Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in San Jose, CA
Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in San Jose are in strong demand, concentrated in North San Jose, the Alviso industrial corridor, and the downtown tech core, across semiconductor equipment, defense electronics, and medical device manufacturing. Employers hiring right now include Bloom Energy, Cisco, and Veeco. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
About the Role
Special Programs is Archer's rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts. We operate as a small, empowered group capable of moving quickly across disciplines — from early technical assessment of new opportunities through hands-on design, analysis, and prototype development.
The Lead Special Programs Engineer – Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Deployment brings deep expertise in mechanical design, manufacturing, and deployment as their organic core competency — mechanisms, actuation, and packaging for prototype systems, plus the manufacturing and fielding approach that gets them into the field.
What You'll Do
- Lead mechanical design and analysis for prototype systems, including mechanisms, actuation, launch/release hardware, and packaging/integration
- Lead manufacturing and build planning for prototype hardware, including design-for-manufacturability, fabrication approach, and production readiness
- Support deployment and fielding of prototype systems, including logistics, handling, and field-support considerations
- Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept sketches through detailed design, fabrication support, and test
- Own the mechanical design, manufacturing, and deployment discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and methods used across the program's work in these areas
- Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require
- Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it
- Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints
- Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions
- Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders
What You'll Need
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
- Demonstrated experience in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace or defense hardware, including mechanisms and packaging/integration
- Demonstrated experience or strong familiarity with manufacturing processes, design-for-manufacturability, and build/production planning
- Familiarity with launch, release, or handling mechanism design, and with deployment/fielding logistics, a plus
- Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle — concept through prototype — in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
- Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements
- Comfort operating as a generalist when needed — willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs
- Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure
- 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
What Makes This Role Different
This isn't a seat on Archer's core mechanical design, manufacturing and deployment team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it — from early opportunity evaluation to hands-on prototype work across disciplines. You'll have significant technical ownership and autonomy, working in a small team built to move fast on some of Archer's most forward-looking defense efforts.
At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $138,200 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
About the Role
Special Programs is Archer's rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts. We operate as a small, empowered group capable of moving quickly across disciplines — from early technical assessment of new opportunities through hands-on design, analysis, and prototype development.
The Lead Special Programs Engineer – Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Deployment brings deep expertise in mechanical design, manufacturing, and deployment as their organic core competency — mechanisms, actuation, and packaging for prototype systems, plus the manufacturing and fielding approach that gets them into the field.
What You'll Do
- Lead mechanical design and analysis for prototype systems, including mechanisms, actuation, launch/release hardware, and packaging/integration
- Lead manufacturing and build planning for prototype hardware, including design-for-manufacturability, fabrication approach, and production readiness
- Support deployment and fielding of prototype systems, including logistics, handling, and field-support considerations
- Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept sketches through detailed design, fabrication support, and test
- Own the mechanical design, manufacturing, and deployment discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and methods used across the program's work in these areas
- Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require
- Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it
- Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints
- Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions
- Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders
What You'll Need
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
- Demonstrated experience in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace or defense hardware, including mechanisms and packaging/integration
- Demonstrated experience or strong familiarity with manufacturing processes, design-for-manufacturability, and build/production planning
- Familiarity with launch, release, or handling mechanism design, and with deployment/fielding logistics, a plus
- Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle — concept through prototype — in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
- Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements
- Comfort operating as a generalist when needed — willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs
- Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure
- 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
What Makes This Role Different
This isn't a seat on Archer's core mechanical design, manufacturing and deployment team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it — from early opportunity evaluation to hands-on prototype work across disciplines. You'll have significant technical ownership and autonomy, working in a small team built to move fast on some of Archer's most forward-looking defense efforts.
At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $138,200 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
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Find JobsMechanical Design Engineer Job Market in San Jose
Who's Hiring
- Bloom Energy41
- Cisco20
- Veeco20
- archer20
- Mashgin20
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing41
- Science & Research20
- Technology & Software20
- Electronics & Hardware20
Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in San Jose: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical design engineer job in San Jose?
Focus on the sectors that drive San Jose hiring: semiconductor capital equipment, aerospace and defense contractors, and medical device firms clustered in North San Jose and along the Alviso waterfront. Hands-on CAD proficiency in SolidWorks or CATIA, experience with tolerance analysis, and familiarity with clean-room or high-reliability manufacturing standards give candidates a clear edge in this market over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire mechanical design engineers in San Jose?
Employers hiring mechanical design engineers in San Jose right now include Bloom Energy, Cisco, and Veeco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Jose's base of semiconductor equipment makers, defense systems integrators, and precision medical device manufacturers means hiring tends to favor engineers with specialized hardware and manufacturing backgrounds.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer jobs in San Jose?
Yes, but only partially, mechanical design engineering is inherently hands-on, with lab access, prototype builds, and hardware testing keeping most roles on-site. About 40% of mechanical design engineer openings tied to San Jose are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those flexible arrangements tend to cover documentation, CAD modeling, and design review work rather than full roles.
How can I get a mechanical design engineer job in San Jose with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Jose is through co-op or internship programs at semiconductor equipment companies in North San Jose, which regularly hire students and recent graduates for hands-on design support roles. Contract-to-hire positions at local defense and aerospace firms are another strong option. Building a portfolio with SolidWorks projects, tolerance stackup examples, or personal hardware builds helps you stand out to San Jose hiring managers reviewing entry-level applicants.
Which industries hire the most mechanical design engineers in San Jose?
Most mechanical design engineer openings in San Jose sit in Manufacturing, Science & Research, and Technology & Software, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Jose's role as the core of Silicon Valley's hardware ecosystem means semiconductor capital equipment and precision manufacturing consistently generate the highest concentration of openings for this role locally.
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