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

Interested? Apply now and let’s connect.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Staffing and Recruiting

Wilson, NC $‑$ 3 weeks ago