Design Engineer – Automated Machine Design

SST Direct; Farmington (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Superior Skilled Trades is seeking a SolidWorks Design Engineer to design automated machinery in Farmington, CT. The role requires hands-on mechanical design with a focus on precision equipment and automated inspection systems.

You will work with engineering and manufacturing teams through concept, detailing, fabrication, assembly, testing, and implementation, delivering reliable, manufacturable solutions. The ideal candidate has at least five years of SolidWorks experience, strong 3D modeling

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional mechanical design experience using SolidWorks.
• Experience designing automated machinery, custom machines, mechanical equipment, or complex electromechanical assemblies.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks 3D modeling, assemblies, detailed drawings, and design documentation.
• Experience taking mechanical designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, testing, and final implementation.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, tolerances, fits, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Experience designing custom fixtures, tooling, machine components, or production equipment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical solutions to complex mechanical design challenges.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality designs.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop custom automated machinery, mechanical assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and precision gaging equipment using SolidWorks.
• Translate customer requirements and engineering concepts into detailed 3D models, assemblies, manufacturing drawings, and production-ready designs.
• Develop mechanical systems for automated inspection, dimensional measurement, part handling, positioning, sorting, and process control applications.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), assembly drawings, and design revisions.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, machining, and assembly teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, reliable, and cost-effective.
• Select and integrate mechanical components, including bearings, linear guides, actuators, pneumatic components, sensors, and other industrial automation hardware.
• Support prototype development, equipment assembly, troubleshooting, testing, and design validation.
• Evaluate existing designs and identify opportunities to improve machine performance, measurement accuracy, repeatability, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
• Apply mechanical engineering principles, dimensional tolerancing, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure precision and functional performance.
• Work with internal stakeholders to resolve design challenges and support projects from initial concept through final implementation.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and ensure designs meet customer specifications, quality requirements, and manufacturing standards.

Skills

SolidWorks

Mechanical design

Automation machinery

Engineering documentation

GD&T

Team collaboration

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

SolidWorks Design Engineer - Automated Machine Design

Location: Farmington, CT
Job Type: Direct Hire
Salary: $100,000+ annually, based on experience

About the Opportunity

Superior Skilled Trades is partnered with a company specializing in precision gaging and dimensional measurement solutions to identify an experienced SolidWorks Design Engineer - Automated Machine Design for a Direct Hire Opportunity in Farmington, CT.

This position is ideal for a hands-on mechanical design professional with at least five years of experience designing custom automated machinery, mechanical assemblies, and precision equipment using SolidWorks. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing custom machinery and automated inspection systems used in advanced manufacturing environments.

Working closely with engineering and manufacturing teams, this individual will manage mechanical design projects from initial concept through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and final implementation. The ideal candidate combines strong 3D modeling skills with practical manufacturing knowledge, precision engineering expertise, and the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex mechanical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop custom automated machinery, mechanical assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and precision gaging equipment using SolidWorks.

• Translate customer requirements and engineering concepts into detailed 3D models, assemblies, manufacturing drawings, and production-ready designs.

• Develop mechanical systems for automated inspection, dimensional measurement, part handling, positioning, sorting, and process control applications.

• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), assembly drawings, and design revisions.

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, machining, and assembly teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, reliable, and cost-effective.

• Select and integrate mechanical components, including bearings, linear guides, actuators, pneumatic components, sensors, and other industrial automation hardware.

• Support prototype development, equipment assembly, troubleshooting, testing, and design validation.

• Evaluate existing designs and identify opportunities to improve machine performance, measurement accuracy, repeatability, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

• Apply mechanical engineering principles, dimensional tolerancing, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure precision and functional performance.

• Work with internal stakeholders to resolve design challenges and support projects from initial concept through final implementation.

• Maintain accurate engineering records and ensure designs meet customer specifications, quality requirements, and manufacturing standards.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional mechanical design experience using SolidWorks.

• Demonstrated experience designing automated machinery, custom machines, mechanical equipment, or complex electromechanical assemblies.

• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks 3D modeling, assemblies, detailed drawings, and design documentation.

• Experience taking mechanical designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, testing, and final implementation.

• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, tolerances, fits, materials, and manufacturing processes.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.

• Experience designing custom fixtures, tooling, machine components, or production equipment.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical solutions to complex mechanical design challenges.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and manufacturing teams.

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality designs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing automated inspection equipment, precision gaging systems, or dimensional measurement solutions.

• Familiarity with pneumatic systems, actuators, sensors, motors, and other industrial automation components.

• Experience with machine vision, optical inspection, or automated measurement technologies.

• Understanding of CNC machining, precision manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly processes.

• Experience developing custom machinery for high-precision manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with equipment commissioning, troubleshooting, and design validation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented mechanical design professional who enjoys developing custom machinery and solving complex engineering challenges. They should be comfortable working hands-on with engineering and manufacturing teams, translating concepts into functional designs, and supporting equipment through the full development lifecycle.

Position Details

• Location: Farmington, CT

• Employment Type: Direct Hire

• Compensation: $100,000+ annually, depending on experience

• Experience Level: 5+ years of mechanical design experience

• Primary Software: SolidWorks