Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Lead / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

North Carolina – Garner/Raleigh or Battleboro
Custom Automation & Packaging Machinery

I’m supporting a North Carolina manufacturer that designs, engineers, and builds fully custom automation and packaging systems in‑house. They are hiring a Lead / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to take full ownership of machine development — from concept and prototyping through final testing and customer delivery.

This is not a task‑taking role. Their VP and Director want a true technical leader who can drive mechanical development, make decisions, and guide projects without micromanagement.

This role can sit at either:

• Raleigh, NC

Relocation assistance + sign‑on bonus. Immediate interviews and facility tours.

• Full lifecycle mechanical design of custom and standard automation/packaging machinery using Solid Works and structured Engineering Development / Stage‑Gate processes.

• Technical ownership of projects: schedule and run design reviews, coordinate with manufacturing, and control the mechanical development path.

• Prototype & build leadership: Work with machinists, fabricators, and assembly technicians to validate, refine, and improve designs.

• Cross‑functional integration: Collaborate closely with Controls Engineering, Product Line Managers, R&D, and Service to ensure designs are reliable, manufacturable, and field‐supportable.

• R&D pipeline execution: Provide senior horsepower needed to launch new machine concepts waiting for development bandwidth.

• Mentorship & influence: Coach mid‑level engineers, elevate design standards, and set the benchmark for mechanical engineering excellence.

• Create and manage 3D CAD models, layouts, BOMs, and detailed drawings.

• Apply strong understanding of motors, actuators, pneumatics, sensors, drives, and automation components to guide mechanical decisions.

• Lead prototype builds, debugging, and final machine testing.

• Ensure project compliance with documentation, safety standards, design reviews, and Stage‑Gate requirements.

• Drive continuous improvement across design processes, tools, engineering workflows, and product quality.

• Participate in assembly testing, competitive product evaluations, and process ECNs.

• You own machines from concept → customer delivery

• Zero red tape — fast decisions and high engineering autonomy

• Deep in‑house capability
  : full machine shop, fabrication, assembly, controls, and testing

• Large R&D runway for next‑gen machines

• High visibility with VP, Director, and Engineering leadership

• Hands‑on, technical leadership role—not management overhead

• 7+ years mechanical design experience in packaging machinery, industrial automation, or capital equipment.

• Strong proficiency in Solid Works and PDM/data management.

• Proven success driving projects through formal engineering processes (Stage Gate, VA/VE, NPD, etc.).

• Strong understanding of machine controls components (motors, drives, sensors, pneumatics, HMIs, PLC interfaces).

• Hands‑on experience with machining, fabrication, assembly, and DFM.

• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Excellent problem‑solving, organizational, and communication skills.

• Deep mechanical systems knowledge and machine/tooling design experience.

• Strong computer skills (CAD + Microsoft Office).

• Independent, decisive, and able to work with minimal oversight.

• GD&T

• Simulation / stress / material analysis

• MRP/ERP systems, multi‑level BOMs

• Strong engineering discipline and design standards

• Desire to be hands‑on with machinery and testing

• Competitive compensation +
  relocation package + sign‑on bonus

• Benefits active Day 1 (medical, dental, life insurance, PTO, 401(k) with match)

• Clear technical career advancement

• Highly collaborative environment where innovation is implemented quickly

• Stability, growth, and long‑term engineering career potential