SR Mechanincal Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

In this role, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will take ownership of QLA's pipeline of small-scale engineering development projects. This is an execution-focused position requiring a highly adaptable engineer who can quickly master our product lines and independently guide multiple fast-moving projects from initial concept straight to the production floor.

Operating in a lean environment, this well-rounded engineer must be comfortable wearing multiple hats—frequently pivoting between 3D design, hands-on prototyping, and validation testing. This role acts as the inside subject matter expert to support sales and operations, maintains the accuracy of engineering data, manages change control activities, and contributes to the standardization of parts, assemblies, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) used in manufacturing.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Project Execution & Product Development

• Autonomously Prioritize: Manage and execute a concurrent portfolio of small-scale engineering development projects, ensuring they stay on track with minimal oversight.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Rapidly absorb the technical nuances, regulatory standards, and applications of QLA’s product lines and dissolution catalog to act as a deep technical resource.
• Concept to Creation: Own the entire development cycle for product iterations, improvements, and new additions.
• Cross-Functional Support: Lead development activities, assist other engineers with assigned design tasks, and visit customers as needed to support sales.
• Problem Solving: Support engineering reviews, track design changes, document engineering decisions, and contribute to collaborative problem-solving activities.

2. Hands-on Prototyping, Testing & DFM

• Physical Prototyping: Build physical prototypes and troubleshoot physical assemblies in a lab or shop environment.
• Validation Testing: Design rigorous test setups and execute mechanical/functional validation testing to prove out designs.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Bridge the gap between engineering and production, ensuring all project outputs are optimized for efficient, cost-effective manufacturing on the shop floor.

3. Engineering Documentation and Drawing Control

• CAD Modeling: Create, update, and maintain accurate SolidWorks part models, assemblies, and layout/engineering drawings.
• Drafting Standards: Apply correct dimensioning, tolerancing, and standard drawing conventions to support manufacturing accuracy.
• Change Control: Participate in the engineering change process, maintaining organized project files and generating updates for ECO, ECR, DCO, and ECN notices.
• Compliance: Ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with internal procedures.

4. Manufacturing, Operations & MRP Responsibilities

• Standardization: Collaborate with engineering, operations, and purchasing to standardize parts, assemblies, and materials.
• Production Handoff: Support the smooth transition of engineering designs into production, following drawings through the manufacturing cycle to identify issues and assist in corrective actions.
• MRP Management: Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs), enter/update parts and assemblies in the MRP system, and verify alignment between drawings, BOMs, and system data.
• Data Integrity: Support data cleanup and standardization efforts within the MRP environment.

Competencies and Skills

• Technical Mastery: Ability to produce accurate SolidWorks models, layouts, and dimensioned engineering drawings.
• Resourceful Project Driver: A "get-it-done" mindset with a strong ability to advance projects independently despite limited resources or shifting priorities.
• Prototyping Acumen: Comfortable working in a lab or shop environment to build, test, and troubleshoot physical assemblies.
• Detail & Organization: Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time-management skills to balance a varied project load and multiple deadlines.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Soft Skills: Clear communication skills and a positive, proactive, collaborative approach to working across departments and production teams.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a relevant technical discipline.
• Experience: 8 to 10 years of hands-on mechanical design and engineering experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Project Delivery: Proven track record of successfully delivering small-to-midsize product development projects from concept to production.
• Process Knowledge: Experience with formal documentation and change control processes (ECO, ECR, DCO, ECN) is preferred.
• Systems & Standards: Experience with Bills of Materials (BOMs) and MRP/ERP data entry is preferred; a strong knowledge of basic GD&T is beneficial.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or reviewing drawings.
• Ability to walk through production, shop, and lab areas as needed.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move materials, prototypes, or components up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, or position oneself to review equipment or parts in a shop environment.
• Visual acuity required for reading drawings, inspecting parts, and working on a computer.
• Ability to hear and communicate in environments with moderate machinery noise.
• Dexterity to handle small parts, prototypes, or drawing materials when needed