Custom Automation Mechanical Designer-Builder

Day in the Life at Autocam (An NN, Inc. Company)

Picture your morning: coffee in hand, you open a new SolidWorks project for a one-off automated station built to exacting customer specs. By mid-morning you’re refining GD&T on a critical gauge, updating the BOM, and finalizing a machine layout. After lunch, you’re on the floor aligning bearings and drives, bringing pneumatics and hydraulics to life, and running the first debug pass. Before day’s end, you’ve captured revisions, communicated status to stakeholders, and logged improvements for manufacturability and reliability.

That’s a typical day for a Custom Automation Mechanical Designer-Builder at Autocam, a division of NN, Inc.—a global manufacturer of high-performance precision components with 3,200+ employees across 23 sites. We blend inventive thinking with advanced machining to deliver world-class results.

What You’ll Do

Design & Engineering (CAD)

• Transform rough concepts, sketches, and customer requirements into practical designs for custom machinery, tooling, fixtures, and automation equipment.
• Develop and maintain 3D models, assemblies, detail drawings, BOMs, and documentation in SolidWorks (or comparable 3D CAD).
• Interpret customer drawings/technical sketches and convert them into our internal technical standards.
• Apply sound GD&T across all drawings and documents.
• Create and update operation control plans, tool information sheets, tooling drawings, machine layouts, and facility floor plans.
• Partner with Quality to design and document gaging and inspection fixtures.
• Support engineering change requests; manage drawing revisions and controlled documentation.

Build, Assemble & Prove-Out

• Assemble and install custom machines, fixtures, tooling, and automated systems to print and spec.
• Fit, align, and adjust mechanical elements to achieve robust performance.
• Own setup, testing, troubleshooting, debugging, and validation activities.
• Work hands-on with pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, and electromechanical components.
• Recommend design refinements to enhance manufacturability, reliability, and throughput.
• Support modifications, retrofits, repairs, and ongoing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with installation, startup, and customer acceptance as needed.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, cost, and process optimization.
• Collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations to resolve equipment and production challenges.
• Maintain clear project records and communicate progress to leaders and teammates.
• Follow our Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS).
• Adhere to company safety policies, procedures, and standards.

Your Background

Required (or equivalent experience)

• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Engineering Design, Industrial Technology, Machine Design, or related field preferred; equivalent education/training/experience considered.
• Approximately 2+ years of 3D CAD design using SolidWorks or similar preferred.
• Approximately 2+ years in custom machine building, assembly, tooling, automation, or related manufacturing preferred.
• Proven ability to work productively with indirect supervision and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Experience reading engineering prints, assembly drawings, and technical specifications.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with solid troubleshooting skills.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks (or similar 3D CAD) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and assembly documentation.
• Knowledge of machine design principles, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, sensors, bearings, drives, and automation components preferred.
• Familiarity with machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and general manufacturing processes.

Preferred

• Background in custom automation, robotics, conveyors, fixturing, or special-purpose machinery.
• Experience with pneumatic and hydraulic system design and assembly.
• Hands-on welding, machining, fabrication, or maintenance experience.
• Exposure to machine installation and startup at customer sites.
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities.

Why Autocam, Part of NN, Inc.?

You’ll shape one-of-a-kind solutions from concept through commissioning, with the support of a global precision manufacturer. If you enjoy alternating between CAD and the build floor—and seeing your ideas run in production—this role puts you at the center of innovation and execution.