Are you passionate about designing custom automation equipment from concept to commissioning? We're looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of sophisticated semi-automated manufacturing equipment and play a key role in bringing innovative solutions to life.

About the Role

As our Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as the lead designer on the equipment development team, taking ownership of complex machine designs from initial concept through build, testing, and production deployment. This is a highly hands-on engineering role focused on custom machine design and automation equipment development, not manufacturing engineering.

You'll lead complete mechanical assemblies, collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and help drive innovative equipment solutions that support advanced manufacturing processes.

What You'll Do

Lead the mechanical design of complex semi-automated manufacturing equipment using SolidWorks

Manage designs within SolidWorks PDM, ensuring proper revision control and data management

Create detailed 2D mechanical drawings with full dimensioning, tolerancing, and GD&T

Select materials and specify purchased components including bearings, actuators, pneumatics, sensors, and linear motion systems

Design for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, operator usability, and serviceability

Perform hands-on prototyping, assembly, testing, debugging, and equipment qualification

Partner with controls, software, and electrical engineers to integrate PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and automation technologies

Translate process requirements into practical equipment solutions alongside process engineering teams

Support deployment of equipment to production operations in Shakopee and future expansion sites in Mexico

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

5+ years of experience designing custom automation or semi-automated manufacturing equipment

Expert proficiency with SolidWorks, including complex assemblies and mechanisms

Experience with SolidWorks PDM and engineering document control

Strong 2D drafting skills with GD&T, tolerancing, and manufacturing documentation

Knowledge of material selection for precision equipment applications

Experience integrating purchased mechanical components into custom-built systems

Hands-on experience building, assembling, and troubleshooting equipment

Proven ability to work effectively with controls, electrical, software, and process engineering teams

Preferred Qualifications

Background in precision assembly equipment, fiber optics, medical devices, or small form-factor manufacturing

Experience designing benchtop or tabletop semi-automated equipment

Familiarity with PLC-controlled equipment and vision systems from a mechanical integration perspective