Director of Mechanical Engineering at Rideonewheel

We are a Santa Cruz-based team dedicated to revolutionizing the world of boardsports and personal transportation. We are currently building innovative light electric vehicles and are looking for a visionary leader to help us bring our next generation of products to life. If you are passionate about combining high-end engineering with the thrill of outdoor movement, we would love to meet you.

What is this role?

We are looking for a Director of Mechanical Engineering to join us on a full-time, on-site basis at our headquarters in Santa Cruz, California. This is a senior-level position for an experienced professional with 7 to 15 or more years of industry expertise. You will be responsible for leading our mechanical engineering efforts, mentoring our talented staff, and ensuring our products transition successfully from initial concepts to the hands of our customers.

What will you do?

• Guide new light electric vehicle projects through every stage of development, including initial conceptualization, detailed design, prototyping, and new product introduction.
• Oversee the allocation of team resources and manage daily tasks to ensure all project milestones are met on schedule.
• Collaborate closely with our electrical engineering team to integrate complex components like PCBAs and wire harnesses while managing vendor relationships for sourcing and quality assurance.

What makes you a great fit?

To succeed in this role, you should be a hands-on engineer who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment. We are looking for someone who possesses the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Expertise in Solidworks and a deep understanding of design for manufacturing processes such as injection molding, die-casting, and CNC machining.
• Proven experience managing and growing mechanical engineering teams, ideally ranging from 2 to 20 people.
• A strong background in electromechanical systems, particularly within the electric vehicle or outdoor industry.
• Practical experience with machine shop prototyping and quality control inspection techniques.
• Excellent communication skills in English, allowing you to effectively document designs and lead interdisciplinary collaboration.

What's in it for you?

Beyond the opportunity to shape the future of transportation, you will work in a vibrant office located on the westside of Santa Cruz, just half a mile from the beach. You will be part of a creative, forward-thinking culture that values your vision and your ability to solve complex engineering challenges.