Mechanical Engineer - Fluidics

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Mechanical Engineer - Fluidics supports the design, testing, and advancement of New Product Development (NPD) initiatives for bio-devices for the global poultry industry. Within the Fluidics group, our focus is on the fluid handling and microscale dispensing of biologically relevant fluids. The ideal candidate can combine an understanding of mechanical and biological concepts to support the development of new technologies and devices. Day-to-day activities may include individual component and system-level design work (e.g., 3D CAD), procurement of testing componentry, interfacing with a multidisciplinary team of collaborators (e.g., biologists, controls engineers, mechanical engineers, etc.), and prototype device building and setup. Familiarity with liquid pumps, pneumatics, and electromechanical fluid components (e.g., valves, pressure sensors, flow meters) would be beneficial in these activities. The ideal candidate also embraces the build & testing portions of the Design-Build-Test-Iterate cycle for devices and equipment that are located at TARGAN headquarters and/or in the field at hatchery locations. A strong ability to conduct well-defined and repeatable tests, record procedures & findings, analyze data, and effectively communicate results is expected from this role.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Support R&D (design, build, tests, and analysis) of fluid systems. 
• Develop designs using 3D solid modeling and 2D ANSI standard engineering drawings for suppliers, vendors or company reports.
• Work with vendors/suppliers in the acquisition of components based on component performance, quality, price and delivery capabilities.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure compatibility of designs with engineering standards and product goals, as required.
• Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders (e.g., mechanical engineers, controls engineers, computer vision engineers, biological scientists, etc.).
• Conduct benchtop testing of prototype equipment and analyze data.
• Take an active role in field trials of prototypes and commercial systems in poultry hatchery settings.
• Travel to hatchery test sites to support deployment and testing of equipment.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Proficient in designing parts and assemblies in 3D CAD platform – required.
• Demonstrated experience with complete product development cycle (design, develop, and deploy) medical, diagnostics, or industrial automation systems 
• Proficient in designing parts and assemblies with Solidworks CAD platform 
• Designing sheet metal components and welded assemblies 
• Developing motion-based electro-mechanical sub-systems 
• Developing fluidics delivery components and sub-systems 
• Utilizing Design of Experiments/DMAIC techniques to solve complex mechanical problems 
• Applying and/or using simulation, CFD/FEA tools 
• Experience with data acquisition systems (hardware/software)

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience developing fluid handling and dispensing systems for biologics

Working Conditions:  

The employee is required to stand and/or sit while performing repetitive tasks for extended periods of time. The employee must frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception.