Mechanical Engineer - Automation & Testing

Avicena is a privately held company developing micro

LED based ultra-low power high bandwidth interconnects for chip-to-chip communications. This technology will revolutionize High-Performance (HPC) and Cloud computing, as well as other industries where low power interconnects are critical like camera sensors, autonomous vehicles, and aerospace. Avicena is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with a development center in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 2019 by leading technologists from the optical networking industry with a track record of delivering breakthrough products.

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We are seeking an entry-level to mid-level (IC1 – IC2) mechanical engineer to join our interdisciplinary Automation and Testing team. This role is critical to developing the mechanical infrastructure that enables high-speed, automated testing of our uLED optical interconnect technology. You'll design fixtures, test stations, and automation systems that validate our cutting-edge products while working at the intersection of mechanical design, optics, electronics, and software.

• Design mechanical parts, fixtures, and assemblies with proper GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Create detailed mechanical drawings and prepare specifications for manufacturing vendors
• Design for different materials (metals, plastics, composites) and manufacturing methods (CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal)
• Understand design trade-offs between prototyping methods (3D printing) and production manufacturing (machining)
• Understand design revisioning, PDM and PLM
• Work with mechanical, electrical, optical, and software engineers to develop project strategies and approaches
• Select appropriate fasteners and develop assembly strategies for multi-component systems

• Design and build mechanical mock-ups and proof-of-concept prototypes to validate design approaches before full system integration
• Develop test fixtures for optical testing, including wafer probing, LED/photodetector array alignment, and fiber optic integration
• Design fixtures that accommodate movement requirements, balancing complexity, accuracy, and speed for high-throughput automation
• Create mechanical systems that manage vibration control, thermal effects, vacuum hold-downs, and part handling
• Design for ESD protection and clean room environments where required

• Perform micron-level assembly and alignment of optical components
• Integrate mechanical fixtures with electronics, circuit boards, and optical test equipment
• Develop low-volume assembly production processes and maintain component inventory
• Build and validate sub-modules before full system assembly
• Retrofit and upgrade existing designs to add new capabilities or improve performance

• Communicate with manufacturing houses to understand their capabilities and design within those constraints
• Source quotes and submit purchase requests for components and materials
• Manage parts procurement and inventory for sub-assemblies and test systems

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 0-3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and prototyping
• Proficiency in mechanical CAD software (Autodesk Inventor preferred)
• Strong understanding of:
• GD&T principles and tolerance analysis
• Material properties and selection criteria
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Fastener selection and assembly techniques
• Hands-on prototyping skills and experience building physical assemblies
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced startup environment
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills

• Experience with motion control systems (linear stages, actuators, servo systems)
• Knowledge of optical systems, fiber optics, or optical testing methods
• Familiarity with RF testing or other specialized test methodologies
• Understanding of electronics, circuit boards, and PCB integration
• Experience with thermal management and vacuum systems
• Knowledge of clean room protocols and requirements
• Experience with FEA analysis…