Mechanical Engineer
Solcoa Industries · Solcoa Industries develops carbon-zero rare earth metals for critical supply chain needs and promote sustainable industrial practices
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Making the Metals Powering the World
Solcoa is building the next generation of American metalmaking, starting with rare earths — the metals of power and motion. We've developed a new chemistry that converts rare earth oxides into high-purity metals — the materials inside every EV, fighter jet, wind turbine, and data center — cleaner, cheaper, and faster than any conventional process. Now we're scaling it to thousands of tonnes of annual production.
The Role
We’re looking for a hands-on mechanical engineer to design, prototype, and scale the next generation of our rare-earth reactors. You’ll own designs from concept through commissioning, working closely with machinists and researchers to turn ideas into operating systems.
Levels & Compensation
We’re hiring across multiple levels, with scope and compensation based on demonstrated engineering ability and experience delivering working hardware.
Mechanical Engineer — $120,000–$175,000: Own reactor subsystems, taking designs through fabrication, assembly, testing and commissioning.
Senior Mechanical Engineer — $175,000–$210,000: Lead complex equipment designs, resolve thermal, vacuum and materials challenges, and coordinate delivery across engineers, machinists and vendors.
Staff Mechanical Engineer — $210,000–$250,000: Set the mechanical architecture for reactor systems, lead major scale-up decisions, and establish engineering standards across projects.
All levels are hands-on and include stock options.
What You’ll Do
Architect, model, and draw reactor subsystems (thermal, vacuum, materials handling) in CAD (Fusion).
Specify components, tolerances, and materials for high-temperature, corrosive, and vacuum environments.
Build and iterate prototypes; run experiments; analyze data to drive design decisions.
Author procedures, test plans, and safety/operating documentation.
Collaborate with fabrication partners; support continuous improvement.
What You Bring
Required
Proficiency in CAD (Fusion).
Hands-on experience with metal machining and shop tools.
Experience with high-temperature systems and/or vacuum hardware.
Detail-orientation and precise technical execution.
Comfort working independently in a fast-paced, build-measure-learn environment.
Availability to start soon.
Preferred
Coursework or experience in chemistry or physics (thermo, materials, reaction engineering, or similar).
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive base salary.
Generous stock options.
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance.
Company-provided lunch daily.
Visa sponsorship available if needed.
Applications go straight to the employer. VCBacked does not sit between you and the company.