Staff Product Design Engineer

About the Company:

Tools for Humanity (TFH) designs and builds technology behind World. World is building a real human network designed to accelerate people in the age of AI. As bots and autonomous agents reshape the internet, people, institutions, and applications need a trusted way to confirm who is a real human while preserving privacy. The TFH and World tech stacks make this possible: the Orb verifies real, unique people, World ID proves it privately, and World App puts these capabilities, and more, in people’s hands. Together, they add a human layer to an AI-driven internet.

World is already running at a global scale. More than 17 million people across 160 countries have verified with World ID, and more new Orb verifications take place each week. World App is already among the most used wallets globally. Developers are integrating World ID to build safer online experiences and create spaces where real people can participate, earn, and be recognized in ways AI simply can’t replicate.

Founded in 2019, TFH has more than 400 people across hardware, software, AI, cryptography, mobile engineering, and global operations. Our teams come from OpenAI, Tesla, SpaceX, Apple, Google, Stripe, Meta, Coinbase, Palantir and MIT Media Lab. We’re backed by leading investors, including a16z, Khosla Ventures, Bain Capital Crypto, Blockchain Capital, Variant, Tiger Global, and Coinbase Ventures, as well as prominent operators and founders across fintech and AI.

TFH and World have been featured on the cover of TIME Magazine, highlighted in Fast Company’s Next 5 in Fintech, and explored in a Bloomberg deep dive. The New York Times, Bankless and TechCrunch have all recognized our collective progress in identity, cryptography, AI, and global-scale hardware deployment. Our leadership is also named to the Time AI 100. Learn more about the newest product launches from our Liftoff event.

This opportunity would be with Tools for Humanity.

The Device Team at Tools for Humanity is responsible for all aspects of driving the Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Logistics, Physical Security, Field Operational Compliance, and Technical Support of our world-class hardware devices reaching billions of people globally. We are a rapidly growing, highly cross-functional team that strategically partners with industrial design, optics, software, market operations, and finance teams to define product requirements and execute on development. Join our dynamic team and contribute to the operational excellence of our organization. We offer competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.

Tools for Humanity is seeking a highly experienced Staff / Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and development of our next-generation hardware systems. This role goes beyond execution—you will define technical direction, drive complex cross-functional programs, and ensure our products meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, manufacturability, and user experience at global scale.

You will operate as a technical leader across the full product lifecycle—from early concept and system architecture through design validation and mass production—while influencing product strategy, mentoring engineers, and shaping best practices across the organization.

• Own end-to-end mechanical architecture for complex hardware systems, making high-impact design decisions that balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and user experience

• Lead full lifecycle product development across multiple programs, from early concept through mass production and sustaining engineering

• Drive cross-functional alignment with Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Operations to define product requirements and execution strategy

• Translate ambiguous product requirements into scalable mechanical solutions, setting technical direction and resolving tradeoffs across disciplines

• Lead design reviews and establish engineering standards, ensuring high-quality execution across teams and partners

• Guide prototyping and validation strategy, including test planning, data analysis, and iteration to de-risk critical design decisions

• Identify and resolve complex technical challenges, proactively mitigating risks across performance, reliability, and manufacturability

• Partner closely with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to optimize DFM/DFA, yield, and cost at scale, including oversight of contract manufacturers

• Drive material selection and cost optimization strategies at the system level

• Evaluate and ensure product reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance for global deployment

• Mentor and elevate other engineers, contributing to team growth, hiring, and technical culture

• Influence product roadmap and long-term technology strategy through deep technical expertise and systems thinking

• 12+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a strong track record of delivering complex consumer hardware products to mass production

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale or technically complex programs, with ownership over system-level design decisions

• Deep expertise in mechanical design fundamentals, including mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, and system integration

• Strong experience with FEA, CFD, and tolerance analysis, with the ability to guide others in simulation-driven design

• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent), including complex assemblies and design for manufacturing

• Extensive experience with injection molding, high-volume manufacturing processes, and DFM/DFA principles

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority across engineering, design, and operations teams

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders

• Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to team development

• Experience shipping consumer electronics or high-volume hardware devices

• Background in optics, cameras, or sensor-integrated systems

• Experience working with global contract manufacturers and supply chains

• Previous experience in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments

• Familiarity with reliability engineering and environmental testing standards

• An open and collaborative office space in downtown SF

• Unlimited PTO

• Monthly Phone Reimbursement or a company device

• In-office meals

• Top-tier medical, dental, vision insurance

• 401k + employer match program

If you are passionate about designing smart and feature-integrated components and systems for innovative hardware products and want to be part of a team shaping the future of the global economy, we would like to hear from you! Apply now at Tools for Humanity and make a difference on a global scale.

Pay transparency statement (for CA and NY based roles):

The reasonably estimated salary for this role at TFH in San Francisco ranges from $272,000 - $320,000, plus a competitive long term incentive package, and may include variable compensation. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, TFH offers a wide range of best in class, comprehensive and inclusive employee benefits for this role including healthcare, dental, vision and mental health benefits, a 401(k) plan and match, life insurance, flexible time off, commuter benefits, professional development stipend and much more!