R&D Mechanical Engineer

Whisker•Auburn Hills, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Whisker is redefining what it means to live with cats—designing intelligent systems that remove friction, elevate the everyday, and celebrate the quiet brilliance of feline companionship. Today, Litter-Robot leads the category. Tomorrow, an entire ecosystem that expands what’s possible for cats and the people who love them. We believe the future is feline. And we’re imagining that future today. We work onsite 4+ days a week, with our team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Juneau, Wisconsin. Our team of 700+ passionate pet people thrives on collaboration, innovation, and the occasional office cameo from a four-legged friend. We are seeking a talented and innovative Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic Research and Advanced Development team at Whisker, a leader in connected pet care products and services. In this role, you will play a key part in shaping the future of connected pet care by developing cutting-edge mechanical and mechatronic devices that are well ahead of market trends. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including firmware and electrical engineers, product managers, and designers, to explore new and novel pet care devices. Your expertise in mechatronics and creative mechanical design will help bring advanced concepts to life, enabling us to create next-generation products that deliver exceptional user experiences and improve the well-being of pets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
5-10+ years of experience in mechanical design and development, ideally in consumer electronics, IoT devices, or similar product areas
Experience with a broad range of mechanisms employed to solve engineering problems
Proficiency in CAD software and 3D modeling, including surfacing and top-down master modeling techniques
Extensive experience with mechanical prototyping and rapid prototyping methods (e.g., 3D printing, CNC machining), and testing
Experience creating motorized systems from the ground up
Knowledge of materials science and experience selecting materials for performance, durability, and manufacturability
Knowledge of Injection molded plastics, sheet metal and other common manufacturing processes
Understanding of design for assembly (DFA), design for manufacturability (DFM), and design for testing (DFT) principles
Ability to analyze and optimize mechanical systems for factors such as performance, weight, cost, thermal management, and environmental durability
Experience with integrating mechanical systems with electrical, motor, and sensor technologies
Strong problem-solving skills, with a focus on innovative solutions that balance form, function, and cost
Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs)

Nice To Haves

VEX, BEST, PLTW, OCCRA, Combat Robotics, Robofest, FIRST or other design/build challenge experience, Including home projects.
Experience with Arduino, Raspberry Pi and similar platforms
Working knowledge of GD&T and component sourcing
Experience in designing products for consumer health or pet care markets
Basic understanding of electrical and firmware design
Experience with Creo

Responsibilities

Researches, develops, rapidly prototypes, and optimizes systems and mechanisms for connected pet care products, including actuators, motors, gear systems, and drive mechanisms that support automated product features
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure designs integrate smoothly with other subsystems, including sensors, electronics, and wireless communication technologies
Conducts feasibility studies and simulations to determine the optimal designs for specific product applications
Designs, programs, and fabricates automated test fixtures
Defines and performs robust testing to ensure concepts meet performance requirements
Selects appropriate materials to balance strength, weight, and cost while ensuring longevity and durability
Designs and tests prototypes, iterating daily based on testing feedback to meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements
Develops detailed CAD models and technical drawings of motorized systems, including mechanical linkages, enclosures, and housings for integration with other product components
Works closely with production design and sourcing teams to ensure that designs have a line of sight to scalable and cost-effective high-volume production
Stays up to date on the latest advancements in motor technology, sensing, automation, and motion control systems to incorporate innovative solutions into new products
Contributes to product documentation, including design specifications, design process, test procedures, and troubleshooting guides to support product development and production teams
Will perform additional duties as required