Mechanical Design Engineer - CATIA V5

GABLETEK; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

GABLETEK is seeking a Senior CATIA V5 Mechanical Designer in Southfield, MI, focused on automotive body shop automation. The role requires substantial expertise in designing and checking tooling for production environments.

Successful candidates will have 8+ years of experience, strong skills in CATIA V5, and a proven background in Body-in-White tooling and transfer systems, supporting both design and project engineering activities.

Qualifications

• Approximately 8+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Expert proficiency with CATIA V5.
• Extensive experience with Body-in-White (BIW) tooling.

Responsibilities

• Design and check Body-in-White (BIW) tooling using CATIA V5.
• Develop detailed 3D models and 2D manufacturing drawings.
• Design transfer systems and tooling fixtures for automotive body shops.

Skills

CATIA V5 proficiency

Mechanical design experience

Body-in-White tooling expertise

Transfer System Design

Education

Associate Degree in Mechanical Technology

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Location & Travel

Southfield, MI. 5–20% domestic & international travel required.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior CATIA V5 Mechanical Designer / Checker with a strong background in Body-in-White (BIW) tooling, transfer systems, and fixture design. This position is focused on automotive body shop automation and requires hands‑on experience designing and checking tooling for production environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and check Body-in-White (BIW) tooling using CATIA V5


• Develop detailed 3D models and 2D manufacturing drawings


• Design transfer systems and tooling fixtures for automotive body shops


• Modify existing tooling and develop new mechanical designs for simple to complex systems


• Create kit sheets illustrating design revisions and modifications


• Review customer specifications, sketches, and engineering data to ensure design accuracy


• Apply North American automotive standards and customer specifications throughout the design process


• Coordinate with Project Engineers, Technical Leaders, Mechanical Engineers, suppliers, and manufacturing teams


• Support supplier integration, purchased components, and imported CAD models


• Participate in installation, startup, debugging, and final equipment acceptance as needed

Required Qualifications

• Approximately 8+ years of mechanical design experience


• Expert proficiency with CATIA V5


• Extensive experience with Body-in-White (BIW) tooling


• Strong background in Transfer System Design & Coordination

Experience Designing

• GEO Systems


• Framing Lines


• Bodyside Systems


• Sub-Assembly Fixtures


• Tooling Fixtures


• Transfer Systems

Knowledge of

• North American automotive standards


• Body assembly geometry


• Fixture tooling


• Tool stack‑up methodology


• Auto assembly strategies


• Part flow through body shops


• Pallet systems


• Robot systems

Experience importing and coordinating purchased components including

• Weld Guns


• End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)


• Switches


• Supplier Models

Familiarity with

• NAAMS Standards


• Customer CAD Standards


• CAD attributes


• CAD checking procedures


• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Mechanical Technology or equivalent experience


• Additional experience with Powertrain automation projects


• Understanding of mechanical design sequences and controls documentation


• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills


• Ability to interpret customer specifications and technical documentation


• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and mechanical systems


• Ability to work independently and within cross‑functional engineering teams

Travel

Domestic and international travel may be required (approximately 5–20%) to support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, and customer acceptance.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Body-in-White (BIW)


• Automotive Tooling


• Automation Systems


• Transfer Systems


• Tooling Fixtures


• Machine Building


• Automotive Assembly Equipment


• CATIA V5 Mechanical Design