Mechanical Design Engineer - Entry Level

Mechanical Design Engineer

This role leads cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deliver optical tooling and mold inserts that enable high-quality lens production. The Optical Tooling Design Engineer collaborates closely with lens design, metrology, injection molding, quality engineering, operations, and process engineering to translate lens design intent into robust plastic and insert designs, while managing projects from concept through commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, define, and execute optical tooling design activities to deliver mold insert designs that produce lenses meeting defined design specifications.
• Collaborate with lens designers to understand lens design intent and translate it into plastic and insert designs within ISAAC.
• Translate insert designs from pilot line injection molding machine (IMM) platforms and technologies to targeted commercial IMM platforms and technologies in support of new product introduction (NPI) across GNPP 1 through GNPP 4.
• Define, implement, and execute strategies for optical tooling calibration to understand and minimize sources of variation and to best estimate true mean values for key parameters.
• Prepare and deliver detailed tooling calibration reports in support of operational qualification (OQ) and performance qualification (PQ) activities.
• Work independently to manage the development, roll-out, and establishment of new plastic and insert designs, ensuring they align with lens performance and manufacturing requirements.
• Coordinate project activities using established project timelines with clear milestones, ensuring progress is tracked and communicated effectively.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and resource requirements to ensure successful and timely delivery of tooling that meets correct lens design specifications.
• Interface with lens design, tooling, metrology, injection molding, quality engineering, operations, and process engineering teams to secure necessary design input, resource support, and alignment to project goals.
• Provide technical direction and guidance within cross-functional teams to ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, reliable, and aligned with quality standards.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve design, process, and cross-functional issues that arise during tooling development and implementation.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously in a matrixed environment, ensuring critical deadlines and quality targets are met.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline such as Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry.
• Minimum of 3 years of project experience.
• Proven track record of successfully completing projects from initiation through delivery.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to quickly grasp new technical concepts and skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a cross-functional or matrix environment.
• Ability to facilitate and resolve issues across cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including motivating and providing direction in a team setting (sub-team or project leadership experience preferred).
• Experience with 2D and 3D mechanical design, including tolerancing, with at least 1 year of experience preferred.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Solidworks, Pro-E, Unigraphics, or AutoCAD.
• Experience or familiarity with tooling design and mechanical fixture design.
• Ability to interface effectively with lens design, tooling, metrology, injection molding, quality engineering, operations, and process engineering teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working as a sub-team project leader or project leader in a cross-functional environment.
• Preferred proficiency in 3D CAD tools such as Solidworks, Pro-E, Unigraphics, or AutoCAD for mechanical and tooling design.
• Experience or interest in optical tooling, mold insert design, and injection molding processes.
• Experience developing and executing calibration strategies and documenting results in formal reports.
• Strong communication skills to clearly convey technical concepts and project status to diverse stakeholders.
• Comfort working with structured…