Mechanical Engineer (New Grad December 2026)

Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.  

As a Mechanical Engineer at Freeform, you will own projects from concept through deployment, acting as the responsible engineer across design, fabrication, testing, and implementation. You will contribute to the architecture of cutting-edge, clean-sheet systems that push the boundaries of additive manufacturing, automation, and factory-scale integration. This includes designing complex mechanical assemblies, precision motion systems, and high-performance thermal and fluid subsystems. You will work cross-functionally with electrical and software engineering teams to integrate sub-systems into a cohesive, production-ready platform. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, can drive technically challenging projects with minimal oversight, and collaborates effectively across disciplines to deliver novel hardware solutions at scale. 

3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology!  

• →Act as a responsible engineer in bringing hardware from concept to production 
• →Work with senior engineers to research, develop, design, and test complex mechanical components, subassemblies, equipment, and systems 
• →Perform tolerance analysis of designs at the system and subsystem level 
• →Plan and perform tests to analyze the feasibility, design, operation and performance of equipment, components, and systems 
• →Work hands-on to build, integrate, and validate designs and newly developed systems and/or subsystems 
• →Strategize continuous improvement plans to enhance system performance, reliability, and manufacturability 

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering from an ABET accredited university or college 
• Hands on design experience from internships or engineering clubs such as FSAE, Baja SAE, solar car, rocket club, robotics club, or similar 
• Full life-cycle hardware design experience from hand calcs to CAD to fabrication and testing 
• Well-versed in mechanical engineering fundamentals and comfortable taking a first-principles approach to solving problems 

• Advanced degree (Master's, PhD) in mechanical or aerospace engineering 
• Knowledge of motion control and kinematics 
• Experience with design of fluid or thermal systems 
• Working knowledge of electromechanical systems 
• Passion for improving the state of metal 3D printing 
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and iterating quickly (comfortable building the plane as we fly it) 
• Strong communicator who collaborates across disciplines and proactively seeks support when needed 
• Willing to take ownership of tasks big and small, with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset 
• Strong work ethic with a refuse-to-fail mindset 
• Demonstrated indicators of excellence and/or achieving success against adversity (i.e. top academic performance, leadership in engineering clubs, first-generation college student, or other examples of resilience and achievement) 

• Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
• Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.