{"id":1222205,"url":"https://alion.io/job/matx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems","title":"Mechanical Engineering Lead - AI Rack Scale Systems","company":{"id":1776304,"name":"MatX","domain":"matx.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/matx-com","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":77,"open_postings":14,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.929,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":36,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Mountain View, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":160000,"max":275000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":275000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":15,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"LLM","optional":false},{"name":"Wi-Fi","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-28T22:50:27Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-28","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T07:49:26Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":54,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":54},"description":"What MatX is Building\nMatX is building next-generation AI compute infrastructure purpose-built for large-scale LLM training and inference. We are looking for a Mechanical Engineering Lead to own the mechanical design, thermal architecture, and system integration of our rack-scale AI platform from concept through production. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will drive the mechanical design of our AI compute trays, ORV3/ORW rack systems, and fully liquid-cooled infrastructure, working closely with hardware, thermal, electrical, and JDM/ODM partners to bring a world-class AI data center platform to life.\nWhat You'll Do Here\nOwn mechanical design of AI compute trays, rack enclosures, and full rack-scale systems from concept through production, built to OCP standards - covering structural design, sheet metal, extrusions, castings, and rack-level integration.\n\nDirect mechanical engineers on 3D models and 2D drawings for every component and assembly (DFMA-based datum schemes), and run tolerance stack-ups to define IQC, IPQC, and OQC criteria across EVT, DVT, and PVT.\n\nOwn rack-level integration (power distribution, cable management, blind-mate connectors, backplane interface, tray insertion/extraction) and packaging design, partnering with JDM/ODM to refine both.\n\nLead liquid cooling design and qualification - cold plates, manifolds, CDU interfaces, QD fittings - from components through L10/L11/L12 validation; partner with thermal engineering on cooling architecture and leak detection.\n\nChampion DFM/DFA practices, drive 100% functional test coverage, and guide reliability testing, RMA, and failure analysis.\n\nServe as lead mechanical point of contact for JDM/ODM - running DFM/qualification reviews, owning BOM and drawings, and authoring DVT/PVT test plans (structural, vibration, shock, thermal, prototype builds).\n\nEnsure designs meet OCP, ASHRAE, and IEC standards; build and mentor the mechanical/thermal team while managing schedules and risk alongside TPM.\n\nWho You Are\n15+ years of mechanical engineering experience in server, data center, or AI compute hardware, with hands-on experience designing mechanical components, sub-assemblies, and assemblies at the tray and rack level\n\nExperience leading mechanical teams to design rack-scale hardware: compute trays, rack enclosures, or server platforms delivered to OCP Open Rack standards\n\nExperience in volumetric analysis, stack tolerance analysis, and FEA analysis\n\nExperience integrating liquid cooling systems (cold plates, manifolds, CDU interfaces) into the whole architecture\n\nExperience generating DFMA with sheet metal, extrusion, casting, and machining manufacturing processes\n\nExperience in sustainable manufacturing compliance, and design of fixtures and test setups for multiple applications (in-process testing, reliability testing, functional testing)\n\nExperience leading the ODM/JDM in setting up an assembly line through EVT, DVT, PVT, and MP phases\n\nBonus Points\nExperience with high-power AI accelerator platforms\n\nPrior experience designing for OCP ORV3 or Open Rack Wide (ORW) platforms, or direct involvement in an OCP contribution/workstream.\n\nHands-on experience with direct-to-chip liquid cooling at rack scale - cold plate design, manifold routing, QD fitting selection, and CDU integration for high power racks.\n\nExperience taking a mechanical design through high-volume manufacturing with JDM/ODM partners in Taiwan or China, including on-site NPI support.\n\nFamiliarity with rear door heat exchanger (RDHx) integration as a complement to DLC for residual thermal load.\n\nCompensation\nThe US base salary for this full-time position is determined based on a variety of factors including role, experience, location, job-related skills, and relevant education and training. Career length is only a guideline for compensation.\nEarly Career - $160,000 - $275,000 + equity\n\nMid Career - $175,000 - $400,000 + equity\n\nSenior Career - $250,000 - $600,000 + equity\n\nWhat We Offer\nTime off: 4 weeks PTO (accrued) + 12 company Holidays + up to 3 weeks remote work\n\nHealth: Company-subsidized Medical (Kaiser or Anthem) for employees & dependents, Guardian Dental and Vision insurances for employee & dependents, and life insurance (employee only), plus HSA and FSA offerings via Lively.\n\nFinancial Security: Choose from Roth or pre-tax 401K (or both) with a 5% company contribution (even if you don't contribute), 100% company-paid life insurance (up to $300K), long-term disability and travel insurance.\n\nProfessional Development: $1500 per year Professional Development Budget\n\nTeam Meals: MatX provides onsite team lunch & dinner Monday - Friday, with your choice of ordering via WeBox, Specialty’s or via our reimbursement system\n\nCommute on Us: We pay 100% for your daily commute. Commute via our company rideshare account, reimburse public transportation, or get a Fasttrak card (or all three)\n\nMatX E[x]tras: $50/mo to use on the perk you value most\n\nCell & Internet Reimbursement: $35/mo for cellular and $40/mo for wifi\n\nRemote Home Setup: Use our Amazon business account for up to $1000 in office setup purchases.\n\nMental Wellbeing: 100% paid mental health benefit via SpringHealth and Guardian EAP.\n\nSupport to Parents: Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave regardless of path to parenthood, 10 weeks pregnancy disability leave, flexible return-to-work hours, and a $6K Family Fund to cover fertility, surrogacy, adoption, menopausal health, preservation, family counseling and more.\n\nAs part of our dedication to the diversity of our team and our focus on creating an inviting and inclusive work experience, MatX is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.\n---------\nThis position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicant's capacity to perform job functions in compliance with U.S. export control laws without obtaining a license from U.S. export control authorities.\n--------\nMatX does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or People team and any resumes submitted are deemed to be the property of MatX.","description_format":"text","description_chars":6752,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":15,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Equity","Internet reimbursement","Life insurance","Parental leave","Professional development","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Artificial Intelligence","AI Chips & Accelerators"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-25T12:29:18Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 8","filings_12m":8,"filings_prev_12m":7,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":206250,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":1}],"liveness":{"score":21,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.464,"p_room":0.45,"age_days":54,"expected_fill_days":36,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","velocity","win:tail"],"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":275000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/matx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/matx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T10:11:27Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":7285,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1776304},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1776304"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fmatx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fmatx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fmatx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/matx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fmatx-mechanical-engineering-lead-ai-rack-scale-systems"}]}