Lead Mechanical Engineer

Lead Mechanical Engineer

The Lead Mechanical Engineer leads cross-functional collaboration, provides technical support during production, and drives mechanical design activities from initial concept through final review. This role works directly with customers to present conceptual designs, conduct design reviews, and communicate project progress. The engineer plays an active role in Body In White (BIW) mechanical design, ensuring that all designs meet functional, performance, and manufacturability requirements while contributing to the successful execution of complex automation projects.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a key member of the Mechanical Design Engineering team, contributing expertise and collaborating closely with colleagues across disciplines.
• Develop and design mechanical components, assemblies, and BIW elements such as geo fixtures, tooling, end effectors, and automated equipment.
• Lead mechanical design project teams, coordinating activities and ensuring alignment with project objectives, timelines, and quality standards.
• Oversee the creation of detailed engineering drawings and documentation in accordance with industry standards and internal guidelines.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing and assembly teams, addressing design-related issues and ensuring smooth and efficient production processes.
• Troubleshoot design and manufacturing issues by analyzing problems, identifying root causes, and implementing effective engineering solutions.
• Collaborate closely with other engineers, designers, and cross-functional team members, including electrical and controls teams, to ensure overall project success.
• Prepare and present mechanical designs to customers in regular review meetings, clearly communicating design intent, changes, and project status.
• Stay current with the latest mechanical engineering technologies, tools, and trends, continuously expanding technical knowledge and skills.
• Ensure that BIW and mechanical designs meet functional, performance, and manufacturability requirements for custom automation and automated test systems.
• Support debug activities, spending a portion of time on the floor resolving issues and validating designs during build and integration.
• Travel within the United States and Canada as needed to support customer installations, reviews, or project milestones, when required.
• Foster positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders through clear communication and effective teamwork.

Essential Skills:

• Proven experience in Body In White (BIW) design, including designing geo fixtures, tooling, end effectors, and automated equipment.
• Strong experience in mechanical design and the ability to perform relevant engineering calculations.
• Demonstrated experience leading mechanical design project teams in an engineering or automation environment.
• Experience working with General Motors (GM) as either an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner or Tier 1 supplier.
• Proficiency with Siemens NX for 3D mechanical design and modeling.
• Ability to travel within the United States and Canada as required to support projects.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present designs and technical information clearly to customers and internal teams.
• Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot design and manufacturing issues and implement practical solutions.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams, including mechanical, electrical, controls, and project management.
• Capability to operate in a fast-paced environment with tight timelines while maintaining attention to detail and design quality.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with GM toolkit and GMD1 standards.
• Engineering degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• Prior experience in custom automation, factory automation, or automated test stands.
• Familiarity with working in a global automation systems integration environment.
• Comfort presenting in customer meetings and participating in regular design reviews.
• Interest in staying current with emerging automation technologies and industry best practices.

Work Environment:

This role is within a global automation systems integrator that designs, builds, tests, and integrates custom automation solutions for diverse end markets. The organization focuses on solving complex industrial automation challenges that others struggle to address, with a mission to elevate the automation industry and become a trusted partner to its customers. The Lead Mechanical Engineer works as part of a large, multidisciplinary team of more than 80 professionals, including mechanical engineers, designers, controls engineers, electrical engineers, project managers, and applications specialists. The position reports into the mechanical engineering leadership structure and collaborates closely with the electrical and controls teams. The typical workweek is approximately 45 hours. About 75% of the time is spent at a desk performing design work in NX and preparing documentation, while about 25% is spent on debug activities, working hands-on with equipment to validate and refine designs. Occasional travel within the United States and Canada may be required for customer installations or key project milestones, although installations are rarely mechanical issues and are often supported by electrical teams. The environment is fast-paced and can be stressful due to tight timelines, but the culture emphasizes teamwork, practical problem solving, and maintaining a balanced, approachable atmosphere to help manage pressure. Team members gain exposure to cutting-edge custom automation and automated test systems, working on highly technical, one-of-a-kind projects that significantly enhance their skills and experience. The role is structured initially as a 6-month contract with the potential for right-to-hire after approximately 12 months based on business needs. Paid holidays and paid time off are included, and the position offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth within the automation industry.