Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Lava is a climate-tech startup turning breakthrough isothermal heat-engine and heat-pump R&D into real-world megawatts. Our systems pair record thermal efficiency with factory-ready manufacturability, unlocking clean power where it matters most.

Role Overview and Key Responsibilities:

We're looking for highly skilled and results-oriented Mechanical Engineer with proven experience in designing, developing, and managing mechanical systems and components across industries. Known for solving complex engineering challenges, improving system performance, and delivering cost-efficient and sustainable solutions.

• Own end-to-end mechanical design of heat exchangers, turbomachinery and pressure assemblies (pumps, impellers, seals, shafts, skids, piping) using SolidWorks.
• Design of large systems for full scale mass production machines.
• Participate in planning optimization of production scale-up
• Translate specs into hardware that hits performance, cost and DFX targets.
• Mentor & upskill junior engineers. Guide design reviews, teach advanced SolidWorks/PDM workflows, and set the quality bar.
• Lead tolerance stacks, material selection, and supplier engagement (machining, casting, welding, additive manufacturing).
• Guide production scale-up and interface with global vendors.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, vendors, and manufacturing partners to ensure fit-for- designs under challenging conditions.

Key Requirements:

• B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (major university; cum laude preferred).
• 7+ years end-to-end mechanical design of rotating/pressure equipment in turbomachinery, power, or thermal systems for industrial environments.
• SolidWorks + PDM expert: large assemblies; release-grade 2D drawings, GD&T and tolerance stacks (Advantage: experience in surface design).
• DFX leadership, material & process selection; design for machining, casting, sheet metal, welding, additive manufacturing and quality control.
• Hands-on with vendors & subcontractors: define work packages, track progress, close processes; prototype builds and rapid, data-driven iterations.
• Fluent English, written and spoken.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with heat engines, ORC systems, or similar energy conversion systems.
• Familiarity with CE/ASME standards, ATEX/Zone 2, Machinery directive and PED.
• Integration with control systems, instrumentation, test rigs; commissioning/field practices.
• Thrives working in a dynamic environment with new problems, fast paced projects where out-of-the-box thinking is required

What We Offer

• Opportunity to build and scale novel clean energy technologies.
• Work closely with world-class energy partners and researchers.
• Hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge isothermal technology.
• A creative, driven, and supportive startup environment.