Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Posted 16 days ago
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
MELD Manufacturing - Virginia (Christiansburg)
Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Mechanical Design & Product Development Design and develop complex mechanical systems, assemblies, and components for MELD manufacturing equipment and related technologies. Develop innovative design solutions to improve machine performance, reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability. Create detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and engineering documentation using industry-standard design software. Perform design calculations, tolerance analyses, and engineering evaluations to validate mechanical designs. Support prototype development, testing, and design verification activities. Support the transition of designs from engineering development into manufacturing and production environments. Technical Contributions Participate in design reviews and ensure compliance with company standards, engineering best practices, and quality requirements. Conduct root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions related to product performance, manufacturing issues, and field feedback. Support strategic product roadmap and technology development initiatives. Apply sound engineering judgment to solve complex technical challenges. Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate closely with electrical, controls, software, manufacturing, materials, and applications engineering teams. Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to develop and qualify components and assemblies. Provide engineering support for installation, commissioning, and customer demonstrations as needed. Interface with customers, research partners, and government stakeholders on technical matters. Travel as needed for equipment installation or operation troubleshooting. Analysis & Testing Conduct finite element analysis (FEA), structural evaluations, thermal analyses, and other engineering assessments as required. Develop and execute test plans to validate mechanical designs and system performance. Analyze test data and implement design improvements based on findings. Ensure designs meet applicable safety, reliability, and regulatory requirements. Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, design methodologies, and documentation practices. Support cost reduction, manufacturability, and reliability improvement initiatives.
Required Qualifications:
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline. 8+ years of mechanical design engineering experience in industrial equipment, machine design, manufacturing systems, automation, robotics, or related fields. Demonstrated experience developing complex products and systems from concept through production. Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks. Strong understanding of: Machine design principles Structural analysis Mechanical assemblies Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Design for Assembly (DFA) Experience developing engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills. Strong verbal and written communication abilities. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, innovative technology environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Experience with additive manufacturing, friction stir technologies, advanced manufacturing systems, or metal processing equipment. Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or SolidWorks Simulation. Experience with motion systems, automation equipment, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatic systems, or precision machinery. Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. Familiarity with ISO 9001 or other quality management systems.