Mechanical Engineer

Director of Operations & Chief of Staff | Former Co-Founder of Skipcart (Acquired by 7-Eleven) | Leica Camera Connoisseur

Helix Earth (Houston, TX 77004) is a rapidly growing startup on a mission to combat climate change by transforming the way we cool our planet and is transforming the way we do carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). We're looking for exceptional talent to join our journey. Born from innovations originally designed for NASA's space exploration, our groundbreaking solutions are now being adapted to revolutionize air conditioning energy efficiency and in addition are being used to pioneer revolutionary CCS technologies.

If you're eager to contribute to a greener future and be part of a team that's shaping the forefront of sustainable technology, then Helix Earth is the perfect place for you to make a difference. Join us in creating a cooler, cleaner planet for generations to come.

Helix Earth is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, who will report directly to the Engineering Manager and Lead Engineer. The position will be onsite and located at our Houston, TX offices.

• You are a hands‑on mechanical engineer who brings rigor and creativity to subsystem development from concept through pre‑production.
• You thrive in fast‑paced startup environments—designing, building, and iterating quickly to deliver robust, reliable hardware.
• You have a strong grasp of fundamentals (mechanics, materials, heat transfer, fluids) and use structured methods like design of experiments (DOE) to drive decisions.
• You are fluent in modern computer‑aided design (CAD) tools (Solid Works or equivalent) and comfortable taking designs into the shop to prototype and test.
• You collaborate naturally across electrical, controls, and manufacturing teams to integrate subsystems cleanly and on schedule.

• Support prototype builds, including part procurement, supplier sourcing, assembly, 3D printing, and hands‑on fabrication.
• Set up and conduct various tests on components, prototypes, or materials (e.g., stress, vibration, performance, and chemical testing) to validate designs and analyze performance.
• Configure and instrument prototypes with thermocouples, RTDs, pressure sensors, flow meters, humidity sensors, and DAQ systems.
• Diagnose mechanical failure, identify RCA, and execute quick design revisions.
• Conduct FMEA/risk reviews, implement mitigations, and verify via testing.
• Create detailed engineering drawings (including proper use of GD&T), Bills of Materials (BOMs), assembly instructions, and quality inspection protocols; maintain version control and document updates throughout development using PDM.
• Work with electrical, firmware, chemical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated system solutions.
• Bridge prototype‑to‑product transition by refining designs for manufacturability (DFM), coordinating with suppliers and contract manufacturers, and supporting early production builds.
• Collaborate with vendors on tooling, fabrication methods, and cost/lead‑time optimization.
• Drive sourcing and supplier communication to ensure materials, components, and custom parts meet cost, quality, and lead‑time targets.
• Support pilot builds, work instruction and SOP development, and factory/supplier bring‑up.

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 1–5 years of experience in mechanical design, prototyping, or product development (startup or fast‑paced environment preferred).
• Proficiency in CAD software is required (i.e. Solid Works).
• Knowledge of engineering principles like heat transfer, solid mechanics, and materials selection is a must.
• Ability to perform fundamental engineering calculations and interpret technical data.
• Demonstrated experience with DOE (design of experiments), prototyping, and structured validation testing.
• Experience with hands‑on fabrication: 3D printing, machining, assembling prototypes, and using common shop tools.
• Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and experience preparing designs for manufacturing.

Nice to have:
Experience with HVAC systems, previous involvement in NPI, exposure to regulatory or safety standards (UL, CE, ASME, etc.), understanding of reliability testing, environmental testing.

• Competitive compensation package with equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work schedule.
• Opportunity to shape cutting‑edge sustainable technology with real‑world impact.
• Collaborative, mission‑driven culture with direct exposure to leadership.
• Career growth potential in a rapidly scaling startup.

NO RECRUITERS PLEASE

Houston, TX $-$ 1 week ago