Mechanical Design Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Columbus, OH, seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to join a robotics and automation team. Take designs from concept through CAD, prototype, build, and deployment for manufacturing-ready systems.

You will design welding fixtures, tooling, and robotic cell layouts, create assemblies and BOMs in SolidWorks, perform FEA, and collaborate with manufacturing on shop-floor validation. This is a highly hands-on role with real-world impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 2–6+ years of mechanical design experience in automation, robotics, machinery, or a similar environment.
• Strong SolidWorks skills, including assemblies, drawings, GD&T, and FEA.
• Ability to create detailed, manufacturing-ready engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of pneumatics, electrical interfaces, and mechanical integration.
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems and engineering change processes.
• Hands-on mindset—you enjoy getting out from behind the computer and seeing how your designs perform on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Design welding fixtures, tooling, and robotic cell layouts for automated robotic welding systems.
• Create manufacturing-ready drawings, assemblies, layouts, and BOMs using SolidWorks and GD&T.
• Perform structural analysis and design validation using SolidWorks Simulation / FEA.
• Design and integrate pneumatic and low-voltage electrical components into mechanical systems.
• Build and test prototypes and work directly with the manufacturing team to validate designs.
• Get hands-on with machine shop work, assembly, builds, kitting, and installations when needed.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues during system builds and field deployments.
• Implement engineering changes based on manufacturing and field feedback.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to reduce costs, improve part availability, and standardize components.

Skills

SolidWorks

Automation

Robotics

FEA

GD&T

Pneumatics

Electrical interfaces

Manufacturing design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Simulation

PDM/PLM systems

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer – Robotics & Automation

Build the Hardware Behind the Future of Manufacturing

What if the mechanical systems you designed weren't just going into a machine—but were helping redefine how manufacturing gets done?

We're looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to join an innovative robotics and automation team developing next-generation systems for industrial manufacturing. This is a highly hands-on opportunity where you'll take designs from concept → CAD → prototype → build → real-world deployment.

You’ll work on electromechanical components, welding fixtures, tooling, and robotic cells that enable robots to perform complex manufacturing tasks safely, reliably, and repeatedly.

If you love SolidWorks, automation, robotics, fixtures, and actually seeing your designs come to life, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design welding fixtures, tooling, and robotic cell layouts for automated robotic welding systems.
• Create manufacturing-ready drawings, assemblies, layouts, and BOMs using SolidWorks and GD&T.
• Perform structural analysis and design validation using SolidWorks Simulation / FEA.
• Design and integrate pneumatic and low-voltage electrical components into mechanical systems.
• Build and test prototypes and work directly with the manufacturing team to validate designs.
• Get hands-on with machine shop work, assembly, builds, kitting, and installations when needed.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues during system builds and field deployments.
• Implement engineering changes based on manufacturing and field feedback.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to reduce costs, improve part availability, and standardize components.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 2–6+ years of mechanical design experience in automation, robotics, machinery, or a similar environment.
• Strong SolidWorks skills, including experience with assemblies, drawings, GD&T, and FEA.
• Ability to create detailed, manufacturing-ready engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of pneumatics, electrical interfaces, and mechanical integration.
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems and engineering change processes.
• Hands-on mindset—you enjoy getting out from behind the computer and seeing how your designs perform on the shop floor.

Why This Role Stands Out

You're not just designing—you’ll build and validate what you design.

Work directly with robotics, automation, and AI-driven manufacturing technology.

Take projects from CAD all the way through prototype and deployment.