Senior Design Engineer

The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is building the future of sustainable lumber with next-generation sawmill technology. We design and operate state-of-the-art modular sawmills that produce high-grade dimensional wood products with greater efficiency and less waste. Backed by leading investors including Cantos, Slow Ventures, Susa Ventures, Banter Capital, Humba Ventures, and Ravelin Capital.

The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to co-own the development of our next-generation sawmill from the ground up. You will work in a small team of engineers and technicians, bringing senior technical judgment, hands-on design instincts, and the kind of launch experience that closes the gap between what's drawn and what works in the field. If you've spent your career at a large company doing iterative work on a mature platform and you're ready to own something from scratch, this is that opportunity.

This role is based in the Seattle area and is best suited for candidates who are already local or are excited to put down roots here, with frequent and regular travel to our Mississippi mill sites.

What You'll Do

• Co-own the design and development of TLM's next-generation sawmill from concept through commissioning

• Design complex mechanical systems integrating hydraulic, pneumatic, and sensor controls for lumber processing

• Lead failure analysis and root cause investigations, driving corrective actions to full closure

• Document design development and analysis; lead cross-functional brainstorming and design reviews

• Author equipment installation and test procedures, and see them used in the field

• Manage part procurement and vendor relationships through design, prototyping, and production

• Engage and manage external vendors

• Collaborate with on-site engineers and technicians in Mississippi on installation, testing, and field feedback

• Provide regular updates to cross-functional partners across a distributed team

• Adapt to changing priorities and support team and operational needs as they evolve

What We're Looking For
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or manufacturing engineering

• Demonstrated experience taking complex physical products from concept to working hardware — zero-to-one, not incremental iteration on a mature platform

• Hands-on background: you've worked in a shop, on a production floor, or directly alongside manufacturing at some point in your career

• Strong experience with 3D CAD software; Autodesk Inventor is a bonus

• Strong experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis on 2D drawings

• Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems

• Experience with finite element analysis

• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to working across a distributed team

• Demonstrated ability to create and drive new processes independently

• Comfortable working in an active production environment: at heights, with PPE

• Willingness to travel 25-33% to our Mississippi mill sites and remain accessible outside standard hours for a cross-geography team

What would make you stand out:

• Design experience in industries with large electromechanical or driven mechanical systems — powertrain, agricultural equipment, industrial automation, mining, oil and gas capital equipment, or heavy manufacturing

• Experience working in a startup

• Experience with FMEA or PFMEA in a real production or NPI context

• PLC experience; indirect is fine

• Sawmill or timber industry experience

• Lean Six Sigma or equivalent process improvement background

The expected starting annual base salary for this position is $170,000. Our compensation and benefits package includes comprehensive health coverage, life insurance, and flexible time off. The applicable annual base salary paid to a successful applicant will be determined based on multiple factors, including but not limited to the nature and extent of prior experience and educational background.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including:

• 100% employer-paid health coverage for employees and dependents (medical, dental, and vision)

• 100% employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage

• Paid time off and company holidays

• The opportunity to help build something from the ground up in an essential, evolving industry

Join our team as we modernize timber from forest to finished product.

The Lumber Manufactory is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.