SoLa Impact

Private-capital fund financing affordable urban housing

Mechanical Design Engineer

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeLos Angeles, CA, USA$70k - $90k

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering is required; a Master's degree is preferred.
Zero to three years of Mechanical Engineering industry experience is required.
Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals are required.
Advanced fabrication experience, including CNC machining, welding, and precision assembly, is required.
Knowledge of rapid prototyping methods, lean manufacturing principles, and testing and validation procedures is required.
Experience with CAD/PDM/PLM systems, product development processes, and project management is required.
Proficiency in 3D mechanical design, analysis, and drafting tools such as Autodesk Inventor, NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or ANSYS is required.

Responsibilities

Evaluate potential solutions for product and process inefficiencies using technical analysis and prototyping, and validate economic feasibility through business principles with management.
Design and manage large assembly models, oversee configuration management, and control documents in accordance with ASME standards.
Implement design-build improvements and carry changes through Engineering Change Order processes on a live production line.
Manage internal PDM/PLM systems and external fabrication drawing libraries for manufacturers and suppliers.
Work cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and industrial systems teams to support cohesive engineering execution.
Maintain engineering, manufacturing, and production bills of materials and align them with ERP systems.
Work with Supply Chain and contracted manufacturers and suppliers.
Coordinate design solutions with Architectural, Structural, MEP, and Inspection teams, and follow through with submittals to city and state government agencies.
Perform root cause analysis to evaluate current production processes and design features, identifying potential pain points.
Apply automotive and aerospace manufacturing principles to the construction industry.
Write technical standard operating procedures and manuals to support Quality and Process Engineering.
Design and build fixtures and jigs for production use.
Fabricate and integrate precision tooling into the production line.
Solve technical problems to reduce the cost of housing in Southern California.
Develop detailed 3D CAD models, prototypes, large assemblies, and tooling and fixture designs in collaboration with manufacturing, quality, operations, and supply chain teams.
Carry designs through established engineering procedures, including initial design proposals and technical and design review meetings, and manage PDM/PLM.
Evaluate designs for manufacturability and assembly; develop and test prototype solutions; review and maintain engineering drawings and technical documentation; manage design revisions and product configurations; and support production-line testing and implementation.
Identify production challenges with cross-functional teams, troubleshoot design-related issues, and implement engineering improvements that enhance quality, repeatability, cost, and manufacturing efficiency.
Support the transition of new and revised designs from engineering into production by ensuring design requirements, documentation, materials, and configurations are properly communicated and controlled.

Desired Qualifications

A Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering is preferred.

Mechanical Design Engineer

SoLa Impact · Los Angeles, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-11-03

Salary: USD 70,000–90,000

Workplace: on_site

Department: Model/Z

Description

Model/ Z seeks an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to support product development and the design of manufacturable solutions for modular housing production, with a focus on improving manufacturability, production efficiency, and reducing the cost of housing in California. The role develops detailed 3D CAD models, prototypes, large assemblies, and tooling and fixture designs in collaboration with manufacturing, quality, operations, and supply chain teams. The engineer carries designs through established engineering procedures, including initial design proposals, technical and design review meetings, PDM/PLM management. Responsibilities include evaluating designs for manufacturability and assembly, developing and testing prototype solutions, reviewing and maintaining engineering drawings and technical documentation, managing design revisions and product configurations, and supporting production-line testing and implementation. The Mechanical Design Engineer works directly with cross-functional teams to identify production challenges, troubleshoot design-related issues, and implement engineering improvements that enhance quality, repeatability, cost, and manufacturing efficiency. The position also supports the transition of new and revised designs from engineering into production by ensuring design requirements, documentation, materials, and configurations are properly communicated and controlled.

SALARY: $70,000 - $90,000

LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Model/Z is a trailblazing enterprise focused on reinventing multifamily housing through the development of standardized, modular units. Our mission is to provide high-quality, low-cost, and net-zero-ready housing solutions that are both scalable and practical, aiming to significantly mitigate homelessness and enhance living conditions for underrepresented communities. As a majority Black-owned and operated business based in Southern California, Model/Z is poised to establish the first standardized modular housing factory in the region.

Located in the historic Watts neighborhood of South Los Angeles, Model/Z is committed to revitalizing communities by employing local community members and paying living wages. Our innovative approach revolutionizes construction, transforming a traditional linear process into a parallel manufacturing system that allows us to build high-quality apartment homes in a factory before the concrete is even poured on-site. By empowering Black and Brown families and institutions and unlocking the value of underutilized land, Model/Z embodies a model of equitable growth, addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in Southern California and beyond.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Evaluating potential solutions for product and process inefficiencies with technical analysis plus prototyping, and validating economic feasibility through business principles with management.
Designing and managing large assembly models, overseeing configuration management, and document control in accordance with ASME standards.
Implementing design-build improvements and carrying change implementations through Engineering Change Order Processes on a live production line.
Managing internal PDM/PLM systems and external fabrication drawing libraries for manufacturers/supliers.
Operating cross functionally with manufacturing, quality, and industrial systems teams for cohesive engineering execution.
Maintaining Bill of Materials (EBOM, MBOM, PBOM) and Alignment with ERP systems.
Working alongside Supply Chain with contracted manufacturers/ suppliers.
Coordinating design solutions with various Architectural, Structural, MEP, Inspection Teams and following through with submittals to city and state government agencies.
Undergoing Root Cause Analysis to evaluate current production process and design features to identify possible pain points.
Applying industry standards Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing principles to an antiquated construction industry.
Writing technical Standard Operation Procedures and Manuals to aid Quality and Process Engineering.
Designing and building fixtures and jigs for production use.
Fabricating and integrating precision tooling into the production line.
Solving difficult technical problems to optimize for our ultimate goal of reducing the cost of housing in Southern California.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

0 - 3 years of Mechanical Engineering industry experience required.
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering required (Master's preferred)
Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals.
Advanced fabrication experience (CNC machining, welding, precision assembly).
Knowledge of rapid prototyping methods, lean manufacturing principles, and testing + validation procedures.
Experience with CAD/PDM/PLM Systems, Product Development Process, and Project Management.
Proficient in 3D mechanical design, analysis, and drafting tools ( Autodesk Inventor, NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, ANSYS, etc.)

Benefits

Model/Z offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as pet insurance, sick leave, 10 paid holidays, and bereavement days. This package is designed to provide employees with a range of important benefits that help to support their physical and emotional well-being, while also providing financial protection and peace of mind.

At Model/Z, we believe work environment, culture, and the opportunity to learn and grow are key elements when considering a new job. We are just the right size to provide the resources and support you need without the bureaucracy of a large corporate environment. We foster a family-friendly and supportive workplace, collaborative and employee-focused with an emphasis on quality, integrity, trust, and accountability. We are looking to bring someone on board as soon as possible. We provide a rewarding and challenging environment. We expect a lot, but give a lot in return. Strongly prefer candidates local to Los Angeles as no relocation assistance will be provided. All qualified candidates will be contacted directly.

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About the Company

SoLa Impact

Private-capital fund financing affordable urban housing

SoLa Impact Fund uses private capital to create affordable urban housing with a social mission. It funds real estate projects (often via equity and debt) that deliver affordable units while generating jobs and neighborhood revitalization in distressed US areas. Its differentiator is a clear double bottom-line approach, aiming for market-rate investor returns alongside measurable community benefits. The goal is to expand affordable housing and stimulate broader neighborhood renewal in cities across the United States.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
Founded: 2014

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