Mechanical Designer

Vance Airscoop; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SSI is seeking a Mechanical Designer to support our industrial automation product line, designing test cells, fixtures, and mechanical systems for automated production lines. This role emphasizes precision, repeatability, and robust designs under real operating loads.

You will work closely with controls engineers to take concepts from sketch to a working production system, sizing components, selecting materials, and ensuring manufacturability on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
• Proficient with CAD and GD&T.
• Ability to size motors/actuators and design for manufacturability.
• Experience designing fixtures, tooling, or mechanical systems for test/production environments.

Responsibilities

• Design test cells and fixtures for production testing using 3D CAD.
• Develop mechanical systems for automated material handling.
• Create detailed drawings with GD&T and BOMs.
• Calculate loads, torque, and forces for motor sizing.
• Select materials suitable for cycle time and wear.
• Collaborate with controls to integrate PLCs, servo drives, VFDs, sensors, and pneumatics.
• Support prototyping, bench tests, and on-line commissioning.
• Address fabrication issues with manufacturability in mind.
• Maintain and revise fixtures based on performance data.
• Assist sourcing by evaluating vendors and make-vs-buy options.
• Prepare assembly and maintenance documentation.

Skills

CAD proficiency

GD&T knowledge

Load/torque calculation

Sheet metal & fabrication

Fixtures/tooling design

Hands-on prototyping

Education

Associate's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD 3D

SolidWorks

Job description

Position Summary

SSI is seeking a Mechanical Designer to support our industrial automation product line — designing test cells, fixtures, and mechanical systems for automated production lines (including pick-and-place robotics and material handling). This role works closely with controls engineers to take concepts from sketch to a working production system, designing mechanisms that are precise, repeatable, and mechanically sound under real operating loads.

Key Responsibilities

• Design test cells, fixtures, and tooling for production testing and inspection using 3D CAD
• Design mechanical systems for automated material handling, including pick-and-place mechanisms, conveyors, and end-effector/gripper tooling
• Produce detailed manufacturing drawings with GD&T, tolerancing, and BOMs
• Calculate loads, torque, and force requirements to properly size servo motors, gearboxes, actuators, and structural members for each application
• Select materials and mechanical hardware suited to production-line duty cycles (repeatability, wear, precision alignment, cycle time)
• Collaborate with controls engineers to integrate PLCs, servo drives, VFDs, sensors, and pneumatics into fixture and cell designs, ensuring mechanical design supports required motion and load profiles
• Support prototyping, bench testing, and on-line commissioning of new fixtures/cells; iterate based on production performance
• Work with the shop floor to resolve fabrication and assembly issues; design for manufacturability (sheet metal, machining, welding, 3D printing)
• Maintain and revise existing fixtures/test cells based on production feedback and reliability data
• Support sourcing by identifying vendors/parts (servo motors, gearboxes, actuators, robotic components, fasteners) and evaluating make-vs-buy decisions
• Assist with documentation for fixture/cell designs, including assembly and maintenance instructions

Required Qualifications

• Associate's with minimum of 7 years experience or Bachelor's degree with 2 year experience in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Proficiency with standard CAD platforms — AutoCAD 3D or SolidWorks (preferred)
• Working knowledge of GD&T and mechanical drawing standards
• Ability to calculate loads, torque, and force requirements for motor/actuator sizing and structural design
• Understanding of sheet metal fabrication, machining processes, and fastener/hardware selection
• Experience designing fixtures, tooling, or mechanical systems for test/production environments
• Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working hands-on with prototypes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing pick-and-place mechanisms, robotic end-effectors, or automated material handling systems
• Familiarity with PLC-controlled systems, servo motors/drives, and VFDs, and how they interface mechanically (couplings, gearing, mounting)
• Understanding of motion control concepts (inertia matching, backlash, precision alignment/locating features)
• Exposure to industrial robotics (e.g., 6-axis arms, SCARA, gantry systems) and their mechanical integration
• Experience supporting production ramp-up or working directly with controls/manufacturing engineers to refine fixture designs