Mechanical Systems Engineer

Itape; Schaumburg, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Itape is seeking a Mechanical Systems Engineer to evaluate existing equipment, design retrofit concepts, and implement upgrades across customer sites and manufacturing facilities.

The role balances mechanical design with controls and automation knowledge, supporting installation, commissioning, and validation while traveling 50-70% to customer locations. A strong engineering background and hands-on problem solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering required.
• Minimum 5 years designing or upgrading industrial machinery.
• Experience integrating controls and automation with machine design.
• Willingness to travel 50-70% to customer sites and plants.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate installed equipment and develop retrofit solutions for upgrades.
• Design mechanical mods for packaging, palletizers, robotics, and handling systems.
• Create layouts, drawings, BOMs, and change documentation.
• Conduct site surveys to define scope and technical requirements.
• Support installation, startup, and validation of retrofit solutions.
• Provide field and remote technical support for customers.

Skills

Mechanical design

Industrial machinery

Automation systems

Troubleshooting

Project management

Reading schematics

CAD modeling

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

HMI/SCADA

Robotics integration

Job description

Title: Mechanical Systems Engineer

Department: Engineering

Immediate Supervisor: Customer and Aftermarket Service Manager

Status: Exempt

Position Purpose: The Mechanical Systems Engineer - Retrofits & Modernization serves as a key engineering resource responsible for the evaluation, design, and implementation of retrofit, rebuild, upgrade, and modification solutions for installed customer equipment and internal manufacturing systems. This position focuses on improving machine performance, reliability, safety, maintainability, and lifecycle value through engineered mechanical and integrated automation solutions.

The engineer will assess existing equipment, identify opportunities for improvement, develop retrofit concepts, create engineering documentation, and support implementation activities from concept through commissioning. Working closely with customers, field service personnel, manufacturing operations, and engineering teams, this role combines mechanical engineering expertise with a working knowledge of controls and automation systems to solve complex equipment challenges.

This position requires a hands‑on engineer capable of balancing machine design, field support, troubleshooting, and project execution while providing practical solutions for both customer‑installed equipment and manufacturing operations.

Principle Accountabilities

Retrofit & Modernization Engineering

1. Evaluate installed equipment and develop engineered solutions for machine retrofits, upgrades, rebuilds, and performance improvements.
2. Design mechanical modifications for packaging machinery, palletizers, robotics, material handling systems, and auxiliary automation equipment.
3. Develop mechanical layouts, assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, bills of material, and engineering change documentation.
4. Conduct field assessments and site surveys to define project scope, technical requirements, and implementation plans.
5. Identify and implement equipment improvements that enhance reliability, safety, maintainability, throughput, and overall machine performance.
6. Evaluate legacy equipment and create modernization plans that incorporate current technologies and replacement of obsolete components.
7. Coordinate mechanical and controls modifications required to support customer-driven changes and operational improvements.
8. Support installation, startup, commissioning, and validation of retrofit solutions at customer and manufacturing sites.

Service Engineering Support

1. Provide technical support to field service technicians, customers, and service managers for mechanical, electrical, controls, robotics, and automation‑related issues.
2. Troubleshoot machine performance issues involving packaging systems, palletizers, material handling equipment, robotics, and automation systems.
3. Analyze recurring equipment issues and develop permanent corrective actions and engineered solutions.
4. Assist in diagnosing PLC, HMI, servo, robotics, vision, and industrial network communication issues.
5. Support root cause investigations related to equipment failures, warranty claims, and customer complaints.
6. Create technical documentation including retrofit instructions, troubleshooting guides, and engineering change notices.
7. Provide remote and on‑site technical support for critical customer issues when necessary.

Manufacturing & Production Support

1. Serve as an engineering resource supporting manufacturing operations at designated production facilities.
2. Provide hands‑on support for equipment, automation, and process‑related issues affecting safety, quality, and productivity.
3. Partner with operations, maintenance, and plant leadership to improve equipment uptime and overall operational performance.
4. Support implementation of equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
5. Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities associated with downtime events and production losses.
6. Provide technical support for capital projects, equipment installations, and commissioning activities.
7. Related tasks as requested by supervisor

Essential Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering required; Mechatronics Engineering or related engineering discipline considered.
• Minimum 5 years of experience designing, supporting, modifying, or upgrading industrial machinery and automated equipment.
• Strong mechanical engineering and machine design experience.
• Experience developing equipment retrofits, rebuilds, modernization projects, or custom machine modifications.
• Working knowledge of industrial controls, PLC‑based automation, HMIs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networks.
• Strong troubleshooting experience involving integrated mechanical and controls systems.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and automation documentation.
• Experience creating engineering documentation, CAD models, drawings, and bills of material.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with packaging machinery, palletizing systems, robotics, or material handling systems (preferred).
• Experience with Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, or similar industrial automation platforms (preferred).
• Experience supporting Fanuc or similar robotic systems (preferred).
• Experience in food, pharmaceutical, packaging, converting, or consumer products industries (preferred).
• Hands‑on technical support, commissioning and startup experience (preferred).
• Lean Manufacturing, Reliability Engineering, or Six Sigma experience (preferred)
• Ability and willingness to travel to customer and manufacturing locations (50-70%)