Mechanical Design Engineer University of California Los Angeles

Department Summary

The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM translates pioneering carbon management solutions from the laboratory bench-scale to pre-commercial/commercial-scale devices, prototypes, and software solutions. ICM's activities span two major focus areas: (1) Technologies for carbon dioxide removal, utilization, and avoidance, and (2) Technologies for creating new supply chains, and processing approaches for critical materials and elements (e.g., Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo) that are foundational to accelerating the clean energy transition, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of extractive processes. ICM is organized into action teams that are convergent, agile, and world-class. These action teams have enabled ICM-born technologies to be awarded the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, the 2021 Liveability Challenge, the 2023 Time Magazine Best in Sustainability Technology, and the 2023 Grand Award Winner of the Engineering category by Popular Science magazine, among others. ICM's technologies are now being commercialized via spin-out companies including CarbonBuilt Inc., Concrete-AI Inc., and Equatic Inc.
Position Summary

ICM is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead cost-reduction efforts for a complex and unique electrochemical hardware system used in seawater electrolysis for atmospheric CO? removal and hydrogen production. The goal is to drive down cost through intelligent design while maintaining system performance metricsprioritizing manufacturability, part reduction, and ease of assembly.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications

3 or more years Mechanical design experience focused on cost and manufacturability (Required)

Experience in finite element analysis and mechanical simulation (Required)

Experience reducing part count and improving mechanical integration across subsystems (Required)

Experience managing relationships with international and domestic suppliers (Required)

Experience designing for corrosive or chemically aggressive environments (Preferred)

Expertise in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and trade-offs (Required)

Fluency in CAD and design documentation best practices (Required)

Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, sealing, tolerancing, and assembly design (Required)

Exposure to electrochemical or energy systems (Preferred)

Background in assembly process design or cost modeling (Preferred)

Passion for climate technology and practical engineering innovation (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Schedule

9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Union/Policy Covered

TX-Systemwide Technical
Complete Position Description