Designer III

Position Summary

• We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Technician or Mechanical Designer to support the development of custom equipment, fixtures, tooling, prototypes, and manufacturing systems.
• The successful candidate will transform conceptual designs and engineering direction into complete, manufacturable mechanical designs ready for procurement, fabrication, assembly, and deployment.
• This role requires strong practical mechanical design experience, expertise with SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM, and a thorough understanding of manufacturing methods, mechanical components, tolerancing, assembly practices, and mechanical systems.
• The position is highly hands-on and includes equipment assembly, fitting, troubleshooting, vendor interaction, and supporting procurement activities.
• Practical experience, sound engineering judgment, and demonstrated design capability are valued more highly than formal educational qualifications.
• This role is around 50% Design and 50% installation, prototyping, assembly, etc...

Key Responsibilities

• Develop complete mechanical designs from sketches, concepts, engineering direction, and preliminary layouts.
• Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, manufacturing drawings, fabrication drawings, and assembly documentation using SolidWorks.
• Generate and maintain bills of material (BOMs), part specifications, and engineering documentation within SolidWorks PDM.
• Select and specify purchased components, standard hardware, and commercial-off-the-shelf equipment appropriate for project requirements.
• Work closely with internal supply chain, procurement, and manufacturing personnel to source and procure components and equipment.
• Interface directly with external suppliers and vendors to identify, specify, quote, and procure mechanical components, assemblies, and fabricated equipment.
• Apply sound mechanical design principles including appropriate tolerance schemes, constraint methods, fit selection, manufacturability, maintainability, and assembly considerations.
• Produce manufacturing-ready documentation suitable for internal shops, external fabricators, and equipment vendors.
• Support prototype construction, assembly, fitting, debugging, troubleshooting, and design refinement activities.
• Verify design intent through fit-up, inspection, testing, and assembly activities.
• Participate in design reviews and collaborate with engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and suppliers to resolve technical issues.
• Maintain accurate documentation, revision control, and drawing standards compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support installation, startup, and commissioning activities as required.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience creating complete mechanical designs, manufacturing drawings, and assembly documentation for custom equipment, tooling, fixtures, machinery, or automation systems.
• Proficiency using SolidWorks for part modeling, assembly modeling, drafting, and design detailing.
• Experience using SolidWorks PDM or a similar engineering document management system.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals including:
  • Tolerancing and fit selection
  • GD&T fundamentals
  • Constraint-based design
  • Assembly methods
  • Material selection
  • Manufacturability and fabrication practices
• Experience creating and managing BOMs and purchased component specifications.
• Hands-on mechanical aptitude with the ability to assemble, modify, and troubleshoot mechanical systems.
• Proficiency using common shop measurement equipment including calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gages, and related inspection tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing equipment used in manufacturing, process development, laboratory environments, or production operations.
• Familiarity with standard industrial mechanical components including:
  • Linear bearings and guide systems
  • Rotary bearings and bearing supports
  • Lead screws and ball screws
  • Timing belt and pulley systems
  • Gearboxes and power transmission components
  • Pneumatic cylinders, valves, regulators, and controls
  • Hydraulic components and systems
  • Industrial hardware and fastening systems
  • Structural framing systems
  • Sensors, actuators, and motion control components
• Experience working directly with machine shops, fabrication vendors, and equipment suppliers.
• Familiarity with common engineering materials and manufacturing processes including machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, and assembly operations.
• Experience supporting prototype development, equipment installation, and troubleshooting activities.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams.

Required Education/Experience:

Minimum of HS Diploma. Degree not required. 5 years proven hands on experience required. Proven capability in mechanical design, detailing, manufacturing support, and equipment development is valued more than specific credentials.