Machine Design Engineer

Howmet Aerospace•Fullerton, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking an experienced Machine Design Engineer – Automated Fastener Equipment for our aerospace fastener plant in Fullerton, CA. This role involves designing, developing, and improving high-speed automated equipment used in the manufacturing of fasteners and other precision components. The successful candidate will possess strong mechanical design skills and hands-on experience in developing automated machinery, tooling, fixtures, feeding systems, assembly equipment, and production automation. This position requires close collaboration with manufacturing, process engineering, controls, and production teams to manage projects from initial design through prototype, build, installation, and production launch. It is a hands-on engineering role for an individual who understands not only machine design but also its operational requirements in a high-volume, high-speed manufacturing setting.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
3-5 years of experience designing automated machinery, production equipment, tooling, or special-purpose machines.
Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, or equivalent.
Experience designing mechanical systems involving bearings, shafts, cams, linkages, gears, pneumatics, linear motion, and precision tooling.
Strong understanding of tolerancing, GD&T, fits, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Experience designing equipment for high-volume manufacturing.
Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and work directly with machinists, technicians, and manufacturing personnel.
Strong understanding of machine safety and guarding requirements.
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with fastener manufacturing, cold forming, thread rolling, heading, stamping, sorting, inspection, or assembly.
Experience designing high-speed automated equipment.
Experience with vibratory bowl feeders, linear feeders, escapements, indexing systems, rotary tables, and part-transfer mechanisms.
Experience with servo-driven machinery and motion control.
Experience integrating robotics, machine vision, sensors, and automated inspection.
Experience designing carbide tooling, dies, punches, inserts, and precision forming tooling.
Experience with PLC-controlled automation and working with controls engineers.
Experience with production-rate calculations, cycle-time analysis, and OEE improvement.
Experience taking equipment from concept through FAT, installation, commissioning, and production acceptance.
Experience working with outside machine builders and automation suppliers.

Responsibilities

Design and develop high-speed automated machinery for fastener manufacturing and assembly.
Develop machine concepts, layouts, mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and material-handling systems.
Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, drawings, bills of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
Design systems for feeding, orienting, transferring, forming, inspecting, assembling, and packaging fasteners.
Apply principles of mechanical engineering, machine kinematics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and automation.
Design for high cycle rates, reliability, repeatability, maintainability, and operator safety.
Work with controls engineers to integrate servo motors, sensors, actuators, PLCs, vision systems, and robotics.
Develop and improve machine tooling to maximize production rates and tool life.
Work with suppliers and machine shops to manufacture and qualify components and tooling.
Support machine assembly, debugging, run-off, installation, and production launch.
Troubleshoot mechanical problems during machine development and production.
Analyze machine performance and implement improvements to reduce downtime and increase throughput.
Develop preventative-maintenance requirements and critical spare-parts recommendations.
Participate in design reviews, FMEA activities, root-cause analysis, and continuous-improvement projects.
Ensure equipment complies with applicable machine safety and industry standards.
Travel periodically to manufacturing sites and suppliers as required.