Mechanical Engineer (Complex Precision Systems)

Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.

In this role, you will be responsible for leading the development and deployment of custom precision mechanical systems for the world’s most advanced metal 3D printing systems. You will establish and scale processes for how we build, assemble, align, and integrate these systems. You will work with high-power lasers, high-speed cameras, and other proprietary hardware and software to integrate novel capabilities. This is a hands-on role in which you will be expected to own hardware development, testing, and implementation yourself. Precision mechanical systems lie at the heart of our technology, making this is a high-impact opportunity at a rapidly growing deep-tech company.  

3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology! 

• →Build, assemble, align, and deploy complex mechanical systems.
• →Develop procedures for scaling in-house mechanical build processes from prototype to volume production. 
• →Integrate precision components, such as high power lasers, motion control, and high-speed camera solutions. 
• →Design mechanical solutions to integrate seamlessly with precision and repeatability. 
• →Create drawings specifically to mechanical GD&T standards. 
• →Establish and own the precision alignment process including method, procedure, and software used. 
• →Perform test and characterization of optical performance including process, equipment selection, and passing criteria. 
• →Work closely with process engineering team to solve physics-based interdependencies. 
• →Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to develop a robust and scalable system architecture. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 2 years of hands-on professional experience; or a Master's degree in one of these disciplines and at least one hands-on mechanical internship.
• Hands-on experience with complex precision mechanical systems (build, assembly, alignment, etc.).
• CAD experience, including GD&T and detailed drawing documentation as it relates to mechanical systems development.
• Strong mechanical engineering and physics fundamentals. 

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering. 
• Experience with opto-mechanical systems or high power lasers (tens to hundreds of watts). 
• Experience designing optics for industrial systems such as semiconductor (i.e. etching), laser cutting, long distance laser communication, etc. 
• Basic understanding of image and signal processing. 
• Knowledge of motion control and kinematics.  
• Experience with design of fluid or thermal systems. 

• Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.

• Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.