Senior Mechanical Engineer

For 80 years Rice Lake Weighing Systems has been a successful, growth-oriented company known as a leader in the weighing industry and our community. Measurement Systems International, a Rice Lake Weighing Systems Company, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Kent, WA.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and validation of new and custom products to meet customer specifications. This role places a strong emphasis on strain gage-based load cell transducer design and development, including mechanical design for optimized strain distribution, signal sensitivity, and long-term stability. The position also includes hands-on involvement in testing, calibration, and troubleshooting of load cell performance, along with exposure to experimental stress analysis and validation techniques.

This role also requires working knowledge of the electrical aspects of load cell systems, including strain gage signal behavior, Wheatstone bridge circuits, signal normalization, and integration with instrumentation and control systems. The ideal candidate will have a technical background suited for applying load cell technology within complex, customer-specific systems and applications.

The successful candidate will lead product development efforts from concept through production, including CAD modeling, engineering analysis, prototyping, instrumentation, testing, calibration, and documentation. This position requires strong technical depth in both mechanical design and measurement systems, along with the ability to lead projects and collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of strain gage-based load cell transducers, including geometry optimization, material selection, and integration of strain gage layouts
Develop designs that account for performance characteristics such as accuracy, linearity, hysteresis, creep, repeatability, temperature effects, and fatigue life
Perform and oversee testing, calibration, and troubleshooting of load cell systems, including root cause analysis of performance issues and implementation of corrective actions
Design and execute test plans, including instrumentation setup, signal measurement, data acquisition, and correlation of physical test data to analytical models (FEA)
Apply experimental stress analysis methods (e.g., strain gaging, Wheatstone bridge circuits, signal conditioning, normalization, and data acquisition systems) to validate and refine designs
Support integration of load cells into complex customer systems, including interaction with controls, instrumentation, and system-level performance requirements
Design and engineer new and custom products following the New Product Development (NPD) process
Develop CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, and complete engineering documentation
Perform engineering analysis, including FEA, and validate designs through prototype testing
Ensure designs meet DFX principles (manufacturability, assembly, reliability, safety, and serviceability)
Collaborate with Product Engineers, Designers, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to support product realization
Lead and manage multiple projects, timelines, and cross-functional teams
Support manufacturing through fixture design, process development, calibration methods, and troubleshooting
Assist with installation and field support of products as needed
Participate in design reviews and maintain design control documentation
Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and continuous product improvement
Provide technical input for costing, feasibility, and vendor selection
Develop reports, procedures, and training materials
Travel to customer sites and other company locations as required

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
8+ years of industrial product design experience
Strong experience in strain gage-based load cell transducer design, testing, calibration, and performance troubleshooting
Working knowledge of electrical aspects of load cell systems, including Wheatstone bridge circuits, signal output/normalization, and basic signal conditioning principles
Experience or exposure to experimental stress analysis techniques, including strain gage installation, instrumentation, and data interpretation
Experience designing with metals including alloy steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Strong background in manufacturing processes including machining, welding, fabrication, casting, and finishing
Experience applying engineered products within complex, customer-specific systems or applications

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years of 3D CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred)
Experience with FEA and correlation to physical testing
CSWA / CSWP / Simulation certifications a plus
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
Experience with ERP systems (Epicor a plus)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project)

Key Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, particularly in electromechanical measurement systems
Hands-on capability with test setups, instrumentation, and calibration procedures
Ability to understand and apply both mechanical and electrical aspects of transducer performance
Ability to translate theoretical analysis into practical, manufacturable designs
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Ability to lead projects and mentor team members

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience
Medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and voluntary benefits
200 hours of paid time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays
Generous retirement plan with company match
Professional development and growth opportunities
Excellent working conditions in a customer-driven organization

This position requires on-site presence at our Kent, Washington facility; telecommuting is not available. However, reasonable relocation assistance is available.

Rice Lake Weighing Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Rice Lake Weighing Systems is a Substance-Free Workplace and requires pre-employment drug screens.

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