Mechanical Designer
Location: Southfield, MI
Job Type: Contract- Full Time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Position Summary:
The Mechanical Designer / Project Engineer leads the mechanical engineering execution for industrial automation projects from proposal through final customer buy-off. This role is responsible for directing system design, managing project scopes and engineering changes, and ensuring all mechanical solutions for powertrain machining and assembly lines meet strict technical, budget, and safety standards.
Responsibilities:
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Lead mechanical project engineering activities for powertrain (machining and assembly) automation systems from inception to site commissioning.
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Evaluate customer specifications, baseline planning, and technical requirements to define homogeneous mechanical solutions across all project commodities.
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Manage project scope, engineering change requests (ECNs), budget matching, and cost-to-complete (CTC) monitoring.
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Serve as the primary technical customer interface, leading technical reviews, managing Open Issues Lists, and conducting root cause analyses.
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Coordinate system engineers, scout suppliers, draft RFQ content, and evaluate mechanical make/buy strategies.
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Oversee risk management, safety assessments, layout design, and compliance with industry standards.
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Define execution timing and strategies for design changes, ensuring minimal impact on delivery schedules and resources.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automation, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
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Minimum 5 years of mechanical engineering experience within industrial automation or the automotive sector.
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Strong technical background in Powertrain systems, specifically Machining and/or Assembly line design.
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Demonstrated experience in project engineering, scope control, change management, and budget monitoring.
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Proficiency in mechanical design principles, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), clamping strategies, and conveyor/transportation systems.
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Willingness to travel to customer and supplier sites as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Master’s degree in Engineering or related field
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Deep expertise in cycle time analysis, discrete event simulation, and ergonomics evaluations.
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Proven track record managing tooling/retooling lines, line re-use health assessments, and site installation risk assessments.
