Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer 

Reports to: Director of Engineering, REC1 

Do you want to be on the cutting edge of the clean energy / climate tech industry? Are you excited about the intersection of renewable energy and the circular economy? We are too. And that’s why we launched SOLARCYCLE, Inc, a tech-driven recycling platform designed to maximize solar sustainability.   The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels, inverters and batteries for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs. And we need you to direct our field operations to help us become a leader in this new burgeoning sector in the renewable energy industry.   

About the role 

We are looking for a professional, experienced mechanical engineer with a strong track record of successfully designing, project managing, building, and implementing innovative mechanical solutions. The ideal candidate has proven experience with strong program management combined with individual technical contributions in the field of mechanical engineering. The position is based in Odessa, TX, where our first-generation solar panel recycling facility is located. It is a requirement to work in the Odessa recycling facility on a daily basis; remote or hybrid work is not permitted, and relocation to the greater Odessa area is a prerequisite of this job role, if applicable. 

Responsibilities 

• Equipment Sustainment: Work alongside the maintenance team to keep the recycling machines running; implement process and equipment improvements to increase yield, uptime while decreasing operational labor 

• Equipment Design & Development: Lead the design and development of mechanical systems and equipment for solar panel recycling, ensuring that they meet performance, reliability, and safety standards. Visualize and implement process and equipment automations to help the SOLARCYE team scale into a high-volume manufacturing operation 

• Equipment Fabrication & Assembly: Lead the fabrication, assembly, and testing of prototypes and equipment. Oversee the transition from design to manufacturing, ensuring that prototypes are built to specification. 

• Technical Problem Solving: Apply engineering principles to create innovative and efficient mechanical solutions for adverse problems. 

• Project & Supplier Management: Manage the full lifecycle of mechanical equipment and process related projects. Manage the suppliers that build your designs.  

• Technical Documentation: Prepare detailed technical drawings, specifications, and documentation for prototypes and mechanical systems. Ensure all documentation is accurate and up to date. Complete “Equipment Procurement Review” documentation to justify the ROI and installation plans of proposed new equipment.  

• Testing & Troubleshooting: Conduct rigorous testing of new high-volume manufacturing equipment to identify and resolve mechanical issues. Troubleshoot problems that arise during the testing phase and implement solutions efficiently. 

• Technical Reporting: Generate comprehensive technical reports that outline project progress, findings, and recommendations. Present findings to the Director of Engineering and other stakeholders as required using tech-enabled project management tools. 

• Support & Collaboration: Provide technical support and guidance to the R&D team, junior engineers, operators, maintenance personnel, and many other teams in the pursuit of assisting with problem-solving activities and contributing to the continuous improvement of our processes and products. 

• Travel Requirements: Travel regularly to Odessa, TX, for the first 8 - 12 months to work at our first-generation recycling facility. Assist in transferring knowledge and best practices to the Cedartown facility, which will commence operations in October 2025. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.  

 EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE  

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in mechanical design and development, preferably within the recycling or sustainability sector. 

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in planning, designing, and building prototypes, tools, or equipment. 

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in scaling up mechanical equipment into high-volume manufacturing capable equipment 

• Strong proficiency in CAD software for mechanical design, such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD. 

• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes. 

• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions for adverse problems. 

• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, with a proven track record of working effectively in a team environment. 

• Detail-oriented with good organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects and priorities. 

• Computer Skills: Proficient in rapid communications using a mobile device and laptop. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite