Mechanical Design Engineer

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3 TX (004758)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_4450

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

5/27/2025 3:11:09 PM

Date Last Edited:

5/27/2025 3:11:07 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1130O

Organization:

HENRY SAMUELI SCHOOL ENGR & APPL SCIENCE

Division Code:

1131D

Division:

ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIEN DIV

Department:

012100 - INSTITUTE FOR CARBON MANAGEMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_4450

Position Description ID

240321

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3 TX (004758)

Business Title:

Mechanical Design Engineer

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

4 - Staff: Limited

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41068057

Reports to Payroll Title:

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 4

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40061059

Department Head Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-B/E/E

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

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 CO₂ removal and hydrogen production. The goal is to drive down cost through intelligent design while maintaining system performance metrics—prioritizing manufacturability, part reduction, and ease of assembly.

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.

Cost Reduction & Design Optimization

1. Redesign mechanical components and assemblies to reduce cost through strategic material selection, part consolidation, and the elimination of redundant elements. 2. Identify cost drivers and apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to reduce part count and streamline system integration. 3. Maintain mechanical integrity and reliability while enabling scalable and efficient production techniques.

65%

Engineering Tools & Cross-Functional Collaboration

1. Own and maintain the full CAD library, ensuring version control and thorough design documentation throughout cost-reduction prototyping and production cycles. 2. Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to validate manufacturability across a range of production methods, including machining, injection molding, casting, and forming. 3. Rapidly build working knowledge of electrochemical system behavior to inform smarter mechanical decisions—prior electrochemistry experience not required.

35%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Required

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF 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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.