Lead Mechanical Design Engineer - High-Speed Rotating Machinery

Job Description

Job DescriptionAbout Us:

Sapphire Technologies delivers power and cooling to energy infrastructure. Our FreeSpin® In-line Turboexpander recovers the energy wasted when high-pressure gas is stepped down, converting it into clean electricity and low-temperature cooling. To better serve our customers in the data center industry, we are now expanding our high-speed turbomachinery offerings into oil-free compressors for chilling applications.

Our hands-on engineering team takes products from concept to field deployment, with work spanning rotating machinery, power electronics, controls, and systems integration.

We are a mission-driven organization with one common goal: building a more sustainable world. Our employees are our biggest asset, and we are looking for change agents to join us on our journey.

Position Summary:
Sapphire Technologies is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the development and production launch of advanced high-speed rotating machinery incorporating active magnetic bearings, high-speed electric machines, power electronics, and precision mechanical systems.

The role will support a major new product platform serving rapidly growing energy and thermal-management applications, including data-center infrastructure. The program is progressing from product development into validation and will require a significant production ramp over the next several years.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role with responsibility for mechanical architecture, system integration, validation, and production readiness. The successful candidate will lead a small team of engineers and designers while working closely with electrical, controls, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program-management teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary mechanical technical authority for high-speed rotating machinery products.
  
• Own mechanical architecture, system interfaces, technical trade studies, and major design decisions.
  
• Lead the design and analysis of rotors, shafts, impellers, housings, bearing systems, seals, cooling systems, pressure-containing components, and supporting structures.
  
• Lead design reviews, DFMEA, validation planning, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions.
  
• Ensure timely release of accurate CAD models, drawings, specifications, analyses, and bills of material.
  
• Partner with manufacturing and suppliers to develop robust, cost-effective, and scalable designs.
  
• Mentor engineers and designers while establishing strong engineering practices and accountability.
  

Base Pay Range:

The information below is a general guideline. Actual compensation depends on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, as well as market and business factors.

Salary range: $129,458 - $175,150

Requirements Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline; master’s degree preferred.
  
• Eight or more years of experience developing turbomachinery, compressors, motors, generators, refrigeration equipment, or similar electromechanical products.
  
• Demonstrated experience leading complex products from design through validation and production.
  
• Strong knowledge of high-speed rotating equipment, rotor dynamics, bearings, seals, vibration, thermal management, tolerance analysis, and GD&T.
  
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or comparable CAD software and engineering analysis tools.
  
• Experience with DFM, DFMEA, product qualification, root-cause analysis, and multidisciplinary system integration.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and develop other engineers.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active magnetic-bearing systems
  
• Centrifugal compressors, turboexpanders, or other high-speed turbomachinery
  
• High-speed permanent-magnet machines
  
• Thermal-management or refrigeration systems
  
• Precision balancing and high-speed rotor assembly
  
• ASME, API, UL, CE, or related product standards
  
• Manufacturing scale-up and supplier development
  

Work Environment:
This role is primarily on-site and involves work in office, manufacturing, equipment-installation, and test environments. Appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to site safety requirements are required. Some activities may require coordination outside normal operating hours. Travel to suppliers, manufacturing partners, or other company locations may be required.

Benefits

Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Eligible team members receive paid vacation, paid sick time, comprehensive health benefits, and participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional Information:
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as assigned by their supervisor. Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add, or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within this job classification at any time.

Sapphire Technologies is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, and benefits.