Senior Mechanical Engineer — Los Angeles, CA (In-Office)

About ErthSearch

ErthSearch is a recruitment agency specializing in placing top talent at ClimateTech startups and scaleups in the US. 

We believe the need for the right people is core to building a successful venture, and failure is not an option in the climate fight. 

The challenge: recruitment fees are often prohibitive. We are here to change that. Our cost model is transparent and affordable, so you can get the best talent on the market without it costing you an arm and a leg. 

Reach out if you want a genuine hiring partner – not another mercenary.

About Our Client

ErthSearch is partnering with Framework, a venture-backed (>$10M raised) startup reindustrializing America by building the first fully automated apparel manufacturing facilities in the United States.

By combining machine intelligence with advanced robotics, Framework is collapsing the labor costs that drove manufacturing overseas 50 years ago. With American-grown cotton and the world’s lowest industrial energy costs, they are proving that local production can beat Asian manufacturing on cost, speed, and sustainability. 

This is a lean, high-octane team of 8 people backed by Tier 1 investors, ready to scale from prototype to multi-billion dollar operations.

The Role

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be a founding team member responsible for the "once-in-a-career build" of a software-defined factory. You will report directly to the founder and own the physical architecture of the factory floor.

This isn't a "desk-only" job; the factory floor is your living lab. You will design, prototype, and integrate the robotic cells and custom automation that handle textiles—one of the most difficult materials to automate. We are looking for a "Unicorn Engineer" with high-agency energy who thrives in a "hardcore mode" environment and is obsessed with seeing their designs move robots in real-time.

Qualifications & Skills

Required

• Experience: 5+ years of 3D CAD and manufacturing experience (SolidWorks or NX preferred).
• Rapid Prototyping: Proven track record in same-day custom build environments—taking ideas from low-fidelity mockups to iterative CAD/CAM flow.
• Lifecycle Ownership: Experience taking hardware from initial prototype through to full production, including procuring the BOM and managing suppliers.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Deep understanding of machining, forming, assembly, and custom fixture/jig design.
• Technical Breadth: Proficiency in AutoCAD tools (Fusion 360, Revit) and exposure to simulation software (FEA or CFD).
• Hands-on Mastery: Comfortable working with various materials (metals, plastics, composites) and integrating pneumatics, fluid flow, or sensors into mechanical designs.

Nice to Have

• Experience with robotic cell or CNC programming.
• Familiarity with rendering tools (Rhino, SketchUp, Blender).
• Background in Manufacturing Engineering (OEE, cycle time analysis, Continuous Improvement).
• Previous experience at high-growth hardware companies (e.g., Tesla, Rivian, Anduril).

Why Framework?

• Mission with Impact: Reshore American manufacturing and eliminate the massive carbon footprint of global apparel supply chains.
• True Ownership: You aren't a cog in the machine; you are building the machine. You steer the technical roadmap and shape the culture.
• Tangible Output: Real revenue starts in two months; you will see the immediate physical result of your engineering every day.
• Unmatched Growth: Join a founding team that is already attracting multi-billion dollar opportunities in their pipeline.

Benefits & Comp

• Base Salary: $150,000 – $200,000.
• Equity: Significant equity ownership in a high-growth startup.
• Environment: A culture of optimists and doers who take calculated risks.
• Location: 5 days a week in the Los Angeles office (no travel required).

Note: [Visa Situation] This role requires US-Working Rights—the company is unable to sponsor visa transfers at this time.

Application

If you are interested in this role and believe you have the required experience (ie, "unicorn energy" and DFM expertise), apply today.

If you have any problems applying, you can reach out to Silas@erthsearch.com with your updated resume and a brief note on why you’re a good fit.