Junior R&D Mechanical Engineer – Onsite | Crash & Impact Product Design

Junior R&D Mechanical Engineer – Onsite | Crash & Impact Product Design | Direct Hire Location: Rocklin, CA (Onsite – 5 days/week) Employment Type: Direct Hire Travel: Limited, primarily tied to major testing milestones Immediate hiring need — interviews are already underway. Apply now to be considered. About the Opportunity Our client, a leading manufacturer in the highway safety and industrial products sector, is seeking a Junior Research & Development Engineer to join their onsite engineering team in Rocklin, CA. This is a true hands-on R&D role focused on mechanical design, prototype development, and impact/crash performance testing. Engineers here dont just model parts — they design products that must perform under extreme, real-world conditions. Projects typically span 1–3 years and involve full lifecycle ownership from concept through crash validation and manufacturing handoff. If you enjoy mechanical design, steel fabrication, FEA, and solving complex controlled failure challenges — this role offers rare exposure to real-world product impact testing and long-cycle innovation work. Key Responsibilities Lead development of new products and enhancements from concept through production release Perform conceptual and detailed mechanical design using 3D CAD tools Conduct Finite Element Analysis (nonlinear dynamic experience preferred) Develop and manage project schedules, test matrices, and validation plans Design and evaluate prototypes for crash/impact performance Conduct materials research and failure analysis Recommend manufacturing processes and support fixture/jig design Partner closely with fabrication and manufacturing teams to ensure design-for-manufacturability Prepare technical documentation, cost analyses, and engineering reports Present findings and final design packages to cross-functional stakeholders Required Qualifications Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field Masters degree candidates with strong academic project experience will also be considered Minimum 3 years of R&D or product development experience Strong mechanical design experience (Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar 3D CAD) Experience with Finite Element Analysis (LS-DYNA preferred; other FEA tools acceptable) Hands-on knowledge of steel design and manufacturing processes Exposure to fabrication methods including welding and machining Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and presentation abilities Ability to work independently and cross-functionally Nice to Have Experience designing for welding Multi-material design experience (steel, aluminum, plastics, composites) Patent support or product innovation documentation exposure Personal fabrication or mechanical build experience Whats in It for You Competitive compensation package based on experience Medical, Dental, Vision coverage 401(k) with company match Paid Time Off Employee Assistance Program Long-cycle R&D projects with full product ownership Real-world crash testing exposure High visibility within engineering and manufacturing leadership Stable, growing organization within an essential infrastructure industry This is an opportunity to build deep mechanical design expertise while working on products that directly impact public safety and infrastructure performance. If youre a driven mechanical engineer who enjoys hands-on product development and advanced FEA, we want to hear from you. Apply today — we are actively shortlisting candidates for interviews.