Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fluid Systems

About The Company We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore. The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices.

We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. ” The Node will operate in the worst conditions the world’s oceans have to offer for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention and fluid systems are central to its performance and reliability. In this role, you will own the design and delivery of critical fluid subsystems and components, working within the broader system architecture to ensure performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

You will contribute deep technical expertise across design, analysis, testing, and deployment, partnering closely with mechanical design, manufacturing, and test teams. This role is ideal for a highly capable engineer who thrives in hands-on technical work, enjoys solving complex problems, and is motivated to build robust, real-world systems. You will have significant ownership over your work while collaborating closely with senior technical leaders to refine system-level design decisions.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.

Responsibilities

Own the design and development of critical fluid subsystems and components across all phases (concept through deployment) Perform detailed design and analysis, including material selection, sizing, and system integration Collaborate with staff and senior engineers to refine system architecture and integration strategies Participate in design reviews and contribute to technical decision-making Work closely with internal teams and external vendors to ensure high-quality fabrication and assembly Produce clear engineering documentation, including drawings and GD&T Partner with testing teams to validate performance and iterate based on test and field data Troubleshoot and resolve issues in development, test, and deployment environments Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence

Required Qualifications

Degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, naval architecture, marine engineering, or a related field 5+ years designing components and subsystems for fluid systems across a range of applications 5+ years of 3D CAD modeling experience Experience with complex, safety-critical, or high-performance fluid systems Strong engineering fundamentals, including hand calculations and simulation tools Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, technicians, and external partners Experience contributing to multiple design-build-test cycles for complex systems Desired

Qualifications

Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field or equivalent additional experience Proficiency with NX/Teamcenter or similar CAD/PLM tools Familiarity with marine or offshore systems (e.g., hydraulics, welded structures, mechanical assemblies) Experience with programming tools such as Python, Julia, or Mathematica Knowledge of engineering standards such as ASME Y14.5 Strong organizational and problem-solving skills Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, iter