Senior / Staff Mechanical Engineer, Fluid Systems

Antora builds and deploys thermal energy storage to power always-on industrial operations and data centers with low-cost energy. Factory-built in California, Antora’s thermal batteries deliver reliable and cost-effective heat and power for industrial loads of any size. Antora is electrifying global industry while supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs, lowering costs for energy consumers, and enhancing the competitiveness of American industry.

We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and build with humility and openness. We are committed to continue building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future where every industrial facility, everywhere on earth, is powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy.

The Role

Antora is seeking a self-driven and passionate Senior or Staff Mechanical Engineer, Fluid Systems to join our Product Development Team. In this role, you will own the design, analysis, and validation of subsystems that make Antora’s thermal battery possible. Your work will directly accelerate the demonstration and deployment of a first-of-a-kind long-duration energy storage technology.

This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role where you’ll work across disciplines to scope, design, and refine mechanical systems from concept through prototyping, testing, and production. You’ll also help build the processes, standards, and culture that enable our team to deliver at scale

You should be excited to pair strong first-principles engineering with modern tools, including AI-enabled workflows where they meaningfully improve speed, insight, or iteration quality. Just as important, you’ll bring the judgment to validate outputs, challenge assumptions, and keep engineering rigor at the center of every decision.

What You'll Do

Own subsystem design: Lead the architecture, analysis, detailed design, and testing of structural, thermal, and fluid components within Antora’s thermal battery.

Perform rigorous analysis: Thoughtfully leverage AI, apply calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and trade studies to guide design decisionspply hand calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and trade studies to guide design decisions.

Drive validation reliability: Lead prototyping, testing, failure analysis, and root cause investigation to ensure robust, reliable hardware.

Pursue cost-down: Identify and implement design and manufacturing approaches that reduce cost without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Collaborate cross-functionally: Define system requirements, lead design reviews, and integrate feedback across adjacent engineering and operations teams.

Establish best practices: Develop and maintain CAD standards, documentation, and engineering infrastructure that support high-quality execution and scale.

Mentor lead: Guide junior engineers and serve as a technical lead.

Shape our processes: Balance fast execution with long-term improvements in team workflows, risk management, and product development culture.

What We're Looking For

Senior Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years of relevant industry experience, or Master’s degree with 4+ years , or PhD

Staff Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years of relevant industry experience, or Master’s degree with 8+ years , or PhD with 4+ years

Examples of relevant industry experience include power generation, aerospace, propulsion, or other industrial hardware products

Required Skills and Experience

Proven track record of taking complex mechanical systems from concept to deployed hardware

Strong proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks or similar), PDM systems, and creation of detailed drawings using GD T and ASME Y14.5

Deep experience designing machined components for low- to mid-volume production; experience with sheet metal, castings, or composites is a plus

Proficiency in structural and/or thermal analysis, including FEA and hand calculations

Experience applying sound engineering judgment in ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environments where requirements evolve and rapid iteration matters

Curiosity about integrating evolving AI tools into engineering workflows, paired with the critical thinking to recognize limitations, sanity-check outputs, and maintain high technical standards

Familiarity with systems analysis and risk management tools such as FMEA

Experience developing engineering processes, standards, and best practices

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative, humble, and mission-first mindset

Bonus Qualifications

Experience designing components for very high-temperature environments ( 500–2500°C )

Experience with composite and/or brittle materials

Experience with fluid system design in demanding thermal or industrial environments

FOAK (first-of-a-kind) product development from concept through sustaining

Work Location: Onsite in San Jose, CA

Salary Range: $154,000 U…