Virtual Reality Manufacturing Engineer

Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics

About The Position

Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics is an industry-leading consulting firm specializing in engineering and ergonomics solutions for manufacturers. Our mission is to help clients reduce work-related risks, improve productivity, and enhance employee health through innovative programs, research, and technology. We work closely with manufacturers across the automotive sector, supporting stakeholders from executives to the factory floor. As a Virtual Reality Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing VR-driven ergonomic and manufacturing solutions for our automotive clients. Your work will directly impact how manufacturing processes are designed, reviewed, and optimized, ensuring both operational excellence and worker safety.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ergonomics, a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience
1–3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or assembly context
Hands-on experience with VR, simulation, or ergonomics software applications used in manufacturing (such as ICIDO, Process Simulate VR, Theorem, or similar VR tools)
Experience with CAD and PLM systems (e.g., Siemens NX, TeamCenter, VisMockup or comparable tools) for model preparation
Knowledge of automotive assembly processes
Experience performing manufacturing feasibility assessments
Experience evaluating ergonomics—including force, posture, hand clearance, and eyesight/visibility—in manufacturing or assembly environments
English proficiency sufficient for professional work and current authorization to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Experience leading virtual reality model development and review sessions with cross-functional stakeholders
Experience capturing, tracking, and documenting findings/issues from technical reviews and driving issue resolution
Experience developing and maintaining standards, work instructions, and training materials for technical processes or tools
Hands-on experience with ICIDO
Hands-on experience with Process Simulate VR
Hands-on experience with Theorem VR

Responsibilities

Lead the development and facilitation of virtual reality model review sessions, selecting appropriate VR tools and preparing models, hardware, and software for stakeholder engagement.
Create and modify VR models, simulations, and ergonomic assessments—including process simulations with human manikins—to evaluate force, posture, hand clearance, and eyesight in alignment with Ford VOME guidelines.
Collaborate with engineering teams to capture, track, and document VR review findings and issues, driving resolution and updates to models based on feedback.
Develop and maintain VR-related standards, methods, work instructions, and training materials to support VR applications across multiple projects.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams to plan VR study objectives, manage CAD/model preparation workflows, and facilitate ergonomic compliance and workstation design evaluations.