Mechanical Designer

Position Summary SSI is seeking a Mechanical Designer to support our industrial automation product line — designing test cells, fixtures, and mechanical systems for automated production lines (including pick-and-place robotics and material handling). This role works closely with controls engineers to take concepts from sketch to a working production system, designing mechanisms that are precise, repeatable, and mechanically sound under real operating loads. Position Summary SSI is seeking a Mechanical Designer to support our industrial automation product line — designing test cells, fixtures, and mechanical systems for automated production lines (including pick-and-place robotics and material handling). This role works closely with controls engineers to take concepts from sketch to a working production system, designing mechanisms that are precise, repeatable, and mechanically sound under real operating loads. Key Responsibilities Design test cells, fixtures, and tooling for production testing and inspection using 3D CAD Design mechanical systems for automated material handling, including pick-and-place mechanisms, conveyors, and end-effector/gripper tooling Produce detailed manufacturing drawings with GD&T, tolerancing, and BOMs Calculate loads, torque, and force requirements to properly size servo motors, gearboxes, actuators, and structural members for each application Select materials and mechanical hardware suited to production-line duty cycles (repeatability, wear, precision alignment, cycle time) Collaborate with controls engineers to integrate PLCs, servo drives, VFDs, sensors, and pneumatics into fixture and cell designs, ensuring mechanical design supports required motion and load profiles Support prototyping, bench testing, and on-line commissioning of new fixtures/cells; iterate based on production performance Work with the shop floor to resolve fabrication and assembly issues; design for manufacturability (sheet metal, machining, welding, 3D printing) Maintain and revise existing fixtures/test cells based on production feedback and reliability data Support sourcing by identifying vendors/parts (servo motors, gearboxes, actuators, robotic components, fasteners) and evaluating make-vs-buy decisions Assist with documentation for fixture/cell designs, including assembly and maintenance instructions Required Qualifications Associate's with minimum of 7 years experience or Bachelor's degree with 2 year experience in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology Proficiency with standard CAD platforms — AutoCAD 3D or SolidWorks (preferred) Working knowledge of GD&T and mechanical drawing standards Ability to calculate loads, torque, and force requirements for motor/actuator sizing and structural design Understanding of sheet metal fabrication, machining processes, and fastener/hardware selection Experience designing fixtures, tooling, or mechanical systems for test/production environments Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working hands-on with prototypes Preferred Qualifications Experience designing pick-and-place mechanisms, robotic end-effectors, or automated material handling systems Familiarity with PLC-controlled systems, servo motors/drives, and VFDs, and how they interface mechanically (couplings, gearing, mounting) Understanding of motion control concepts (inertia matching, backlash, precision alignment/locating features) Exposure to industrial robotics (e.g., 6-axis arms, SCARA, gantry systems) and their mechanical integration Experience supporting production ramp-up or working directly with controls/manufacturing engineers to refine fixture designs Salary/Compensation: $50,000 - $120,000 per year #J-18808-Ljbffr Strategic Systems Inc