Mechanical Engineer - Based in Guangzhou, China

Who are we: 
Caraway is a home goods brand on a mission to craft well-designed, non-toxic kitchenware that thoughtfully raises the standards of what you cook with. We’re passionate about creating elevated products, free of chemicals, that are better for you, your family, and the world. We prioritize a holistic approach to the creation of Caraway products. We partner with ethical manufacturers where their employees are safe, paid fairly, given benefits, and work regulated hours. Our eco-friendly manufacturing process releases less CO2 into the environment than traditional non-stick coatings and we engage in sustainable packaging practices, free of single-use plastics and ship in packaging made from recycled materials. We pride ourselves on continuously striving to do and be better - for you and the planet - every step of the process. 

Since launching in November 2019, we’ve become one of the fastest growing digitally-native brands of the last decade and are now sold in retailers including Target, Bloomingdale’s, Crate & Barrel, Container Store, Costco, Zola, and many more.

We’ve amassed over 70,000+ five-star reviews from happy customers and hundreds of press hits from the likes of Vogue, Domino, Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine, Architectural Digest, PureWow, Fortune, CNN. 

Caraway is a fully-remote company filled with motivated and hardworking innovators and doers. We’re continually developing programs to support our distributed team to ensure a successful remote experience. If you’re looking to join a brand that folks love, read on and apply! 

The Opportunity:
We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our Caraway team in China. This role will work closely with the Product Development team to improve existing products and create new ones to expand our market offerings.

As the first mechanical engineer in this region, you will be very important for the success of our projects. You will manage the mechanical design, manufacturing, and sourcing activities with both internal and external teams. Additionally, as the main technical team member in this region, you will need to clearly direct and communicate project details to factory teams to meet our product requirements. This job is ideally based in Guangzhou and will report to our Director of Product Development, Asia.

Who You Are: 
The perfect person for this job should have a background in mechanical or systems engineering and 5-10 years of experience. They should be excited to create new products and systems from the beginning. They need to use their technical knowledge to build CAD models, choose internal parts, improve system design, and solve technical problems. It is also good if they know a lot about manufacturing processes like stampings, extrusions, injection molding, coatings, assembly, and tool design.

To do well in this job, the person must be self-motivated, good at hands-on work, creative at solving problems, and able to work alone and with others. They should be able to make clear conclusions from different information and give clear instructions to suppliers based on their analysis. The perfect person will also be good at and comfortable talking with outside vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers, as well as people inside the company. Additionally, they must be able to communicate and give directions to suppliers based on their technical knowledge to meet Caraway’s design and performance needs.

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct mechanical design and analysis activities, including 3D modeling, prototyping, and design for manufacturing/assembly (DFx), to make sure designs are strong and optimized
• Work closely with the supplier(s) to develop and specify engineering components, following the size constraints of the industrial design CAD models, for new product development
• Work with suppliers and our internal quality engineer to resolve technical issues, implement design changes, and improve manufacturability. Knowing root cause and corrective action (RCCA), statistical process control (SPC), and Six Sigma is a plus
• Oversee the manufacturing process, work with internal teams and external suppliers to make sure production is efficient and products are delivered on time and are high-quality. Find ways to improve  cost, quality, and efficiency. 
• Lead and manage projects from start to finish, making sure they follow timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Work closely with suppliers to complete projects and provide clear, timely communication to maintain timelines
• Manage the sourcing and selection of suppliers, conduct supplier evaluations, negotiate contracts, and ensure they meet quality and delivery requirements
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices in mechanical design and manufacturing

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Must be fluent in both Chinese and English, with excellent written and spoken communication skills in both languages
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, manufacturing, or a related role
• Proficiency with CAD software (such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and experience with mechanical design and analysis tools
• Hands-on experience and strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, like machining, injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, and assembly
• Ability to understand and create technical drawings, specifications, and engineering documentation
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills; able to identify and resolve technical issues quickly and efficiently
• Must be able to work independently and make good decisions on their own
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well with different teams and external stakeholders
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and adapt to changing project needs
• Must be able to travel 25-50% of the time to our manufacturing partner’s facilities, sometimes on short notice, for up to 2 weeks at a time
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Should be familiar with sourcing and supplier management practices, like supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and supplier performance monitoring
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations, such as ISO 9001, ASME, and ASTM is preferred

Caraway Life:
Caraway is an exciting, fully remote DTC retail startup company that is bringing kitchenware and home goods into the modern era, leading from a non-toxic and sustainable foundation.

Team: You will be joining a passionate and collaborative fully-remote team that prides itself on high-quality work, supporting one another, sharing our successes, and building a brand we truly love, together.

Culture: At Caraway, we value continuous learning and career growth. We strive to continually optimize our processes, ensuring that we’re thoughtful in everything we do, both internally and externally. We listen to our employees, celebrate our wins, and constantly look for ways to be better for our team, and the world. 

Workplace: Being a fully-remote company, we have no headquarters and are truly distributed across the US, with manufacturing support in China. Our leadership team sits on both the East and West Coast of the US and we have folks in a variety of states.

Benefits: We value you and your family. With this in mind, full-time eligible employees are provided: 

• Competitive salary 
• Unlimited PTO 
• 11+ paid holidays
• Fully Remote Company
• High quality home and kitchen product + swag, F&F discounts

Caraway is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status