Machine Design Engineer

Howmet Aerospace; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) in Fullerton, CA is seeking a Machine Design Engineer to design, develop, and improve high-speed automated equipment used in fastener manufacturing. You will work with manufacturing, process engineering, controls, and production teams from concept through prototype, build, installation, and production launch.

The role requires strong mechanical design skills, hands-on experience with automated machinery, and a focus on reliability, maintainability, and safety in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years designing automated machinery or production equipment.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of tolerancing, GD&T, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing equipment for high-volume manufacturing.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and work with machinists.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-speed automated machinery for fastener manufacturing.
• Develop machine concepts, layouts, tooling, fixtures, and material-handling systems.
• Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation.
• Integrate servo motors, sensors, actuators, PLCs, vision systems, and robotics with controls engineers.
• Support machine assembly, debugging, run-off, installation, and production launch.
• Analyze machine performance and implement improvements to reduce downtime and increase throughput.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

Problem-solving

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Machine Design Engineer - Automated Fastener Equipment for our aerospace fastener plant in Fullerton, CA

Summary

We are seeking an experienced Machine Design Engineer to design, develop, and improve high-speed automated equipment used in the manufacturing of fasteners and other precision components.

The successful candidate will have strong mechanical design skills and hands‑on experience developing automated machinery, tooling, fixtures, feeding systems, assembly equipment, and production automation. This person will work closely with manufacturing, process engineering, controls, and production teams to take concepts from initial design through prototype, build, installation, and production launch. This is a hands‑on engineering position for someone who understands not only how to design a machine, but also how that machine needs to operate in a high-volume, high-speed manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-speed automated machinery for fastener manufacturing and assembly.
• Develop machine concepts, layouts, mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and material‑handling systems.
• Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, drawings, bills of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
• Design systems for feeding, orienting, transferring, forming, inspecting, assembling, and packaging fasteners.
• Apply principles of mechanical engineering, machine kinematics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and automation.
• Design for high cycle rates, reliability, repeatability, maintainability, and operator safety.
• Work with controls engineers to integrate servo motors, sensors, actuators, PLCs, vision systems, and robotics.
• Develop and improve machine tooling to maximize production rates and tool life.
• Work with suppliers and machine shops to manufacture and qualify components and tooling.
• Support machine assembly, debugging, run‑off, installation, and production launch.
• Troubleshoot mechanical problems during machine development and production.
• Analyze machine performance and implement improvements to reduce downtime and increase throughput.
• Develop preventative‑maintenance requirements and critical spare‑parts recommendations.
• Participate in design reviews, FMEA activities, root‑cause analysis, and continuous‑improvement projects.
• Ensure equipment complies with applicable machine safety and industry standards.
• Travel periodically to manufacturing sites and suppliers as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• 3‑5 years of experience designing automated machinery, production equipment, tooling, or special‑purpose machines.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Experience designing mechanical systems involving bearings, shafts, cams, linkages, gears, pneumatics, linear motion, and precision tooling.
• Strong understanding of tolerancing, GD&T, fits, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing equipment for high‑volume manufacturing.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and work directly with machinists, technicians, and manufacturing personnel.
• Strong understanding of machine safety and guarding requirements.
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fastener manufacturing, cold forming, thread rolling, heading, stamping, sorting, inspection, or assembly.
• Experience designing high‑speed automated equipment.
• Experience with vibratory bowl feeders, linear feeders, escapements, indexing systems, rotary tables, and part‑transfer mechanisms.
• Experience with servo‑driven machinery and motion control.
• Experience integrating robotics, machine vision, sensors, and automated inspection.
• Experience designing carbide tooling, dies, punches, inserts, and precision forming tooling.
• Experience with PLC‑controlled automation and working with controls engineers.
• Experience with production‑rate calculations, cycle‑time analysis, and OEE improvement.
• Experience taking equipment from concept through FAT, installation, commissioning, and production acceptance.
• Experience working with outside machine builders and automation suppliers.

Benefits/Salary

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. The salary range for this position is $110k to $130k.