Fall 2026

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Updated on 8/1/2026

Vital Lyfe

Vital Lyfe

11-50 employees

Portable autonomous water purification engine

Compensation Overview

$30 - $33/hr

Los Angeles, CA, USA + 1 more

More locations: Torrance, CA, USA

In Person

Must work 100% on-site in Torrance, California.

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Circuit Design

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Requirements
  • Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Experience or coursework in relevant fields such as fluid dynamics, circuit design, thermodynamics, and material science.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Ability to perform hands-on work on development hardware.
  • Ability to stand, crouch, and walk for long periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work 100% on-site in Torrance, California.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate on the design and optimization of high-pressure systems.
  • Assist in prototyping, testing, and refining lightweight, energy-efficient mechanical components.
  • Analyze materials and system designs to ensure reliability and performance.

Vital Lyfe makes portable, autonomous water-purification machines that work without traditional water infrastructure. Their compact purification engine combines mechanical components, advanced membrane science, and smart power management to clean water from seawater, brackish water, or contaminated sources. The system is modular and self-optimizes its purification process to adapt to different water sources, delivering on-demand potable water with a smaller environmental footprint than large desalination plants. The company builds on aerospace engineering know-how from SpaceX veterans to create off-grid, field-ready units for maritime groups, disaster relief, and other communities with limited water access, with consumer-ready products planned for 2026 and funding to scale manufacturing and deployments.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$24M

Headquarters

Hawthorne, California

Founded

2024

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Pre-orders at $749 suggest early consumer demand before full launch.
  • Maritime, disaster-response, and rural markets need infrastructure-free water systems.
  • The $24 million raise funds manufacturing, field deployments, and hiring.

What critics are saying

  • Reverse-osmosis brine disposal will face coastal permitting and wastewater scrutiny.
  • A 25-pound, $749 unit faces tough economics against cheaper alternatives.
  • Broad feedwater claims create certification, reliability, and warranty exposure.

What makes Vital Lyfe unique

  • Ex-SpaceX founders Jon Criss and Andrew Harner bring aerospace systems expertise.
  • Access turns seawater and other natural sources into portable drinking water.
  • The Torrance factory supports modular, battery-powered units for off-grid use.

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Benefits

Company Equity

Growth & Insights

Headcount

6 month growth

8%

1 year growth

8%

2 year growth

8%