Mechanical Engineer Level 2

Immediate hire (updated Dec 12 2025) : Mechanical Engineer (Eng II)

About Phoenix Boring (see our LinkedIn posts for more info)

Phoenix Boring Inc. is revolutionizing underground infrastructure with innovative trenchless technologies that transform construction and address climate change challenges. We specialize in efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions for installing underground utilities like electricity, fiber, water, sewer, and gas lines. By replacing traditional open-cut excavation, we minimize disruption, reduce environmental impact, and lower costs.

With over a decade of expertise in the trenchless industry, our team has developed proprietary technologies such as the Assisted Dynamic Boring (ADB) platform, our impressive JetBore non-contact thermal spallation drilling (TSD) system, and the newly launched PyroHDD, a steerable, small-diameter multi-modal drilling head project sponsored by the Dept. of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Our adaptable, multi-tool trenchless solutions excel in urban and remote settings, reducing costs and expanding applications. Leveraging industry certifications and partnerships, we deliver exceptional results for public and private projects, including critical infrastructure in California.

Phoenix Boring Inc. is at the forefront of transforming the underground infrastructure industry, combining technical expertise with groundbreaking innovation. Join us as we lead the way to a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient future.

About the job

Come utilize your experience with complex mechanical/mechatronic packaging, manufacturing (including sheet metal, CNC, Additive Manufacturing), and critical reliability equipment/robotics to help execute “Aerospace Underground” at Phoenix Boring. Within 6 months, you’ll have helped us finish the design and initial testing for our next gen thermal boring tech, funded by DoE ARPA-E. Within 1 year, we’ll be testing that architecture and component design for a revolutionary boring system integrating that tech using experimental apparatus we have to design and build, and by 18 months we’ll be testing it under field conditions. During this time, on an intermittent basis, you’ll be tasked to support creation of new modules and accessories for our existing line-up of electric/hydraulic heavy equipment, with load ratings in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. Phoenix Boring is an always dynamic and challenging work environment where you can design the future but actually get your hands dirty along the way.

Job Duties

- Concepting: participate in rapid ideation, whiteboarding, storyboarding, and downselection

- Hardware Development: design, procure, and test mechanical and mechatronic systems

- Engineering Hand Calcs: provide inputs for trade studies, sizing studies, appropriate factors of safety based on context, and final detailed design of custom structures and actuators

- Create detailed designs in CAD and export appropriate files and drawings for manufacturing

- Prototyping: assemble and test prototypes to validate design concepts and functionality

- Manufacturing: perform design-for-manufacture assessment of own and peer designs

- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, mechanical engineers, and project managers

- Documentation: Keep good notes and prepare documentation for designs, including trade studies, design review slides, reference documents, and assembly/field guides

- Driven: take responsibility for high level, independent work in a fast-paced environment

- Troubleshooting: assist with resolving failures and operational issues with both R&D prototypes/tests and legacy tunnel boring equipment

Qualifications

- Must be US citizen or permanent greencard holder, due to government contract

- Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

- R&D/Start-up/Project experience: be able to adapt to a changing environment, design quickly, and understand the right time to transition from “good enough” to “production intent”

- CAD Proficiency (3+ yrs): Solidworks preferred, Autodesk or 3DX also relevant. - 3+ yrs of relevant engineering experience in one or more of the following areas: heavy equipment, aerospace, robotics, mechatronics, preferably towards high reliability/criticality hardware in an R&D or low volume production context

- Experienced in developing/testing mechanical systems that must integrate with controls

- Experience specifying and/or sourcing CNC machined and waterjet/lasercut components

- Ability to perform first principles engineering feasibility calculations relevant to mechanical, thermal, and pressurized fluids, without using FEA or AI

- Willingness to travel for conferences and/or field observation (training). Roughly 5% travel

- Will frequently: stand, walk, sit, use both hands, and carry/lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs.

Bonus Attributes (any one or more of these would be great, but are not necessary!)

- Experience with Additive Manufacturing, especially Metal Additive

- Experience with high temperature exhaust flows, e.g. turbines, rockets, industrial combustors

- Experience with geology, mining, tunneling, especially Tunnel Boring Machines

- Experience integrating firmware/software into mechatronic systems

- Exposure to complex systems requirements environments (aerospace, self-driving car, etc)

- FMEA and/or formal troubleshooting training or experience

- Experience with structural and/or thermal FEA and/or heat exchanger design/specification

Base salary

Mechanical Engineer (Eng II): $106,000/yr - $173,000/yr, depending on experience, possible equity

Benefits

- Location: San Francisco, CA 94124

- Beverages, snacks, lunch at the office

- Vision, Dental, and Healthcare

- Flexible PTO on top of 15+ company holidays per year

- 401k plan with employer matching

- Primarily in-office, but hybrid sometimes, when it makes sense to be.