Mechanical Engineer
Tovala
Illinois, USA · Chicago, IL, USA · W Adams St, Chicago, IL, USA
Posted on Jan 28, 2026
We’re Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we’ve amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We’ve raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.
The Mechanical Engineer position is a hands-on role with a focus on product development. This role is responsible for supporting all efforts related to the design, development, and integration of mechanical systems into our oven products. In this role, you will work with a cross-functional team to design and implement ideas using CAD models, drawings, cost estimates, prototyping, and testing products.
Location: Chicagoland or Champaign-Urbana areas
Day-to-Day Focus Areas:
- We encourage you to apply even if you only meet a few of the focus areas!
- Generates and refines design solutions to identified product and regulatory requirements, formalizes designs with the use of CAD tools.
- Supports the creation of project definition and execution of all project phases in accordance with the defined stage gate process.
- Structures and conducts required testing with the support of internal and external resources.
- Uses formal tools such as Six Sigma, DFMEA, PFMEA, DFM, and FEA.
- Supports other oven initiatives including the resolution of quality issues and productivity initiatives.
- Coordinate manufacturing plan across multiple global suppliers, including but not limited to quality, cost, and manufacturing improvement projects.
- Research and review IP related to competitive landscape and oven initiatives.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- 5-10+ years of relevant experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or similar Engineering discipline
- Experience in design/manufacturing of injection molding, casting, sheet metal fabrication is preferred. Moderate competence in at least one area is required
The values we hold dear
Put the team first
We put what is best for the broader team ahead of what is best for ourselves or our immediate department.
Get s#!t done (well)
We celebrate people at all levels for delivering high impact work that expands the bounds of what we’re able to do.
Connect the dots
We engage with curiosity to learn how our work impacts others so that we can problem-solve holistically and work collaboratively.
Be Direct
We share our perspective openly and directly, even when it feels difficult to do so.
Embrace the obstacles
We rise to meet challenges with a sense of urgency, resolve, and optimism.
Champion the customer
We consider and prioritize our customer in all of our decisions
At Tovala we‘re committed to building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here!