Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Valstad • Austin, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Valstad is developing robotic and automation systems that turn 3D models into high-mix ship structures, with a mission to expand America's maritime output. Its team works with industrial robots and manufacturing equipment at its Austin facility, and its systems are intended for deployment at shipyards and industrial facilities throughout the country.

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will own the mechanical design and development of robotic tooling, end effectors, fixtures, and automation equipment. This hands-on role spans concept development, detailed mechanical design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and deployment. The position is especially suited to engineers experienced in designing and building complex custom industrial-robot end-of-arm tooling, including systems with multiple actuators, sensors, gripping mechanisms, and precision mechanical assemblies. Experience with high-mix applications is valuable.

The engineer will have substantial ownership of mechanical design decisions and will see systems built, tested, and deployed in a production environment. The work involves designing machines that manipulate and fabricate large steel structures.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in mechanical engineering, machine design, or industrial automation.
• Demonstrated experience designing and building complex robotic end-of-arm tooling or custom automated machinery.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD and mechanical assembly design.
• Strong understanding of machine elements, mechanisms, actuation systems, and structural design.
• Experience with design for manufacturing, machining, welding, and mechanical fabrication.
• Ability to independently take a mechanical system from concept through physical implementation.
• Strong practical engineering instincts and comfort working directly with hardware.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with industrial robotic systems such as FANUC, ABB, or KUKA.
• Experience with complex grippers, multi-axis tooling, and adaptive manipulation systems.
• Experience with heavy industrial automation, welding automation, or automated material handling.
• Experience with servo-actuated mechanisms and pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
• Experience with robotic tooling involving force sensing, compliance, or precision positioning.
• Experience designing custom machinery for demanding industrial environments.
• Experience with high-mix applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop custom robotic end-of-arm tooling, including grippers, manipulators, welding tools, and multifunction end effectors.
• Engineer mechanical assemblies incorporating electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic actuation.
• Design fixtures, positioning systems, and automated material-handling equipment for large steel structures.
• Perform mechanical calculations, structural analysis, tolerance analysis, and design optimization.
• Integrate motors, gearboxes, linear motion systems, bearings, sensors, and other electromechanical components.
• Collaborate with robotics, controls, and manufacturing engineers to develop complete automated systems.
• Own the full design-build-test iteration cycle, from early prototypes to production-ready machinery.
• Work with fabricators and technicians on the shop floor to troubleshoot and improve equipment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed