Senior Mechanical Designer

• Lead projects for automated welding systems and industrial automation equipment—from scope and concept through detailed design, build, FAT/SAT, and customer handover.

• Serve as the technical project lead, planning scope, milestones, and risks; run design reviews; coordinate cross‑functional teams and suppliers to meet safety, quality, cost, and schedule targets.

• Lead the development and maintenance of mechanical designs, including heavy welded structures, bases, frames, positioners, and gantries.

• Work primarily on: Column & Boom manipulators, Gantry systems, Side Beam welders, and Custom welding cells (including associated fixtures, tooling, and interfaces).

• Create 3D models, detailed designs, and modifications of mechanical components and assemblies—primarily in SolidWorks (weldments, sheet metal, large assemblies, configurations, PDM).

• Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) (SolidWorks Simulation preferred) to assess stress, deflection, buckling, and fatigue; define load cases, boundary conditions, and safety factors; document assumptions and iterate designs accordingly.

• Generate layouts, drafts, and fabrication drawings to industry standards; apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5), weld symbols, notes, BOMs, and inspection requirements.

• Collaborate with applications, controls/robotics, and manufacturing teams to convert concept designs into robust, build-ready products; conduct design reviews and participate in DFMEA/risk assessments.

• Occasionally visit customer sites during proposal/pre‑sales stages to support scoping, site measurements, layout reviews, feasibility and risk assessments, and to capture requirements and interface constraints.

• Drive Continuous Improvement (CI): analyze existing products and designs for reliability, quality, and performance; apply Lean/Kaizen, DFM/DFA, standardization, tolerance stack‑ups, and FEA‑based optimization to reduce cost, lead time, distortion, and maintenance time, and to improve safety.

• Select appropriate materials (e.g., structural steels, alloys) and specify manufacturing processes (welding, machining, plate/laser cutting, forming) with DFM/DFA principles and tolerance stack-ups.

• Coordinate with suppliers and fabricators to source, qualify, and expedite key components; review vendor drawings and conduct design‑for‑weldability/manufacturability reviews.

• Support the manufacturing team on the shop floor; resolve design‑related issues, NCRs, and ECNs promptly; provide redlines and revision updates.

• Generate supporting documents to develop operation and maintenance manuals, spare parts lists, and assembly instructions.

• Ensure compliance with machinery and automation safety standards (e.g., CSA Z432, CSA Z434, ISO 12100, ISO 10218) and incorporate guarding, interlocks, and risk mitigation into designs.

• Mentor junior engineers/designers and, where applicable, lead small project teams (task planning, scheduling, design reviews, configuration management/PDM discipline).

• Participate co‑operatively in the company’s Performance Appraisal Process and Merit Rating System.

• Actively participate in company, staff, and one‑on‑one meetings to strengthen teamwork, communication, and cross‑departmental collaboration.

• Contribute to company profitability by initiating, recommending, and implementing Continuous Improvement (CI) strategies.

• Fully abide by and actively support the company’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) policies, practices, and procedures.

• Conduct any general duties, specific projects, and responsibilities as assigned by the Automation Engineering Manager in a timely, professional manner.

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent combination of technical education and work experience);
• Professional Engineering Certificate preferred
• Minimum 5+ years of proven mechanical design experience on projects involving welding automation and/or industrial automation equipment.
• Direct experience with Column & Booms, Gantries, Side Beam welders, and/or Custom welding cells is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise designing heavy welded structures/weldments (bases, frames, positioners, lifting fixtures), validated via calculations and FEA.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks (weldments, large assemblies, configurations, drawings, PDM); SolidWorks Simulation (linear static, contact, buckling; fatigue exposure is an asset).
• Proficient with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and creating fabrication‑ready drawings with weld symbols, datums, and inspection plans.
• Strong knowledge of machining practices and weld processes (e.g., GMAW/MIG, GTAW/TIG, SAW) including distortion control and joint design.
• Solid foundation in engineering calculations (loads, welded/bolted joints, section sizing, stiffness/deflection, lifting points, shafts/bearings as applicable).
• Familiar with manufacturing processes (welding, cutting, machining, forming) and DFM/DFA; capable of conducting tolerance stack‑ups.
• Experience collaborating with fabricators, shop floors, and suppliers; reviewing vendor drawings and managing long‑lead items.
• Familiar with machinery and automation safety standards (e.g., CSA Z432, CSA Z434, ISO 12100, ISO 10218) and risk assessment methodologies (e.g., DFMEA).
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives (Lean/Kaizen, PDCA/DMAIC, DFM/DFA, standardization, mistake‑proofing).
• Proven experience leading projects or major design workstreams in an automation environment; ability to manage scope/schedule and drive cross‑functional delivery (PMP is an asset, not required).
• Proven ability to deliver assignments under tight timelines with minimal supervision; strong ownership, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Leadership/mentorship experience, including guiding junior engineers/designers and leading small design teams.
• Detail‑oriented self‑starter and team player with excellent oral and written communication and effective multi‑tasking/problem‑solving skills.

Lincoln Electric