Mechanical Design Engineer

About Daedal Systems

Daedal Systems is a plasma diagnostic company for the fusion energy industry. Today, every fusion company needs the same R&D plasma diagnostics, but each company builds them themselves in-house, despite them not being core IP. Daedal Systems is building a platform for industrialized plasma diagnostics, which will enable us to deploy suites of plasma diagnostics on fusion devices across the industry. Ultimately, we will provide the operating infrastructure for every fusion power plant.

We are seeking talented individuals spanning plasma diagnosticians, engineers and operators to join us in this mission to accelerate fusion energy with industrialized plasma diagnostics. We are building the measurement infrastructure layer upon which fusion will be realized.

The Role

Daedal Systems is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to support current and future development of our industrialized plasma diagnostic platform. Reporting to the technical leadership, you will play a pivotal role in taking complex diagnostic instruments—spanning optical, RF/microwave, and X-ray technologies—from conceptual designs to rugged, industrialized, deployable systems integrated on fusion devices worldwide.

In this role, you will own the physical packaging of precision instruments, rapidly prototype experimental hardware, and lead the mechanical design and setup of our core testing laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Instrument Packaging & Integration: Design robust, field-ready physical enclosures and packaging for optical measurement devices, RF/microwave measurement devices, and X-ray diagnostic hardware.
• Rapid Prototyping & Experimental Setups: Utilize CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) and additive manufacturing (3D printing) to rapidly design, build, and iterate lab testbeds and experimental prototypes.
• Facility & Laboratory Design: Serve as an integral lead in designing and setting up Daedal’s experimental laboratory for high-powered Class 4 lasers, RF emitters, and X-ray sources, including facility partitioning, radiation/laser shielding, safety interlocks, and general utility layout.
• Mechanical Systems Lifecycle: Build, commission, and operate mechanical specialized auxiliary systems critical to diagnostic operations.
• Engineering Analysis & Validation: Perform analytical calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to validate designs for harsh operating environments (e.g., high vacuum, thermal stress, mechanical shock, high energy/cleanliness).
• Collaboration & Vendor Management: Work closely with physicists, diagnostic engineers, and technicians to translate measurement requirements into mechanical hardware, while managing relationships with specialized suppliers and fabrication partners.
• Documentation & Standards: Create detailed engineering drawings with GD&T, maintain design documentation/BOMs, and assist in establishing right-sized mechanical engineering processes.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering Physics with mechanical specialization or Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics with strong background in Physics.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 3–5 years of post-graduate experience in practical mechanical design, CAD modeling, and hardware implementation.
• Proven background in Physics
• Demonstrated experience in mechanical packaging for precision hardware, sensors, optics, RF/microwave components, or radiation/X-ray systems.
• Proven track record with hands-on rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and iterative design-build-test cycles.
• Strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals, statics, dynamics, thermal management, materials selection, and GD&T principles.
• Based in Toronto or willing to relocate
• Comfortable with travel to support client systems around the globe, up to 20% of the time.

Desirable

• Direct experience designing laboratories or test facilities involving Class 4 lasers, high-power RF, or X-ray equipment (including interlocks and shielding considerations).
• Registration with PEO/EGBC as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), or actively on-track for registration.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, and FEA simulation software.
• Prior experience in an early-stage startup or deep-tech hardware company.
• Experience designing hardware for high-vacuum, high-cleanliness, or inert environments (e.g., gloveboxes).

What You Can Expect

You will join as one of Daedal's early technical hires and have the opportunity to shape the physical engineering layer of the measurement infrastructure applied across the fusion industry. The role carries significant autonomy. You will lead the mechanical lifecycle of key diagnostic systems from concept design to operational deployment, directly influencing Daedal's platform architecture.

What We Offer

• Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $130,000 CAD (tailored to experience and fit)
• Equity: Significant equity ownership in an early start-up
• Health: Comprehensive health benefits package
• Development: Flexible hours and support for professional development
• Culture: Work in a highly collaborative environment where your contributions are appreciated and the team is supportive of each other

Daedal Systems is committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, assessment and selection process.