Senior Mechanical Engineer (Apparel & Accessories)

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of new WHOOP bands and accessories from initial concept through production ramp, owning form, fit, and function of critical components.
• Drive product architecture decisions in partnership with Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering, Product Management, and Operations to ensure robust, user-centered solutions.
• Create and manage high-fidelity CAD models, assemblies, and detailed 2D documentation for both internal design reviews and external manufacturing partners.
• Spearhead second sourcing and dual tooling efforts for critical mechanical components to ensure supply chain resilience and reduce manufacturing risk.
• Define and execute validation test plans; apply root-cause analysis to field and manufacturing issues and implement design improvements.
• Provide technical leadership during design reviews, manufacturing builds, and supplier engagements, both domestic and international.
• Establish and maintain material specifications, DFM/DFA standards, and mechanical design best practices within the team.
• Mentor junior engineers, sharing expertise in mechanical design, prototyping, and cross-functional product development.
• Up to 20% travel to contract manufacturers and suppliers.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field; M.S. a plus.
• 6+ years of mechanical design experience, with ownership of multiple products through full development cycles. Must demonstrate deep technical fluency in end-to-end product development, including concept creation, prototyping, design iteration, DFM/DFA, EVT/DVT/PVT, and production support.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo) for both concept modeling and detailed production-level design; experience with tolerance stack-ups and drawing standards required.
• Extensive experience with a range of materials and processes, including plastics, silicones, textiles, elastomers, metals, and overmolding; prior work integrating soft goods and electronics is highly desirable.
• Proven success working with and managing global suppliers and manufacturers, including qualification and ramp-up support.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence decision-making across teams. Excellent communication and organizational skills; ability to balance technical depth with strategic execution.
• Passion for product development and attention to detail.
• Experience working with offshore manufacturing partners preferred.
• Knowledge of wearables, sports/fitness accessories, or human factors engineering preferred.
• Familiarity with FEA tools, rapid prototyping, and environmental testing preferred.