What You'll Do- Design, develop and optimize manufacturing processes and production lines for our desalination systems-from first builds through high-rate production.
- Lead DFM/DFA initiatives: tooling, fixtures, robot end-effectors, conveyors, automation programming, control systems.
- Work cross-functionally to select equipment, define cycle-times, yield targets, cost-per-unit, quality metrics.
- Develop work instructions, process flows, layout designs; implement and validate manufacturing methods for new systems.
- Own continuous-improvement efforts: reduce cost, increase throughput, improve reliability and uptime in a fast-moving hardware startup environment.
- Collaborate with procurement, quality, test, integration teams and external vendors/suppliers to ensure smooth scale-up & ramp-out of manufacturing.
What We're Looking ForRequired:- Bachelor's in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial or equivalent).
- 2+ years professional experience in manufacturing engineering, process development or production optimization (including internships).
- Strong CAD (SolidWorks / other) experience and familiarity with manufacturing automation, tooling & fixture design.
- Hands-on mindset: comfortable designing the process and also working with operators & equipment to validate and refine.
- Strong problem-solving skills, ability to operate in ambiguous/higher-growth environment, clear communicator across teams.
Preferred:- Experience in consumer hardware production, or systems with high-volume manufacturing.
- Knowledge of pumps, valves, pressure vessels, fluid systems or broadly mechanical-hardware manufacturing.
- Experience with automation programming, conveyors, robotics, fluid/pressure equipment.
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, statistical process control (SPC).
- Experience in a hardware startup or mission-driven organization.
Physical Job Requirements - Essential Functions- Hands on work on development hardware.
- Long periods of standing, crouching, walking.
- Lifting up to 50 lbs.
Why Join Vital Lyfe?- Work on high-impact problems with global relevance
- Help scale breakthrough technology in water security and climate resilience
- Early ownership in a high-growth, engineering-led startup
- Join a tight-knit, mission-driven team in a fast-paced environment
- Build long-term career equity as we grow
Location Requirement: Ability to work 100% onsite in Torrance, CA (remote or hybrid work will not be considered)
