Mechanical Engineer III

Cohu, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition assistance

Disability & life insurance

Profit Sharing

Job summary

Cohu, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with expertise in automation equipment design, mechanisms, and electromechanical systems to join our San Diego area team.

The role focuses on developing innovative mechanical solutions for new product introductions and enhancing existing automation platforms. The ideal candidate will be hands-on, creative, and able to work with cross-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, software, and vision engineering to deliver robust, manufacturable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• 10+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Experience developing automation or robotic systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design and develop automation and mechanical tech, including prototypes, testing, and transfer to high-volume production.
• Lead engineering efforts for new and existing mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Improve and optimize current designs, assemblies, and processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and vendors to deliver robust designs.

Skills

Mechanical design

Mechanism design

Automation systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Simulation

Job description

Cohu is a world leader in semiconductor handling equipment used to test ICs. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer with expertise in automation equipment design, mechanisms, and electromechanical systems.

This role focuses on developing innovative mechanical solutions for new product introductions and enhancing our existing automation platforms. We’re looking for someone who is creative, hands‑on, and excited about engineering complex automation systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and develop automation and mechanical technologies, including prototypes, testing, and transfer to high‑volume production.
• Lead engineering efforts for new and existing mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Improve and optimize current designs, assemblies, and processes.

Engineering Analysis & Documentation

• Perform mechanical analysis to validate design feasibility and risk.
• Create detailed drawings, assemblies, BOMs, alignment procedures, and engineering documentation.
• Conduct functional, reliability, and performance testing.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work with mechanical, electrical, software, and vision engineering teams, both locally and remotely.
• Interface with operations, sales, customers, and other Cohu business units.
• Select, evaluate and qualify new vendor components for performance and reliability.
• Participate in all phases of development: requirements, design, integration, test, deployment, and support.
• Develop and maintain project requirements, specs, schedules, and budgets.
• Manage timelines, design reviews, and functional specifications for new sub-assemblies.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers and designers.
• May lead development of modules or sub-assemblies using system engineering methods to support clear requirements and multi-discipline interfaces

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical design.
• Strong background in mechanism design, including gears, racks, bearings, actuators, linkages, motors, cylinders, vacuum components, etc.
• Experience developing automation or robotic systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation.
• Working knowledge of materials, coatings, plastics, manufacturing processes, GD&T, and design for manufacturability.

Preferred Skills (Nice-to-Have)

• Exposure to thermal systems, heat transfer, CFD, or thermal‑mechanical FEA.
• Experience with MTBF, FMEA, or reliability engineering.
• Ability to interpret and analyze lab data or field system data.

Soft Skills & Tools

• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to direct drafters/designers and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• “Big picture” engineering approach, with strong creativity and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in MS PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Project.

Work Conditions

• Up to 15% domestic and international travel.
• Lab environment with intermittent noise.
• Extended periods at a computer workstation.
• Able to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

Compensation:

The estimated base pay range for this position is $115,000-170,000 per year, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related factors. This range represents Cohu’s good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for this role upon hire. This role may also be eligible for other compensation programs as determined by company policy.

Featured benefits

• 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition assistance
• Disability & life insurance
• Profit Sharing

With more than 3000 employees worldwide, we offer challenging and rewarding work experiences, generous employee benefits and a strong company culture. If you are looking for a global publicly traded company that provides you with international experience and a challenging work environment, then Cohu is your choice.

Cohu firmly supports the U.S. national and various state and local policies of equal employment opportunity which are designed to provide equality of employment and advancement opportunities to every individual without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, gender, gender identity or gender expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other legally protected category.

In addition, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified disabled individuals, upon request.

Globally, Cohu is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing employment, in the U.S. and in all other locations around the world where we have operations.