Mechanical Systems Engineer

IPG•Schaumburg, IL

21h

About The Position

The Mechanical Systems Engineer evaluates, improves, and extends the life of automated machinery through engineered upgrades, rebuilds, retrofits, and modernization projects. The role develops practical mechanical solutions for existing equipment, supports obsolescence management, improves machine performance and reliability, and creates engineering documentation for implementation. The engineer assesses existing machine designs, identifies improvement opportunities, and develops mechanical solutions that integrate with automation and controls systems when required. The position works closely with Controls Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, Supply Chain, and Operations to deliver cost-effective modernization solutions. It is a hands-on role suited to an engineer who can understand evolving equipment, work with incomplete documentation, and apply practical engineering judgment. The position requires travel to customer and manufacturing locations, estimated at 30%–50%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; a Mechatronics Engineering degree or related engineering discipline is also considered.
At least 5 years of experience designing, supporting, modifying, or upgrading industrial machinery and automated equipment.
Strong mechanical engineering and machine design experience.
Experience developing equipment retrofits, rebuilds, modernization projects, or custom machine modifications.
Working knowledge of industrial controls, PLC-based automation, HMIs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networks.
Strong troubleshooting experience involving integrated mechanical and controls systems.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and automation documentation.
Experience creating engineering documentation, CAD models, drawings, and bills of material.
Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Ability and willingness to travel to customer and manufacturing locations 30%–50%.

Nice To Haves

Experience with packaging machinery, palletizing systems, robotics, or material handling systems.
Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar industrial automation platforms.
Experience supporting Fanuc or similar robotic systems.
Experience in food, pharmaceutical, packaging, converting, or consumer products industries.

Responsibilities

Develop mechanical solutions for modifications, upgrades, and modernization of existing automated equipment.
Engineer retrofit packages that improve machine performance, reliability, maintainability, safety, and operational efficiency.
Evaluate existing equipment designs and determine effective approaches for adding functionality while minimizing unnecessary redesign.
Support obsolescence-driven redesign when components, assemblies, or technologies are no longer available.
Develop modernization solutions that integrate new mechanical technologies with existing machine platforms.
Collaborate with Controls Engineering to integrate mechanical and automation system upgrades.
Evaluate equipment and determine appropriate mechanical rebuild scope.
Redesign worn, obsolete, damaged, or underperforming components and assemblies.
Develop engineering drawings, bills of materials, specifications, and supporting documentation for rebuild projects.
Improve machine designs to increase reliability, serviceability, manufacturability, and performance; support practical standardization across machine platforms.
Analyze equipment performance issues and develop engineered solutions to improve long-term reliability.
Review legacy machine documentation, field feedback, and operational data to identify improvement opportunities.
Provide technical design guidance to Service and Manufacturing teams on retrofit and modernization projects.
Conduct equipment evaluations, field measurements, and site assessments as needed for engineering design.
Provide technical recommendations for machine upgrades, component replacements, and design improvements.
Create and revise mechanical drawings, assemblies, layouts, and manufacturing documentation using 3D CAD software.
Develop and maintain bills of materials for retrofit, rebuild, and modernization projects.
Review and interpret legacy drawings and machine documentation to understand existing equipment designs.
Update engineering documentation to reflect approved design improvements and modifications.
Develop solutions that account for manufacturability, serviceability, installation requirements, cost, lead time, and lifecycle support.
Manage engineering documentation and revision control in accordance with company standards.
Perform related tasks as requested by the supervisor.