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Salary: USD 185,000 - 0 / annual
Arc is electrifying the marine industry by rethinking powertrains, software, and vessel designs from first principles. The company has proven core technology, is scaling production of its flagship consumer model, and is now extending its platform to commercial applications including tugs, ferries, and defense vessels with signed contracts and a substantial pipeline.
As a Staff Mechanical Engineer in Powertrain Engineering, you will lead the design and integration of complex electromechanical systems across the full vessel lifecycle, from early concept and requirements through prototyping, validation, sea trials, and production. You will own the high-voltage power distribution architecture for the company's largest vessels, such as the e-tug, and set the technical direction for the engineers who build it. This is a full-time, on-site role at Arc's Los Angeles headquarters, reporting to the Manager of Powertrain Hardware Engineering.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading development of complex electromechanical systems across multiple vessel programs from concept through production
- Owning the high-voltage, high-power distribution architecture across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and manufacturing domains
- Directing electromechanical packaging for high-voltage assemblies such as DC-to-AC power conversion cabinets and AC distribution systems, built for manufacturability, serviceability, and the marine environment
- Establishing methods and standards for busbar design, system thermal sizing, static and shock/vibration analysis, and harness and fluid system routing
- Driving requirements and technical scope, identifying blockers early, and making key design decisions and trade-offs
- Mentoring engineers across levels through design reviews and hands-on technical guidance
- Leading technical engagement with component suppliers, partner shipyards, manufacturing teams, and vessel operators
- Leading sea trials and in-field validation to verify system performance and resolve complex real-world issues
- Traveling occasionally (~15%) to support testing, validation, suppliers, and field operations
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field
- 8+ years of experience owning complete mechanical or electromechanical systems, including technical leadership of complex multidisciplinary systems from initial design through production
- Strong working knowledge of high-voltage electrical systems, including power electronics and HV enclosure and busbar design
- Expert fundamentals in structural and thermal engineering
- Experience with CAD software such as NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks
- Experience with analysis and modeling tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or FEA packages
- Deep expertise in manufacturing methods and design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles
- Practical experience designing, building, debugging, and troubleshooting hardware in production or prototype environments
- Sound judgment making high-impact engineering decisions in ambiguous environments
- Clear written and verbal communication, including presenting trade-offs to leadership and cross-functional partners
- Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers and raising technical standards across a team
- Comfortable working hands-on in the field, including on boats and at shipyards
Bonus qualifications:
- Experience working on commercial vessels or marine systems, including familiarity with Coast Guard and ABS regulations
- Experience with fluid system design, including pump sizing, heat exchanger sizing, and hose/pipe routing
- Experience with high-voltage battery, power conversion, or power distribution system integration
- Exposure to sheet metal manufacturing, CNC machining, composites, or shop tools
- Experience creating detailed engineering drawings with strong GD&T fundamentals
- Experience with NX and Teamcenter
- Comfortable pushing at a fast but sustainable pace
- Enthusiasm for boating, marine systems, and the water
