Product/Machine Design Engineer

Job Title: Product/Machine Design Engineer

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Engineering Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Prepared By: Paul Gurrisi

Approved By: Human Resources

Prepared Date: December 8, 2025

SUMMARY

This position requires a highly skilled and intelligent engineer for designing, building, and debugging high volume production machinery. They must be as comfortable at a CAD workstation as they are standing at a mill, lathe, or work bench. This role requires a hands-on Product/Machine Design Engineer who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, thinking creatively, and driving results with minimal supervision. It is a dynamic environment where personalities are strong, expectations are high, and performance is measured by the reliability and productivity of the products and machines you design.

This position focuses primarily on equipment and machine design, with limited product design responsibilities as needed to support new product introductions or existing product improvements. The position contributes through the full lifecycle: concept development, engineering design, detailing, prototyping, fabrication, machine assembly, testing, and release to production. The engineer must be capable of owing a problem end-to-end - designing solutions, building or modifying hardware when necessary, and verifying that your work performs to specification.

Work is both independently and collaboratively with mechanical, electrical and controls engineers to conceptualize and develop semi-automated and fully automated equipment around existing, modified, or new product offerings. Once designs are approved, you will take responsibility for the complete execution of the project, including coordinating internal tool room fabrication, overseeing or participating in assembly and machine conditioning, and performing or leading qualification testing prior to Production Release.

Product design tasks will support new product opportunities or necessary redesigns and will be coordinated closely with management and other internal product development resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Develop concepts and detailed designs for automated and semi-automated equipment to support new products, product improvements, or increased production capacity.

- Use input from Marketing, Sales, suppliers, customers, and Operations to determine the appropriate level of automation and equipment capability.

- Generate complete engineering documentation, including CAD models, detail drawings, product specifications, and process documentation.

- Coordinate with internal tool room, the fabrication of machine components, ensuring accuracy, manufacturability, and adherence to project timelines.

- Actively participate in machine build activities, including assembly, tear-down, troubleshooting, and modifications as needed.

- Fabricate and assemble prototype tooling or components using machine tools and shop equipment when appropriate.

- Evaluate and refine equipment and product performance until internal quality and throughput standards are met.

- Plan, coordinate, and conduct equipment and product testing to support machine qualification and final Production Release.

- Lead or support the assembly of prototype units, pre-production samples, and short-fun product builds during equipment development.

- Work with Purchasing and Sales to coordinate quoting, sourcing, and sampling of new or modified product components.

- Support Production by troubleshooting assembly machines and applying sound engineering principles to resolve equipment, process, or component issues.

- Communicate test results, project status, risks, and recommended actions clearly and professionally across the organization.

- Maintain project continuity through changes in scope and manage multiple concurrent projects effectively.

- Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

- Minimum 5 years' experience in automated equipment design.

- Strong proficiency with 3D modeling software (SolidWorks is preferred).

- Demonstrated ability to design, build, and refine machinery that reliably produces high-quality product.

- Strong hands-on aptitude and willingness to work directly with equipment and components in the shop.

- Proven ability to generate accurate, high-quality engineering drawings and technical documents.

- Strong understanding of testing principles, validation methods, and experimental design.

- Ability to manage competing priorities, maintain momentum through shifting project scopes, and work independently without constant direction.

- Excellent communication skills - direct, clear, and professional in both written and verbal form.

- Must be results oriented, intellectually curious, and capable of working effectively with assertive or strong minded colleagues.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work will be performed in office, laboratory, and active shop-floor environments. Hands-on involvement with machine tools, assembly equipment, and testing setups is expected. Limited travel may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands may be met by individuals with disabilities if reasonable accommodations allow them to perform the essential functions.