Senior Mechanical Engineer

Durin was founded under the belief that raw materials should not be a constraint on civilization's progress. We are actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming the foundation of the global supply chain.

WHO WE ARE

Durin builds and operates automated drill rigs to accelerate mineral discovery.

Our modern way of life, from smartphones to skyscrapers, starts as ore in the ground. But mines don't simply appear. In fact, the exploration process required to find valuable ore is incredibly long and expensive. This is done by drilling hundreds of surgical holes into the earth to recover cylindrical core samples.

Mining is a trillion-dollar industry, but the drills used to explore haven't changed in nearly 100 years. Mines are becoming harder to find, which is a danger to the future of civilization. Our mission is to change that. The first step is mass production of automated drilling rigs to find more mines, faster. That is just the beginning. Learn More

BUILDING THE RIG

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Durin, you will design and build the world's most advanced drill rigs, redefining mineral exploration as we know it, and uncovering critical subsurface data in hours or days instead of weeks or months. You will have full hardware ownership, taking your projects from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.

Note: You don't need mining or drilling experience to excel in this role.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own the development of next-generation drilling rigs from structure and mechanism design to advanced manufacturing.
• Develop design concepts from a clean sheet with a first principles, physics-based approach.
• Perform simulations, stress analysis, hand calculations, and FEA to ensure the durability and performance of components in unbelievably harsh operational conditions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Durin's electrical, control, and software systems to support necessary mission objectives.
• Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, rollout, and global operation.
• Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your work.
• Optimize mechanical systems for performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability.
• Conduct field visits to understand operational challenges and implement improvements in real-world environments.
• Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective.

WHO YOU ARE

• Experience designing, analyzing, building, and testing high-performance mechanical systems, preferably heavy machinery and/or autonomous systems.
• Proficiency in CAD software (NX, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Proficiency with FEA tools for stress analysis and simulation (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus).
• Strong understanding of hydraulic systems, drive mechanisms, and structural design.
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (i.e., Python, Matlab, Excel).
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, tolerances, and selecting materials for mechanical components.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment to rapidly prototype and manufacture new products.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Have a bias to action, take pride in your work, and care more about getting to the right solution than being right.

COMPENSATION

This role will pay $150,000–$180,000, plus equity, so you have a real stake in Durin's success. Everyone is an owner, so as the company grows, your equity grows too.

Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You'll have the freedom and resources to try new things and iterate quickly. We're a high-growth company without middle management, which means fast decision making and the ability for you to own major initiatives from day one.

We also offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are paid for when you're at headquarters, and we can help you find housing nearby.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to work from our headquarters in El Segundo
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed