Mechanical Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA remote Until 8/21/2026 First posted March 18, 2026 Last posted March 18, 2026
Job description

About the Team:

Born at X, Google's Moonshot Factory, Taara is on a mission to connect billions of people lacking abundant and affordable internet today by pioneering the way we use light to deliver faster, cheaper, more reliable connectivity. Lead the charge in bringing our groundbreaking wireless optical communication and photonics chip technologies to the world. Drive our growth story as we scale innovative solutions across the world. Join us to light the way for bridging the digital divide and illuminating the future.

About the Role:

Taara is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with experience in the design, modeling, fabrication, and validation of mechanical components for the next generation of Wireless Optical Communication (WOC) terminals.

Candidates should have experience in designing complex outdoor products from concept to volume product. The candidate will work closely across teams and support integration of custom silicon photonics, opto-mechanical assemblies and precision steering mechanisms. This is an exciting & dynamic technical leadership position where you will explore, pathfind and define key elements for our next generation WOC architecture options.

The position seeks highly-motivated individuals that enjoy working in a small dynamic team environment, with a passion for solving challenging problems that can lead to high-impact advances in technology.

How you’ll make 10x impact

  • Deliver the mechanical foundation for the next generation wireless optical communication technology by solving challenges in the environmental, materials, and thermal management disciplines.

  • Solve thermo-mechanical system and integrated circuit packaging challenges by providing production solutions

  • Drive reliability and quality testing for Telcordia outdoor equipment including thermal, shock and vibration

  • Provide input to the manufacturing team and partners to ramp up to production quantities.

What you should have:

  • BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, with 4+ years of relevant work experience or a degree in Engineering with relevant 8+ years of experience

  • 3+ years of experience in one of the mainstream 3D mechanical engineering CAD/Simulation software programs (CREO, NX, etc) with proficiency in Solidworks or equivalent

  • 3+ years experience in 3D mechanical engineering design & drawings

  • 1+ years experience with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)

  • 1+ years experience in finite-element analysis to evaluate thermally-induced stresses and structural modes

  • 1+ years experience documenting hardware specifications Proficiency in BOM management and document control

  • Self driven analytical problem solver

  • Strong written and verbal presentation skills, and extreme attention to detail

  • Humility and eagerness to learn

It’d be great if you also had these:

  • Masters in Mechanical Engineering or Physics, with 6+ years of relevant experience

  • Hands-on practical experience with designing agile, light-weight, compact, and high-accuracy pointing mechanism with consideration for DFM

  • Background with MES and Arena or Agile PLM; Tooling and processes for volume production of hardware

  • Experience working with contract manufacturers

  • Familiarity with reliability and test engineering, vibe testing protocols, waterproof testing protocols, various types of seals

  • Proficiency with injection molding plastics and/or die-cast metals

  • Designed or integrated various types of sensors and actuators

  • Proficiency with maker skills, CNC, mill, lathe, soldering, opto-mechanical integration

  • Experience with advanced thermal management systems e.g., metamaterials, thermo-electric, and phase change materials

  • Knowledge of packaging of photonic integrated circuits (PICs)

  • Experience with outdoor product preferred

  • Experience in a startup environment

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $160,000-$210,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

About this role

Summary

Design, model, validate mechanical components for wireless optical communication devices.

Job title

Mechanical Design Engineer

Experience level

4+ years or 8+ years depending on degree

Industry

technology

Location requirements

Sunnyvale, CA; remote work not specified

Salary

The US base salary range for this **full-time position is $160,000-$210,000 + bonus + equity + benefits.

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

CADSolidworksGD&Tfinite-element analysisBOM management

Preferred skills

thermal managementphotonic circuitsoutdoor product experiencereliability testingagile production

Specializations

mechanical designthermo-mechanicaloptical communicationCADthermal management
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Sunnyvale, CA, USA

On-site City