Machine Design Engineer

Machine Design Engineer – Automated Fastener Equipment

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Machine Design Engineer – Automated Fastener Equipment for our aerospace fastener plant in Fullerton, CA. We are seeking an experienced Machine Design Engineer to design, develop, and improve high-speed automated equipment used in the manufacturing of fasteners and other precision components.

The successful candidate will have strong mechanical design skills and hands-on experience developing automated machinery, tooling, fixtures, feeding systems, assembly equipment, and production automation. This person will work closely with manufacturing, process engineering, controls, and production teams to take concepts from initial design through prototype, build, installation, and production launch.

This is a hands-on engineering position for someone who understands not only how to design a machine, but also how that machine needs to operate in a high-volume, high-speed manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop high-speed automated machinery for fastener manufacturing and assembly.
• Develop machine concepts, layouts, mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and material-handling systems.
• Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, drawings, bills of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
• Design systems for feeding, orienting, transferring, forming, inspecting, assembling, and packaging fasteners.
• Apply principles of mechanical engineering, machine kinematics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and automation.
• Design for high cycle rates, reliability, repeatability, maintainability, and operator safety.
• Work with controls engineers to integrate servo motors, sensors, actuators, PLCs, vision systems, and robotics.
• Develop and improve machine tooling to maximize production rates and tool life.
• Work with suppliers and machine shops to manufacture and qualify components and tooling.
• Support machine assembly, debugging, run-off, installation, and production launch.
• Troubleshoot mechanical problems during machine development and production.
• Analyze machine performance and implement improvements to reduce downtime and increase throughput.
• Develop preventative-maintenance requirements and critical spare-parts recommendations.
• Participate in design reviews, FMEA activities, root-cause analysis, and continuous-improvement projects.
• Ensure equipment complies with applicable machine safety and industry standards.
• Travel periodically to manufacturing sites and suppliers as required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 3-5 years of experience designing automated machinery, production equipment, tooling, or special-purpose machines.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Experience designing mechanical systems involving bearings, shafts, cams, linkages, gears, pneumatics, linear motion, and precision tooling.
• Strong understanding of tolerancing, GD&T, fits, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing equipment for high-volume manufacturing.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and work directly with machinists, technicians, and manufacturing personnel.
• Strong understanding of machine safety and guarding requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with fastener manufacturing, cold forming, thread rolling, heading, stamping, sorting, inspection, or assembly.
• Experience designing high-speed automated equipment.
• Experience with vibratory bowl feeders, linear feeders, escapements, indexing systems, rotary tables, and part-transfer mechanisms.
• Experience with servo-driven machinery and motion control.
• Experience integrating robotics, machine vision, sensors, and automated inspection.
• Experience designing carbide tooling, dies, punches, inserts, and precision forming tooling.
• Experience with PLC-controlled automation and working with controls engineers.
• Experience with production-rate calculations, cycle-time analysis, and OEE improvement.
• Experience taking equipment from concept through FAT, installation, commissioning, and production acceptance.
• Experience working with outside machine builders and automation suppliers.

Benefits/Salary:

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. The salary range for this position is $110k to $130k.

About Us:

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers' success and making a positive impact on the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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About the Team:

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number one global position in aerospace fastening systems, and we're the North American leader in commercial transportation fasteners. Our high-tech, multi-material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace engines. Our products are also critical components of industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, and construction and industrial equipment.