Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

ATC Automation•Simi Valley, CA

About The Position

ATC Automation is seeking a hands-on, innovative Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead mechanical development of custom automation machinery, mechanisms, components, and tooling systems. The role covers projects ranging from rapid R&D initiatives to fully integrated, high-speed production systems. The engineer will work directly with customers to define and refine project requirements and collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team to deliver reliable, high-performance solutions. The position is based at ATC Automation’s Simi Valley, California facility. Remote opportunities may be considered for highly qualified candidates, with occasional travel to the facility required. The role includes hands-on support for equipment builds, testing, commissioning, installation, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization. The annual salary range is $120,000 to $140,000. ATC Automation designs and delivers custom machinery for customers across Life Science, Transportation, Consumer Products, and General Industry.

Requirements

Proven success in custom automation and machine design environments.
Strong ability to size, specify, and integrate automation peripherals such as actuators, sensors, and vision systems.
Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
Extensive knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, and tolerancing standards, including Y14.5M-2009.
Strong understanding of mechanical components, materials, and manufacturing processes, including machining, welding, and sheet metal fabrication.
Working knowledge of controls and automation system fundamentals.
Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience designing custom automated machinery.
Experience specifying and troubleshooting pneumatic systems and related components.
Expertise designing fixtures, jigs, and custom tooling for precision automation and assembly applications.
Ability to work continuously in both standing and seated positions.
Ability to frequently stand, walk, push, pull, reach overhead, and bend; work underneath machinery and in overhead work environments; occasionally lift or exert force up to 50 pounds; frequently exert force between 10 and 25 pounds; and consistently exert up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
Visual acuity for close-detail work and ability to monitor and interpret machine sounds for troubleshooting and diagnostics, with or without accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
10 or more years of experience in mechanical design within custom automation, machine building, or related industries.
Familiarity with compliance standards including CE, NFPA 79, and SEMI S8.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting and improving automated machinery performance.
Experience specifying and integrating machine vision equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting, filters, and mounting systems.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical design and development of custom automation systems, mechanisms, and components.
Establish and maintain best practices, design standards, and continuous improvement initiatives for mechanical engineering processes.
Integrate standard and custom automation components, including robotics, actuators, sensors, and vision systems.
Coordinate with project managers and cross-functional teams to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Create detailed 3D CAD models and manufacturing-ready 2D drawings for fabrication and assembly.
Mentor junior engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, and quality oversight.
Provide hands-on support during equipment build, testing, and commissioning.
Design, build, and evaluate mechanical prototypes to validate concepts before production deployment.
Collaborate with controls and software engineers to ensure seamless system integration.
Coordinate with suppliers and vendors to maintain component quality, compatibility, and delivery schedules.
Partner with customers to refine project requirements and ensure successful system performance.
Support onsite equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization as needed.