Lead Mechanical Engineer — Custom Automation Equipment

GCS Recruitment; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GCS Recruitment is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead the design of custom automation equipment, owning concepts from initial design through build, testing, and production deployment in a hands-on role focused on complex machinery.

You will collaborate with controls, software, and electrical engineers, perform prototyping and qualification, and support deployment to production sites in Shakopee, MN, and future sites in Mexico.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing custom automation equipment or semi-automated manufacturing systems.
• Expert proficiency with SolidWorks including complex assemblies.
• Experience with SolidWorks PDM and engineering document control.
• Strong 2D drafting skills with GD&T, tolerancing and manufacturing documentation.
• Knowledge of material selection for precision equipment.
• Experience integrating purchased mechanical components into custom systems.
• Hands-on experience building, assembling, testing, and debugging equipment.
• Collaborative work with controls, software, and process engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of complex semi-automated manufacturing equipment using SolidWorks.
• Manage designs within SolidWorks PDM with revision control and data management.
• Create detailed 2D drawings with full dimensioning, tolerancing, and GD&T.
• Select materials and specify components including bearings, actuators, pneumatics, sensors, and linear motion systems.
• Design for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, operator usability and serviceability.
• Perform hands-on prototyping, assembly, testing, debugging and equipment qualification.
• Partner with controls, software and electrical engineers to integrate PLCs, robotics, and vision systems.
• Translate process requirements into practical equipment solutions with process engineering teams.
• Support deployment of equipment to production operations in Shakopee and future expansion sites in Mexico.

Skills

Mechanical design

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on prototyping

Mentoring junior engineers

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks PDM

PLC systems

Vision systems

Job description

GCS Recruitment is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead the design of custom automation equipment, owning concepts from initial design through build, testing, and production deployment in a hands-on role focused on complex machinery.

You will collaborate with controls, software, and electrical engineers, perform prototyping and qualification, and support deployment to production sites in Shakopee, MN, and future sites in Mexico.