Mechanical Engineer - Machine Design

Fiber Glass Custom Machine Design Engineer II

The Fiber Glass Custom Machine Design Engineer II role focuses on developing custom, one-off equipment, including CNC winders and electrically, hydraulically, or mechanically driven machinery. Responsibilities include the design, fabrication, installation, startup, and troubleshooting of specialized equipment. Proficiency in SolidWorks and AutoCAD is required for producing detailed shop fabrication drawings with precise engineering tolerances and manufacturability considerations. Experience with automation, PLC systems, hydraulics, and design for manufacturability (DFM), including motor sizing, gearbox and shaft sizing, and bearing selection is considered a strong asset.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Contributes to the engineering custom machine designs based on technical specifications to optimize equipment performance and manufacturing processes
• Collaborate with product design engineering to define technical specifications that best utilize equipment capabilities and manufacturing techniques
• Prototype new processes and/or equipment to support product manufacturing
• Translate performance requirements into detailed specifications for processes, equipment development, or engineering projects
• Analyze and optimize industrial processes to maximize equipment efficiency, including layout and equipment placement
• Recommend process and equipment improvements, incorporating the latest technologies and best practices
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to manage specifications and integration for equipment automation
• Work with product design engineering to ensure alignment between product requirements and equipment design specifications
• Design test equipment and develop procedures for evaluating product performance and reliability
• Collaborate with vendors and suppliers to source components and manage fabrication, machining, and assembly of equipment
• Prepare comprehensive technical packages, including detailed mechanical drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), technical data sheets, design specifications, and calculations for tenders, for review by senior staff
• Estimate costs and prepare or submit bids for engineering, construction, and installation projects
• Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of machines and equipment, ensuring compliance with design and performance specifications
• Contribute to laboratory prototyping and manufacturing activities as required
• Investigate equipment failures or operational issues to diagnose root causes and recommend design modifications or corrective actions for review by senior staff
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Job requirements include:

• Demonstrates strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand and apply standard engineering design principles while developing advanced analytical skills
• Capable of recommending solutions for moderately complex issues, subject to review by senior staff
• Solves cross-disciplinary problems and conducts root-cause failure analysis
• Strong ability to interpret data and provide recommendations for review by senior staff
• Work may require evening and weekend work
• Availability for overnight and international travel required

Education and experience qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline required (Master's preferred)
• Position is onsite in San Antonio, TX
• Experience in composite manufacturing is a plus
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the custom equipment design field
• Able to execute defined portions of a project or subsystem
• Works under the general supervision of a senior or lead engineer
• Creates detailed fabrication drawings and BOMs with proper tolerances and manufacturability using AutoCAD and SolidWorks, reviewed by senior staff
• Able to prepare documentation for vendor interactions, including specifications, cost, and schedule discussions
• Experience working with shop fabrication and machining processes
• Exposure to and familiarity with hydraulic system design
• Experience with automation, PLC systems and design for manufacturability (DFM)—including motor sizing, gearbox and shaft sizing, and bearing selection
• Performs structural and thermal calculations
• Skilled in tolerance analysis and problem solving
• Experience with composite, plastic, and sheet metal product design preferred

Behavioral competencies include:

• Dependability/Attendance- Follows through on responsibilities and communicates proactively when issues arise that may affect work progress.
• Problem Solving/Judgement- Identifies engineering issues and applies standard methods to evaluate and resolve problems. Uses sound judgment to recommend solutions, escalating more complex matters appropriately to senior engineers or project leaders.
• Active Listening- Asks clarifying questions to ensure understanding and incorporates guidance into design work with minimal rework.
• Critical Thinking- Demonstrates the ability to think independently while following established engineering practices.
• Complex Problem Solving- Capable of addressing moderately complex challenges by breaking problems into components and applying known engineering principles. Recognizes when issues exceed standard approaches and seeks input from senior engineers.
• Self-manage with limited supervision from senior staff- Manages personal workload, priorities, and deadlines effectively with limited oversight. Takes ownership of assigned tasks, contributes to project planning, and shows emerging leadership by coordinating small work segments or supporting the project lead.

Technical competencies include:

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Be able to create detailed fabrication drawings and BOMs with proper tolerances and manufacturability using AutoCAD and SolidWorks 2D and 3D CAD Design
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience
• Plastic or Sheet Metal Design a plus
• Material selection
• Structural and thermal calculations
• Exposure/experience working with shop fabrication and machining
• Exposure to and familiarity with hydraulic design
• Exposure with automation, PLC systems and design for manufacturability (DFM), including motor sizing, gearbox and shaft sizing, and bearing selection
• Design for manufacturing
• Tolerance Analysis
• Problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with nonmetallic/composite product design is preferred
• Possess technical aptitude and ability to understand engineering, design, and product performance issues