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Director of Mechanical Engineering

San Francisco

THE COMPANY

At PAX, we’re on a mission to enhance people’s lives through exceptional consumer experiences—honoring the plant through pioneering innovation, science-backed quality, and award-winning design. For nearly two decades, PAX has delivered high performance products crafted for precision, purity, and consistency that are trusted by millions worldwide. Our culture is built on putting people at the center of everything we do, making an impact together, and having fun along the way. We believe exceptional products, a thriving employee experience, and strong operational rhythms go hand-in-hand. PAX has been recognized for its brand, culture and products by The New York Times’ Wirecutter, TIME, Fast Company, GQ, Gear Patrol, mg Magazine, High Times, and many more. PAX is certified Plastic Negative across all product lines by rePurpose Global, ensuring that twice as much plastic is removed from nature as is used in its products.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the VP of Engineering, PAX is looking for a Director, Mechanical Engineering to lead the group of Mechanical Engineers responsible for the design, development, and support of PAX hardware products.This role serves as a cross-functional leader and “glue” between multiple company touch-points in collaboration including mechanical, embedded, product integrity, sourcing, and product management teams. Mechanical Engineers at PAX are responsible for architecture and detailed design of all of our products, working closely with the rest of the Hardware team and our manufacturing partners to achieve the Industrial Design and Product vision for the device. Our products are hailed for their beautiful design language, high quality and reliability, and attention to details. Our goal is to be the industry leader with product and technology innovations. This role is critical to managing and building our Mechanical Engineering team, the processes and best practices for design execution, and up-leveling our skill-set and quality. 

As the PAX Director, Mechanical Engineering, you will:

  • Manage, grow, and inspire our Mechanical Engineering team using your experience and track record of hiring and retaining top talent from the industry
  • Drive process development, improvements, and best practices consistent with building a “world class” hardware product development organization
  • Hold the quality bar high, drive design reviews, and increase sophistication and technological excellence of our products on aggressive schedules
  • Develop and maintain effective tools and train capabilities for the group including CAD design software, PDM systems, FEA modeling and thermal simulation software
  • Collaborate with R&D to drive far-reaching technology development initiatives
  • Oversee and manage mechanical resourcing across multiple parallel programs
  • Develop and drive key team goals and OKRs on a quarterly and annual basis
  • Predict, manage, and when needed react to escalations and new risks in collaboration with Product Development
  • Travel to support manufacturing builds and ensure factory engagement best practices are established

WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN YOU

  • 10+ years in consumer products and/or other product development
  • 5+ years of people management experience
  • Deeply technical mechanical engineering background
  • Extensive CAD design experience (Solidworks)
  • Proven experience in structural analysis, thermal analysis, and/or fluid dynamics simulations
  • Working knowledge of electronics and proven track record of working with EE to integrate complex electronics into small form factors
  • Expert working knowledge of material fabrication processes and design constraints including engineered plastics and plastic injection (single shot, double shot, insert/overmould), and metal fabrication process (stamping, machining, turning, plating, extrusion etc)
  • Proven track record of working with Reliability through DFMEA process and developing products to the product spec, and addressing issues during NPI to resolve
  • Strong track record of shipping products and managing them through their entire life cycle
  • Experience working with Asian manufacturing and supply chains including travel to manufacturing sites
  • Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and data analytics skills
  • Ability to meet international travel expectations (~10%)

Ideally, you:

  • Have seen multiple product cycles from start to finish and shipping consumer hardware at high volume 
  • Pride yourself on your cross-functional collaboration, you thrive when you are working with others
  • Are a creative problem solver and make data-driven decisions
  • Practice servant leadership and realize it’s your first responsibility to unblock the team so they can move forward, while also focusing on coaching and mentoring them along the way
  • Have a track record of making your engineers better than you

EDUCATION

  • BS in ME, related discipline, or demonstrated equivalent experience
  • MS or higher preferred

 PAX LABS PERKS & BENEFITS:

  • Competitive compensation, equity & bi-annual performance reviews
  • Fully funded comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401K plan
  • Generous PTO policy 
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Monthly wellness reimbursement
  • Cell Phone reimbursement
  • Employee Purchase Program for discounted PAX devices
  • Weekly catered lunch, endless snacks and beverages
  • Dog Friendly HQ in the Mission District of San Francisco
  • Employee Assistance Program including access to online legal support

COMPENSATION

In addition to the benefits above, the salary for this role is $210,000 – $265,000 + equity. This represents what we believe, in good faith, this role will pay. The final pay will depend on many factors, including years and depth of experience, level, and location of the employee. 

PAX VALUES

  • Put Consumers First - We are here to enhance their lives. We put their needs first in everything we do. We work together to deliver unique solutions for their benefit.
  • Build a Community - We are active and beneficial builders of a global community. We collaborate together to support sustainability, well-being and social equity efforts—both internally and externally—to establish cannabis as a force for good.
  • Innovate with Passion - We are passionate about enhancing the cannabis experience by making it positive, accessible and intuitive. We set the standards, innovate for consumers and find the yes as a team. 
  • Be the Solution and Collaborate - We work as a team to achieve winning outcomes, knowing we each individually are the solution, but can only succeed together.
  • Lead with Humility and Transparency - We stay open and humble in everything we do. We value learning from each other, and cultivate transparency in our culture and products.
  • We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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