Mechanical Engineer

About Optivolt

Optivolt’s mission is to overshoot humanity’s energy supply by reimagining solar.

America is at an inflection point. We need reliable energy fast. The grid is aging. And solar, the only technology that deploys quickly enough, is still constrained by technology frozen in time.

To close this gap, we build intelligent solar systems that think and adapt to real world conditions. Optivolt solar systems understand the sun, the weather, shading, harsh conditions, and optimize energy flow in real time. Every Optivolt panel is designed with an aerospace power electronics brain sealed inside to make solar more powerful and cost effective than ever in any condition.

The next step is putting it everywhere. In the home as Optivolt Home Solar and in the field as Optivolt Solar Fields. Hyper performant, controllable, reliable solar that works for everyone, everywhere.

Our Team & Traction

Optivolt is a team of some of the best builders and doers in the world, drawing from incredible talent pools in aerospace, electrical engineering, design-led organizations. We ultimately will win by designing and building the world’s best solar energy products.

But chiefly important, our organization is a lab for those devoted to solving some of the toughest problems in energy. Everyone is expected to contribute to the mission meaningfully. Clear communication, rapid iteration, and strong work ethic is the floor for anyone on our team.

To date we’ve shipped over 20,000 units and have companies worth billions of dollars relying on our solar architecture.

Why we are looking for you

As a Mechanical Engineer at Optivolt, you will design the physical systems that allow our intelligent solar technology to operate reliably outdoors for decades.

You will work across module-integrated power electronics and our Hub, owning enclosures, thermal management, mounting, packaging, and electromechanical integration from early prototypes through production.

What you’ll do

• Own the mechanical design of our products. Design enclosures, assemblies, mounting systems, and thermal solutions for the Hub and module-integrated hardware.
• Build the Hub for real-world installation. Develop Hub weatherproof packaging, battery integration, electronics mounting, connectors, cable routing, and service access.
• Package electronics inside the solar module. Design compact mechanical assemblies for integration with solar modules.
• Design for years outdoors. Own CAD models, drawings, tolerance analyses, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation.
• Take CAD into the lab. Develop designs for outdoor exposure, water ingress, thermal cycling, vibration, and long service life.
• Solve packaging and thermal challenges. Build prototypes and run mechanical, environmental, and thermal evaluations.
• Make installation and service easier. Integrate PCBs, batteries, connectors, and thermal interfaces with electrical engineering.
• Work directly with manufacturing. Work with suppliers on tooling, materials, assembly methods, and production readiness.
• Validate your designs in the real world. Improve product cost, assembly time, field installation, and serviceability.

What we’re looking for

• You have built physical products. 3+ years of hands-on mechanical product development experience.
• You are fluent in CAD. Strong SolidWorks or equivalent CAD proficiency.
• You understand electronics packaging. Experience designing electronics enclosures and electromechanical assemblies.
• You know how parts are made. Experience with injection molding, machining, sheet metal, or die casting.
• You can reason about heat and loads. Understanding of sealing, materials, thermal management, and mechanical reliability.
• You have taken designs into production. Experience with GD&T, tolerance stacks, DFM/DFA, and engineering drawings.
• You work well across disciplines. Ability to prototype, test, troubleshoot, and own designs through manufacturing.

Preferred skills

• Experience with IP-rated outdoor enclosures and battery systems.
• Familiarity with potting, encapsulation, adhesives, and electronics packaging.
• Experience with thermal simulation, FEA, and battery thermal management.
• Experience in solar, automotive, aerospace, or high-volume electronics.

Additional requirements

• Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support critical milestones
• Everyone at Optivolt is required to participate in on call support for customers
• Must be based in San Francisco, CA

Pay and benefits

The estimated starting base salary range for this role is $150K-210K depending on level, location and experience, plus a generous pre-IPO equity package

Other benefits include comprehensive health coverage, unlimited PTO, plus extra fun perks!