Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

Temper Pack is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to join our growing engineering team as we rapidly expand our custom automation and manufacturing equipment capabilities. You will design, develop, and commission equipment across our production facilities, working closely with the Director of Design Engineering and a cross-functional team of controls engineers, fabrication partners, and operations leaders.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex mechanical problems, working directly with equipment on the plant floor, and taking ownership from concept through commissioning. You will work on automation systems, machine design, process improvements, and manufacturing equipment that directly impacts production capacity, reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.

This is not a narrow CAD-only role. We are looking for an engineer who wants to build real systems, collaborate across disciplines, and see their designs operating in production.

Location:

Richmond, VA

About Temper Pack

Temper Pack is a rapidly growing company based in Richmond, Virginia and with locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lansing, Michigan. We design and manufacture innovative, sustainable packaging components for cold-chain shipping of food and pharmaceutical products. The markets we serve have an urgent need for disruptive, sustainable alternatives to replace the wide array of non-sustainable packaging materials conventionally used in the cold-chain such as Styrofoam coolers.

Our aspiration is to provide packaging solutions that customers and end-consumers feel great about using.

Essential Job Functions:

• Design custom automation and manufacturing equipment
• Develop 3D models, assemblies, detailed drawings, and BOMs using SOLIDWORKS
• Perform mechanical analysis, component selection, tolerance stack-up, and design reviews
• Work closely with controls engineers, fabrication partners, vendors, and operations teams
• Participate in equipment commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement efforts

• Support design revisions for existing equipment
• Improve machine reliability, safety, maintainability, and manufacturability
• Assist with prototype development, testing, and iterative improvement
• Up to 10% travel to manufacturing sites, vendors, or integrators as needed

Education and Experience:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and 5+ years of hands-on design experience in manufacturing, automation, or industrial equipment

• Solid Works 3D modeling and 2D drawing proficiency

• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, fabrication methods, and machine design fundamentals

• Familiarity with applying ANSI standards to design work

• Experience applying industrial safety standards to equipment design

• Experience creating production-ready parts, assemblies, and drawings

• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems hands-on with the use of hand and power tools (calipers, drills, wrenches, measuring tape, etc.)

• Strong communication and problem-solving skills

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the year to other Temper Pack facilities and vendor sites

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automation equipment or high-speed manufacturing systems

• Familiarity with pneumatics, servo systems, conveyors, motion systems, or industrial automation

• Experience supporting equipment commissioning and startup

• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, FEA, GD&T, and machine safety principles

• Familiarity with PDM systems and engineering change management

• Draft Sight (AutoCAD) experience

• Solid Works PDM data and revision control experience

• Experience working directly with fabrication shops and vendors

Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift 40 pounds unassisted

• Able to reach, bend, kneel and climb while performing repetitive tasks

• Ability to work in hot and cold environments

• Able to correctly wear PPE for entire shifts

• Able to react and respond quickly to noises, smells, visual hazards, and alerts

• Able to be active and on your feet. Some days you will be mostly at your desk, but there are also days when you are moving around the lab, measuring materials, setting up samples, and other activities for most of the day.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and ongoing basis. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.