Machine Design Engineer

Job Title:

Machine Design Engineer

Job Description

The Machine Design Engineer designs and develops custom automated equipment, primarily for the automotive industry. This role uses FEA, GD&T, and 3D CAD tools to concept, design, and test complex machinery that integrates both mechanical and electrical components such as gearboxes, electric motors, and load cells. In addition to design work, the engineer supports manufacturing and machine assembly across multiple projects, ensuring timelines are met and design changes are implemented effectively while collaborating closely with customers and suppliers.

Responsibilities

+ Concept, design, and develop custom automated equipment for automotive industry applications using 3D CAD, FEA, and GD&T.

+ Collaborate with customers to understand project requirements and translate them into practical machine concepts and detailed designs.

+ Design systems that incorporate mechanical and electrical components, including gearboxes, electric motors, load cells, hydraulics, and pneumatics.

+ Perform analysis and validation of designs using FEA and GD&T to ensure performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

+ Research, quote, and select appropriate components for automated equipment, balancing performance, cost, and availability.

+ Create and maintain accurate engineering documentation, including bills of materials and design specifications, for each project.

+ Support the manufacturing and assembly process by working closely with shop floor teams to monitor progress and address design-related issues.

+ Visit the manufacturing floor daily to review build status, verify design intent, and make necessary design adjustments to keep projects on schedule.

+ Coordinate with suppliers to evaluate component options and ensure that selected parts meet project requirements.

+ Participate in project reviews and provide technical input to help ensure successful execution of automation projects.

+ Contribute to continuous improvement of design standards, processes, and tools within the engineering team.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) with 3+ years of machine design experience, or 5-10 years of machine design experience without a degree.

+ Hands-on experience in machine design for custom automation equipment.

+ Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Solid Works or Inventor.

+ Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA) on mechanical components and assemblies.

+ Strong knowledge and practical application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

+

Experience with hydraulics or pneumatics in machine and automation system design.

+ Background in designing custom automation equipment for industrial applications, ideally including automotive.

+ Ability to research, quote, and select mechanical and electrical components for automated equipment.

+ Experience creating and managing bills of materials (BOM) for complex machinery.

+ Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting timelines.

+ Strong communication skills for interacting with customers, suppliers, and internal manufacturing teams.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience using Solid Works for mechanical design and modeling.

+ Background in automation equipment specifically for the automotive industry.

+ Experience creating detailed and structured bills of materials for automated systems.

+ Professional Engineer (PE) license in engineering is a plus.

+ Master's degree in engineering or a related field is a plus.

+ Familiarity with electric motors, gearboxes, and load cells in automation applications.

+ Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with a growing engineering team.

+ Interest in overseeing projects from concept through manufacturing and assembly.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role that primarily involves working at a computer to perform design and engineering tasks using 3D CAD and analysis tools. The position requires daily visits to the manufacturing floor to review the build process, verify that equipment is being assembled according to design, and collaborate with production staff to resolve issues. The environment combines office-based engineering work with hands-on interaction in a shop or production setting, offering close involvement in the full lifecycle of custom automated equipment for the automotive industry.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Grand Rapids, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life &…