Mechanical Design Engineer

About Us

At Basis, we're not just building a company — we're building the future. We're redesigning the electrical systems that power our homes to fight climate change, reduce household costs, and create a better future for generations to come. That means rethinking everything, not just what we build, but how we build it.

To do this, we need incredible people. People who are bold, creative, sharp, and thoughtful. People who care. People who move fast and think differently. That's where you come in.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Basis to join our Sustaining Team, as a Mechanical Design Engineer. 

In this role, you'll own complex mechanical designs from concept to mass production, guiding every stage of the process to ensure our solutions set new standards in performance, manufacturability, and reliability. You'll also play a pivotal part in shaping how we build; providing technical direction, fostering collaboration, and mentoring others as you help elevate the team's collective capability.

At Basis, our Mechanical Engineers are more than designers; they're technical leaders and innovators, combining deep expertise with creative problem-solving to turn bold ideas into beautifully engineered products that make a real-world impact.

Some of the things that you might be involved in include:

• Lead complex mechanical design projects — from concept to production — delivering high-performance, manufacturable systems.
• Own design decisions across sheet metal, injection molding, and other advanced manufacturing methods.
• Use advanced analysis tools (FEA, tolerance stack-ups, mold flow, etc.) to validate and optimise performance.
• Integrate seamlessly with electrical and industrial design to achieve cohesive, system-level solutions.
• Champion DFM/DFA principles, ensuring designs are production-ready, reliable, and scalable.
• Partner with suppliers and manufacturing teams to optimise tooling, cost, and quality outcomes.
• Promote sustainability through smart material choices and environmentally responsible design practices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, elevating team capability and strengthening our design culture.
• Evolve our design processes and standards, helping define what "good" looks like at Basis.
• Shape the future of our products and tools, contributing to roadmaps and exploring new technologies.

About You

We think you'll be a fit for this role if you have the following skills/or traits:

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent experience
• ~5 years' experience in product development or mechanical design for high-volume manufacturing
• Proven success delivering products from concept to market, ideally across multiple manufacturing processes
• Advanced proficiency in CAD (Onshape preferred) and associated tools for documentation and simulation
• Experience collaborating with external vendors, managing tolerances, cost optimisation, and risk mitigation
• Demonstrated ability to balance speed and rigour in a start-up or fast-paced environment
• An ability to take initiative, follow through on what you say you'll do, and own your mistakes
• View challenges as opportunities for growth, adapt positively to change and embrace feedback

Research shows that while men apply for jobs when they meet ~ 60% of the job criteria, women and other marginalised groups tend to apply only when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but are not sure you check every box, we still want to hear from you

Benefits

• A competitive salary and employee share scheme (ESOP)
• Unlimited annual leave so that you can take the time that you need to re-energise
• Tools of trade, including laptop and headphone allowance
• Flexible hours - we focus on outcomes, so adjust your day around whānau, hobbies, or other commitments.
• A schedule of fun team events throughout the year (Lego Battlebots, table tennis, themed Friday drinks, and more)
• Office dogs + steady supply of fresh fruit and snacks in the office
• Access to Clearhead, our well-being programme which gives you 5x free sessions with a psychologist per year
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion: Pride Committee and partnering with Pride Pledge, DEIB Committee, EEO Policy and well-being strategy
• Parental leave policy that tops up wages to 100% for the primary caregiver for up to 22 weeks and up to 6 weeks for secondary caregivers (conditions apply)
• Working with an incredible, low ego engineering team who never shy away from ambitious goals or pushing themselves outside their comfort zones

Let's Talk

We'd love to hear from you No need to submit a cover letter - just click 'apply' to answer a few short questions of ours (we find this gives us more insight) and attach your CV.

If you have any questions about the role, fire them over to Steph