Mechanical Engineer II - Contract

Job Title: Contract Mechanical Engineer II – Controls Experience
Location: Corning, NY - Onsite
Contract : 12+ Months

Shift - Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Position Overview
We are seeking a Contract Mechanical Engineer II with manufacturing automation and controls experience to support the design, build, integration, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and production systems. This role is ideal for an engineer with a solid background in mechanical design who has worked closely with controls, electrical, and manufacturing teams on automation equipment, machine upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.

The engineer will contribute to projects involving automated assembly equipment, material handling systems, stations, fixtures, motion systems, and production line enhancements. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in both design and plant-floor environments and has hands-on experience troubleshooting electromechanical systems in a manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities
Design and develop mechanical systems, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and machine components for manufacturing automation equipment.
Support the integration of mechanical systems with PLC-controlled equipment, servo motors, drives, sensors, vision systems, actuators, pneumatics, and other automation components.
Collaborate with controls engineers, electrical engineers, maintenance teams, production supervisors, and manufacturing engineers to implement new equipment and improve existing systems.
Create and update 3D CAD models, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, and bills of materials.
Assist with equipment layout, mechanical design reviews, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturability/assembly.
Participate in machine builds, prototype assembly, factory testing, line trials, equipment startup, commissioning, and production support.
Troubleshoot equipment issues related to mechanical design, machine performance, motion systems, and automation interfaces.
Identify root causes of downtime, recurring failures, and process inefficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, uptime, cycle time, ergonomics, throughput, scrap reduction, and reliability.
Work with vendors and internal teams to source components, review designs, and support fabrication and assembly.
Ensure designs meet applicable safety, quality, and manufacturing standards.
Document engineering changes, test results, validation activities, and project updates.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
3+ years of mechanical engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, machine design, or production equipment development.
Experience supporting automated machinery, manufacturing equipment, assembly systems, conveyors, packaging lines, or material handling systems.
Working knowledge of controls-integrated mechanical systems, including PLC-based automation, sensors, pneumatic devices, actuators, motor-driven systems, and servo applications.
Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, Inventor, or similar.
Experience developing detailed mechanical drawings, BOMs, and engineering documentation.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, machine design, tolerances, materials, and mechanical assemblies.
Hands-on troubleshooting experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with high-speed manufacturing, automated assembly, packaging, robotics, or custom machine design.
Familiarity with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens.
Experience with motion control systems, machine guarding, safety circuits, and industrial automation standards.
Knowledge of GD&T, FMEA, RCA, 5 Why, and lean manufacturing principles.
Experience supporting commissioning, FAT, SAT, and production line ramp-up.
Exposure to vision systems, end-of-arm tooling, pick-and-place systems, or robotic cells.
Prior experience in automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, or similar production environments.

Core Competencies
Mechanical design for automation equipment
Manufacturing equipment improvement
Controls and mechanical integration
Machine troubleshooting and root cause analysis
CAD design and documentation
Continuous improvement in production environments
Cross-functional collaboration
Equipment validation and startup support

Work Environment
Combination of office, engineering lab, and manufacturing floor work.
Frequent interaction with operating production equipment and maintenance teams.
Occasional extended hours or weekend support during equipment installation, startup, or major production events may be required.

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