Mechanical Engineer

Overview

Hippo Harvest is building the next generation of sustainable greenhouse farming by combining hydroponics, robotics, and machine intelligence. Our systems use 90% less water, reduce waste, eliminate fertilizer runoff, and enable fresh produce to be grown locally year-round. We’re now scaling toward a 35 acre commercial deployment utilizing 100s of robots, transforming how food is grown in a changing climate

We’re seeking a Mechanical Engineer to help develop our robotics and automation systems. You will design automation systems and assemble prototypes. This is a rare role where you’ll see your systems run 24/7 in live production, collecting real-world data and closing the loop between prototype, field performance, and next-generation design.

You Will

• Design mechanical structures, including sheet metal structures, environmental enclosures and welded tube structures.
• Design electromechanical systems including actuators, motors, low-voltage power distribution, sensing, and control hardware.
• Design traditional industrial automation systems, including pneumatic actuation, elevator systems and conveyor systems.
• Design next-generation systems that can scale to large commercial deployments, including fleets of 100s of robots.
• Build and test hardware in our live production greenhouse environment in Pescadero.
• Work closely with operations and plant science teams to integrate systems, learn from field failures, and implement improvements.
• Drive reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability improvements, incorporating insights from corrosion, vibration, cable management, and other environmental challenges.
• Diagnose and resolve complex electrical, mechanical, and software-integration failures, leading root-cause analysis efforts.
• Manage relationships with external partners including manufacturers and vendors.

You Have

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals and comfort working across disciplines.
• Experience with mechanical CAD software (Solidworks Preferred)
• Background in robotics, automation, industrial automation, or factory equipment.
• Experience working with manufacturers, vendors, or design partners to support production and scaling.
• 3 years of experience taking electromechanical systems from prototype to production.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware issues and drive them to resolution.
• Comfort working on-site and collaborating closely with operational teams.

We Offer

• Mission-driven work that directly advances sustainable agriculture.
• Hybrid schedule: 4 days/week on-site in Pescadero, 1 day remote.
• Competitive salary: $140,000 to $180,000, depending on experience.
• Six weeks paid vacation.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Twelve weeks paid parental leave.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company stock options.