About Pilgrim:

Pilgrim develops and deploys advanced biotechnology for defense and national security. Our primary platform, ARGUS, is a fully autonomous system for detecting biological threats in near real time, from naturally occurring pathogens to engineered agents.

Pilgrim is not a research institute or academic lab - we move beyond theory, transforming breakthrough science into decisive capabilities. Located in Redwood City, our team pairs mechanical and electrical engineering with chemistry and biology to put critical technologies into the hands of the people who need them.

About the Role:

As a Mechanical Engineer at Pilgrim, you will own the design and manufacturing of advanced hardware systems. You will lead major products from early concept to production, while also diving into the smaller but essential problems that unblock the build. You'll work across CAD modeling and rapid fabrication, vendor selection and coordination, and eventually field testing and iteration.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop compact, ruggedized subsystems, housings, fixtures, test rigs, and mechanical assemblies (gear trains, linkages, mounts, actuation rigs) in CAD, with attention to shock, vibration, environmental exposure, serviceability, and manufacturability.

• Prototype components using CNC machining, 3D printing, laser cutting, vacuum or pressure forming, and general shop tools.

• Develop and integrate microfluidic and airflow subsystems, including manifolds, channels, valves, pumps, fittings, and sealing solutions such as O-rings, gaskets, and compression fittings.

• Apply DFM/DFA principles, tolerance analysis, and fit checks, and plan and run mechanical, pressure, flow, thermal, and environmental tests to evaluate performance, identify failure modes, and move designs toward reliable production.

• Partner with broader engineering and science teams to drive end-to-end production readiness.

• Work with vendors and manufacturers to source parts, review fabrication options, resolve design issues, and improve cost, lead time, and quality.

• Travel for live demonstrations, field testing, and operator feedback sessions, then use what you learn to improve the design through rapid iteration.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (preferred) or related discipline (e.g., Materials, Biomedical, Electrical), or demonstrated equivalent capability (formal degree not required).

• Portfolio of independent projects demonstrating applied mechanical design and prototyping skills (required).

• Prior shop experience with CNC machining (milling/lathe), additive manufacturing, vacuum forming, laser cutting, and general fabrication tools.

• Proficiency with CAD software, such as SolidWorks Fusion 360, or similar tools, with the ability to produce parts, assemblies, drawings, and manufacturable designs.

• Familiarity with microfluidic and airflow design, manifold integration, and sealing methods (e.g., O-rings, compression fittings).

• Strong understanding of rapid prototype methodologies and experience balancing high-velocity R&D prototyping with production requirements

Nice to Have

• Component-level experience with microfluidic systems (SMA and solenoid valves, peristaltic and piezoelectric pumps, IDEX-style fluidic connectors).

• Designing to MIL-STD or similar formal ruggedization standards.

• Thermal management or CFD analysis.

• DFM/DFA in regulated industries (defense, aerospace, medical).

• Knowledge of high-performance materials (PEEK, PTFE, composites, aluminum alloys, stainless steels).