Job Title: Mechanical Designer Custom Automation Equipment

Job Description

This role focuses on designing complex, fully custom automation equipment, tooling, and machine components using SolidWorks and similar CAD tools. You will own mechanical design activities from initial concept through detailed design, build, debug, installation, and commissioning. The position offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated, real-world production systems and to grow into leading a small mechanical design team as you gain experience with the organizations equipment and engineering processes.

Responsibilities

- Design complex custom automation equipment, tooling, and machine components using SolidWorks or similar CAD software.
- Develop mechanical concepts and complete detailed designs based on customer requirements, cycle times, process constraints, and project specifications.
- Create detailed drawings, assemblies, and bills of materials (BOMs) to support manufacturing and assembly.
- Take full ownership of mechanical design activities from concept through detailed design, build, debug, installation, and commissioning.
- Ensure designs are practical for manufacturing, assembly, serviceability, and long-term equipment performance.
- Collaborate closely with controls, electrical, process, manufacturing, and project teams to ensure complete system integration.
- Participate in design reviews, contribute technical input, and incorporate feedback to resolve issues throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide technical guidance and support to junior and intermediate designers as needed.
- Review drawings and designs for accuracy, manufacturability, adherence to project requirements, and internal design standards.




- Maintain proper revision control, BOM accuracy, and engineering documentation within a PDM/PLM system.
- Support troubleshooting and implement design changes during equipment build, debug, runoff, installation, and commissioning.
- Ensure all designs comply with applicable safety standards, customer requirements, and internal engineering best practices.
- Progressively take on responsibility for coordinating the work of a small mechanical design team as familiarity with equipment and processes grows.
- Assign and prioritize design work, review drawings and technical deliverables, and support other designers and engineers.
- Monitor design activities against project timelines and help identify design risks, workload constraints, and schedule concerns early to keep engineering deliverables on track.

Essential Skills

- Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design of complex equipment and components.
- Hands-on experience with custom automation, machine building, or manufacturing equipment design.
- Experience with end-to-end machine design, from concept through commissioning.
- Experience using Product Data Management (PDM) and/or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for revision control and documentation.
- Ability to lead projects and provide direction to other designers.
- Professional engineering designation (P. Eng).




- Prior experience in a lead or managerial capacity within mechanical design or automation projects.
- Strong understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM) and long-term equipment performance.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including controls, electrical, process, and manufacturing.
- Robust troubleshooting skills to support design changes during build, debug, and commissioning.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience with Upchain or similar PDM/PLM platforms.
- Familiarity with DraftSight, AutoCAD, or other 2D CAD tools.
- Experience with machine design for robotic integration, vision systems, assembly equipment, production lines, and custom machinery.
- Experience with end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) design.
- Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T;).
- Experience applying design for manufacturability (DFM) principles in production environments.
- Exposure to simulation tools and methods to validate or optimize mechanical designs.
- Experience with other 3D CAD platforms such as NX, Creo, or Inventor.
- Exposure to consumer product-related machinery or equipment design.
- Interest in progressing into a role leading a small group of designers or contractors over time.

Work Environment

This position operates in a hybrid work environment, blending remote and in-office work depending on project needs and the stage of the design process. In-office presence is expected when it is necessary to the project, such as during intensive design review phases, which may require up to five days per week on site. Outside of those periods, you may work

📌 Sr. Mechanical Designer (Cambridge)
🏢 Actalent
📍 Cambridge