Mechanical Engineer

Position Title: Mechanical Engineer

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting opportunity for a Mechanical Engineer located in South San Francisco, CA.

Job Description:

• Our client is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to contribute to mechanical integration programs, mating robotic arms and heavy payloads to 10,000 lb skid-steer and tracked vehicle platforms.
• You will help take systems from prototype to repeatable field deployment, tackling heavy-duty structural mounting, load paths, power/data routing, and environmental ruggedization for active construction sites.
• You will work closely with cross-functional teams, machine shops, and field crews to ensure the hardware survives continuous outdoor duty cycles from sub-zero winters to desert heat.

Job Responsibilities:

• Mechanical Integration: Assist in executing mechanical integration programs that mate robotic arms and payloads to heavy mobile base platforms (skid-steers and tracked vehicles)—handling structural mounting, load paths, power/data routing, and service access.
• Heavy-Duty Component Design: Design and specify mounts, brackets, enclosures, actuators, and end-effectors built to survive continuous outdoor construction duty cycles.
• Platform Reconfigurability: Support platform architecture for reconfigurability to adapt across construction tasks (PV, rebar, block work) without rebuilding from scratch.
• Environmental & Thermal Strategy: Contribute to the IP67-rated enclosure strategy, gasketing, connector selection, and thermal management across roughly -20°F to 120°F+ with ingress protection against dust, mud, rain, and snow.
• Cabling & Harness Engineering: Design, route, and validate wire harnesses and cable assemblies, ensuring proper strain relief, chafe protection, and buildable documentation for contract manufacturers.
• Sensor & Lighting Integration: Integrate perception and lighting packages (cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, work lights) with careful attention to field-of-view, vibration isolation, and cleanability.
• Design for Excellence: Apply DFM, DFA, and DFS principles from initial CAD reviews, run structural analysis (hand calculations and basic FEA), and support validation plans.
• Vendor & Supplier Management: Collaborate directly with machine shops, sheet metal vendors, and harness houses; release drawings, manage ECOs, and hold vendors to spec.
• Field Testing: Travel to field sites (approx. 15–25%) to diagnose failures, instrument systems, and feed learnings directly into subsequent hardware revisions.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience focused on robotics, autonomous systems, or heavy equipment, with an eagerness to move quickly from prototype to field deployment.
• Proficiency in modern CAD (such as OnShape or SolidWorks), GD&T, tolerance stacks, and production-quality drawing creation.
• Direct experience integrating robotic arms, actuators, or heavy payloads onto mobile platforms; familiarity with IP67 design practices; and hands-on cabling/harness design experience.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Specific experience with construction equipment, agricultural equipment, mining robotics, or defense ground vehicles.
• Experience designing multi-task, multi-payload configurable platforms, integrating perception/sensor stacks, and working with hydraulics, pneumatics, or high-current DC power distribution.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Location: South San Francisco, CA (Onsite)
• Pay Rate Range: $55-$70/hr.

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.