Mechanical Engineer

Optomec-2; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Optomec is seeking an Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer to support development, testing, manufacturing, and continuous improvement of Aerosol Jet printing systems. Ideal for a recent graduate with hands-on design and testing interests, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, and process teams.

You will contribute to prototypes, documentation, and production support across the product lifecycle, gaining exposure to precision motion systems and tooling in a lab and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• Zero to two years of professional experience; internships or projects valued.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD and mechanical drawing practices.
• Understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, materials, manufacturing processes, and tolerancing.
• Ability to create clear drawings and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with machining, sheet-metal fabrication, 3D printing, and mechanical assembly.
• Ability to use basic measurement and laboratory equipment.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Willingness to work directly with equipment in lab and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify mechanical designs for Aerosol Jet systems, fixtures, and accessories.
• Prepare detailed drawings, BOMs, and tolerance specs.
• Support design of motion assemblies, mounts, enclosures, and delivery components.
• Develop fixtures and tooling for substrates and processing.
• Perform calculations on tolerances, loads, and thermal effects.
• Assist with prototype assembly, system integration, and testing.
• Plan and conduct mechanical tests and document results.
• Translate printing requirements into mechanical/system requirements.
• Support alignment, calibration, nozzle positioning, and motion verification.
• Maintain engineering documentation and ECO changes.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers to resolve issues.

Skills

3D CAD knowledge

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Fusion 360

AutoCAD

Job description

Description

Optomec is seeking an Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer to support the development, testing, manufacturing, and continuous improvement of its Aerosol Jet printing systems. This position is well suited to a recent graduate or early-career engineer who enjoys hands‑on technical work and wants to contribute to advanced additive manufacturing technology.

The engineer will work with mechanical, electrical, software, process, and manufacturing personnel to develop precision printing equipment, motion systems, fixtures, enclosures, material‑delivery components, and customer‑specific tooling. The position will provide experience across the complete product lifecycle—from concept development and prototyping through documentation, system integration, testing, and production support.

Requirements

Primary Responsibilities

• Create and modify mechanical designs for Aerosol Jet printing systems, subsystems, fixtures, and accessories.
• Prepare detailed part drawings, assembly drawings, tolerance specifications, and bills of materials.
• Support the design of precision motion assemblies, print‑head mounts, substrate fixtures, enclosures, guarding, and material‑delivery components.
• Develop fixtures and tooling for holding, positioning, heating, and processing customer substrates.
• Perform engineering calculations involving tolerances, loads, thermal effects, component sizing, and mechanical interfaces.
• Assist with prototype assembly, system integration, troubleshooting, and design verification.
• Plan and conduct mechanical tests; document results and recommend design improvements.
• Work with process engineers to translate printing requirements into mechanical and system requirements.
• Support machine alignment, calibration, nozzle positioning, stand‑off control, and motion‑system verification.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including specifications, test procedures, assembly instructions, and service documentation.
• Update drawings and bills of materials through the engineering‑change process.
• Support manufacturing personnel and outside suppliers by resolving drawing, assembly, tolerance, and component issues.
• Help improve designs for manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, cost, and second‑source availability.
• Participate in design reviews, failure investigations, root‑cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Assist with customer demonstrations, system acceptance testing, installation, and technical support when needed.
• Follow applicable machine‑safety, laboratory, quality, and documentation procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Zero to two years of professional experience; relevant internships, laboratory work, senior design projects, or research experience are valued.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD and mechanical drawing practices.
• Understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, materials, manufacturing processes, and dimensional tolerancing.
• Ability to create clear drawings and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with standard manufacturing processes such as machining, sheet‑metal fabrication, 3D printing, and mechanical assembly.
• Ability to use basic measurement and laboratory equipment.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Willingness to work directly with equipment in an engineering laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn unfamiliar technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks (preferred), Autodesk Inventor, Fusion, AutoCAD, or comparable CAD software.
• Familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Experience creating bills of materials and working with PDM, PLM, or engineering‑change systems.
• Hands‑on experience assembling or troubleshooting electromechanical equipment.
• Exposure to precision motion systems, motors, linear stages, encoders, pneumatics, or machine controls.
• Experience designing fixtures, tooling, laboratory equipment, or automated machinery.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing, printed electronics, semiconductor equipment, robotics, or industrial automation.
• Basic understanding of thermal management, fluid systems, gas handling, or aerosol processes.
• Experience working with suppliers, machine shops, or contract manufacturers.
• Familiarity with design‑for‑manufacturing and design‑for‑assembly principles.
• Experience with engineering test plans, data collection, and technical reports.

Prior Aerosol Jet experience is not required. Training will be provided.

Knowledge and Skills Developed in This Position

The successful candidate will gain experience with:

• Aerosol‑based material deposition
• Printed electronics and additive manufacturing
• Precision multi‑axis motion systems
• Machine design and system integration
• Print‑head and substrate‑fixture design
• Process‑equipment development
• Product testing and design verification
• Manufacturing documentation and configuration control
• Supplier and contract‑manufacturing support
• Equipment installation and customer applications

Work Environment

This position combines computer‑based design work with hands‑on work in engineering laboratories and manufacturing areas. The engineer may occasionally work around moving machinery, lasers, ultraviolet curing equipment, heated components, process gases, and chemical materials while following established safety procedures.

Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits, customer installations, system acceptance testing, training, or technical support.

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate

The ideal candidate:

• Enjoys building and troubleshooting real equipment.
• Is curious about how mechanical, electrical, software, and process systems interact.
• Takes ownership of drawings, documentation, and design details.
• Is comfortable asking questions and learning from experienced engineers and technicians.
• Approaches problems methodically and communicates findings clearly.
• Understands that a successful design must be manufacturable, serviceable, reliable, and properly documented.
• Is enthusiastic about working on emerging manufacturing technologies.

About Optomec Aerosol Jet Technology

Optomec Aerosol Jet technology enables the printing of fine-feature electronic materials onto planar and three‑dimensional substrates. Applications include printed electronics, semiconductor packaging, sensors, antennas, interconnects, biomedical devices, and other advanced manufacturing applications. The technology combines aerosol generation, material delivery, precision motion, process control, and advanced software to deposit functional materials with high accuracy.

Optomec is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without

regard to legally protected characteristics.