Junior Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Helix Earth (Houston/Jersey Village, TX 77040) is a clean tech startup fixing how buildings handle humidity. Air conditioning is on track to account for 8% of global CO2 emissions by 2050, and most of that energy is wasted fighting humidity.

We spun out of Rice University and NASA in 2022 to solve it. Our co-founder developed the core technology while at NASA, and we're now adapting it to dramatically cut AC energy use and improve indoor air quality.

Helix Earth has won numerous awards including the Smart Cities pitch contest at SXSW and our Co-Founder Dr. Rawand Rasheed was named to Forbes 30 under 30 for Energy and Green Tech.

Helix Earth is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, who will report directly to the Engineering Manager and Lead Engineer. The position will be onsite and located at our Houston, TX offices.

About You

• You are a hands-on mechanical engineer who brings rigor and creativity to subsystem development from concept through pre-production.
• You thrive in fast-paced startup environments—designing, building, and iterating quickly to deliver robust, reliable hardware.
• You have a strong grasp of fundamentals (mechanics, materials, heat transfer, fluids) and use structured methods like design of experiments (DOE) to drive decisions.
• You are fluent in modern computer-aided design (CAD) tools (SolidWorks or equivalent) and comfortable taking designs into the shop to prototype and test.
• You collaborate naturally across electrical, controls, and manufacturing teams to integrate subsystems cleanly and on schedule.

Job Responsibilities

• Support prototype builds, including part procurement, supplier sourcing, assembly, 3D printing, and hands-on fabrication.
• Set up and conduct various tests on components, prototypes, or materials (e.g., stress, vibration, performance, and chemical testing) to validate designs and analyze performance.
• Configure and instrument prototypes with thermocouples, RTDs, pressure sensors, flow meters, humidity sensors, and DAQ systems.
• Diagnose mechanical failure, identify RCA, and execute quick design revisions.
• Conduct FMEA/risk reviews, implement mitigations, and verify via testing.
• Create detailed engineering drawings (including proper use of GD&T), Bills of Materials (BOMs), assembly instructions, and quality inspection protocols; maintain version control and document updates throughout development using PDM.
• Work with electrical, firmware, chemical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated system solutions.
• Bridge prototype-to-product transition by refining designs for manufacturability (DFM), coordinating with suppliers and contract manufacturers, and supporting early production builds.
• Collaborate with vendors on tooling, fabrication methods, and cost/lead-time optimization.
• Drive sourcing and supplier communication to ensure materials, components, and custom parts meet cost, quality, and lead-time targets
• Support pilot builds, work instruction and SOP development, and factory/supplier bring-up.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Proficiency in CAD software is required (i.e. SolidWorks).
• Knowledge of engineering principles like heat transfer, solid mechanics, and materials selection is a must.
• Ability to perform fundamental engineering calculations and interpret technical data.
• Demonstrated experience with DOE (design of experiments), prototyping, and structured validation testing.
• Experience with hands-on fabrication: 3D printing, machining, assembling prototypes, and using common shop tools.
• Strong documentation skills—revision control, BOM management, engineering change processes
• Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and experience preparing designs for manufacturing.

We are looking for exceptional talent to help us put a dent in the 120 year old HVAC industry and to shape the future of sustainable tech.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work schedule.
• Opportunity to shape cutting-edge sustainable technology with real-world impact.
• Collaborative, mission-driven culture with direct exposure to leadership.
• Career growth potential in a rapidly scaling startup.

NO RECRUITERS PLEASE