype solid state physical sensing systems for detecting complex electromechanical phenomena
• Build data acquisition and physical experimentation infrastructure
• Conduct literature reviews and research on electronic sensing technologies
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, electrical engineers and product managers

Required Skills

These skills are essential for this job and only applicants who have all of these will move forward in the application process:

• 4+ years of prototyping, fabrication experience, additive & subtractive manufacturing
• 4+ years of professional experience in CAD and FEM/FEA
• 4+ years of quantitative modeling and analysis experience in python
• Experience with enclosure & mechanism design. Applicants should be able to spec and assemble fixtures, rigging, and environmental test setups.
• Strong fundamentals in classical physics

Most relevant to people with degrees in:

• Mechanical Engineering

Application

Although we do not require candidates to submit a cover letter, candidates who wish to have their application stand out are invited to write a cover letter outlining one or all of the following things in a bullet-point format:

• Where you have acquired the required skills
• Which (if any) of the bonus skills you have and where you acquired them
• Why you are interested in this role

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits that help employees to thrive and grow. These benefits include:

• Flexible starting hours to reduce commute
• Health Insurance = We cover 100% of Gold and Platinum health insurance plan premiums and up to $800 of plan premiums for dependents.
• Dental & Vision = We also cover 100% of the premiums of an excellent Dental and Vision Plan and 100% of the premiums for one dependent.
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401K
• Free parking and a commuter allowance

Gridware is an equal-opportunity employer. We want applicants of diverse backgrounds and hire without regard to color, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Gridware is currently located in Walnut Creek but will be headquartered in San Francisco starting January 2025.