Job Description

Lead Mechanical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

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

Who We Are

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

Modern life, from smartphones to skyscrapers, starts as ore in the ground. But mines do not simply appear. Valuable ore is rare, so in advance, Geologists must explore, observe, test, and survey - a process that takes significant time and resources. Building a mine today is a billion dollar endeavor, so precise data is key. This is done by drilling hundreds of holes into the earth to recover cylindrical core samples in the search for valuable material.

Despite being directly responsible for a $2 trillion industry, exploration drilling technology has hardly changed in over 70 years. Our mission is to change that. The first step is the development and mass-production of drilling rigs with automated controls and real-time data streams to increase safety, accuracy, and efficiency. That is just the beginning.

Building the Rig

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer at Durin you will be directly responsible for designing the hydraulic, fluid circulation, and actuation systems at the core of our next-generation drilling rigs. From concept to field deployment, you’ll collaborate across teams to deliver robust, safe, and efficient systems that withstand the toughest conditions.

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

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype mechanical systems and components for autonomous drilling rigs, including hydraulic systems, drive systems, and structural elements
• Integrate mechanical designs with electrical, control, and software systems
• Perform simulations, stress analysis, and finite element analysis to ensure the durability and performance of components in harsh operational conditions
• Outline and perform testing and validation of new designs at a subsystem and integration level, iteratively making necessary modifications to achieve the desired objective
• Optimize mechanical systems for performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability
• Conduct field visits to understand operational challenges and implement improvements to enhance performance and reliability in real-world conditions
• Produce documentation outlining design choices, test results, and future improvements

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical design, preferably in heavy machinery, drilling equipment, or autonomous systems
• Proficiency in CAD software (NX, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Experience with FEA tools for stress analysis and simulation (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus)
• Strong understanding of hydraulic systems, drive mechanisms, and structural design
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and tolerances
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment to rapidly prototype and manufacture new products
• Experience with field testing and working in rugged environments

In this role, you will

• Own a product vertical with the opportunity to build a team around yourself over time
• Work directly with our internal and external customers to drive our roadmap
• Get to build alongside the best engineers and mining operators in the world
• Be given autonomy and virtually unlimited room to grow
• Travel all over the world

This might be a good fit if you

• Bias to action, take pride in your work and care more about getting to the right solution than being right
• Have led critical projects or initiatives
• Have extensive experience shipping modern, full-stack hardware
• Are product-minded and user-driven
• Are excited to work in a fast-paced environment with high stakes and quick iteration cycles
• Are a previous or future founder — if you leave Durin to start a company, we'll do everything to support you, including investing in you and introducing you to Durin's investors
• Can work from our Los Angeles headquarters (El Segundo)

Compensation

This role will pay $150,000–$180,000 . Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You’ll have the total freedom and resources you need to excel. We're building something big together and will ensure you're taken care of every step of the way, financially and otherwise.

We offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision) , all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are covered when you’re at headquarters, and we can help provide housing close to the office. In addition, the headquarters is equipped with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a high-end shower.

You will be given generous equity.

Additional Requirements

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

Join Durin to build the future of mining. If you're passionate about making a real-world impact and solving complex challenges, we'd love to hear from you.

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