Mechanical Vision Engineer

Actalent; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Mechanical Vision Engineer to design precision mechanical assemblies for industrial machine vision systems and integrate cameras, optics, and related hardware into automated equipment.

The role spans concept through testing, prototyping, validation, and manufacturing release with emphasis on manufacturability, reliability, and long-term system performance. Collaboration with mechanical, electrical, optical, and automation teams is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience with optical machine vision in automated environments.
• Hands-on experience with industrial cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, lighting, and strobed illumination.
• Minimum 2 years of mechanical design for precision assemblies in manufacturing or automation.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD tools for detailed models and drawings.
• Experience integrating vision hardware into complex electromechanical systems.
• Background in automation, robotics, or semiconductor equipment is a plus.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and tolerance analysis including stack-ups.
• DFM/DFA experience for sheet metal, machined parts, and aluminum extrusions.

Responsibilities

• Design precision mechanical assemblies for machine vision systems, including camera mounts, fixtures, illumination, enclosures, and alignment mechanisms.
• Support integration of cameras, optics, lighting, sensors into automated equipment and electromechanical platforms.
• Participate in design activities from concept through prototype, validation, and manufacturing release.
• Perform tolerance stack-up analysis and apply GD&T to ensure robust, manufacturable designs.
• Develop designs with DFM/DFA considerations for sheet metal, machined parts, and extrusions.
• Create and maintain drawings, BOMs, ECOs and design records.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, optical, and automation issues and support root-cause investigations.
• Collaborate with suppliers to evaluate components and finalize production-ready designs.
• Work with cross-functional teams to integrate vision systems into machinery, robotics, or semiconductor tools.
• Support prototype builds, design reviews, and manufacturing release activities.

Skills

Optical machine vision

Camera integration

GD&T tolerance analysis

DFM/DFA

Mechanical design

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

3D CAD

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Mechanical Vision Engineer Job Description

The Mechanical Vision Engineer designs and develops precision mechanical assemblies for industrial machine vision systems and integrates cameras, optics, and related hardware into automated equipment. This role participates in the full product lifecycle, from concept and design through testing, prototyping, validation, and manufacturing release, with a strong focus on manufacturability, reliability, and long‑term system performance. The engineer collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams and suppliers to resolve mechanical, optical, and automation issues and to ensure production‑ready solutions for advanced machine vision and automation applications.

Responsibilities

• Design precision mechanical assemblies for industrial machine vision systems, including camera mounts, optical fixtures, illumination assemblies, protective enclosures, and alignment mechanisms.
• Support the integration of cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, lighting, sensors, and other vision hardware into automated equipment and complex electromechanical platforms.
• Participate in design activities throughout the product lifecycle, including concept development, detailed design, testing, prototype builds, validation, and manufacturing release.
• Perform tolerance stack‑up analysis and apply GD&T principles to ensure robust, manufacturable designs that meet performance, assembly, and reliability requirements.
• Develop designs with a strong emphasis on design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA), considering sheet metal, machined parts, aluminum extrusions, and tooling.
• Create and maintain comprehensive engineering documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), engineering change orders (ECOs), and related design records.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, optical, and automation‑related issues in machine vision and automated equipment, and support root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with suppliers to evaluate components, refine mechanical and optical designs, and ensure components and assemblies are ready for production.
• Work closely with internal engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, optical, and automation engineers, to integrate vision systems into automated machinery, robotics, semiconductor tools, or manufacturing equipment.
• Support prototype builds, design reviews, and manufacturing release activities, ensuring that designs transition smoothly from development to production.
• Consider thermal aspects in mechanical design where applicable, particularly for equipment involving high‑power lighting or thermally sensitive optical components.
• Manage multiple design tasks and projects simultaneously while communicating progress, risks, and technical issues clearly across engineering teams.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of practical experience developing or integrating optical machine vision systems within automated or industrial environments.
• Hands‑on experience working with industrial cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, machine vision lighting, and strobed LED illumination.
• Minimum of 2 years of mechanical design experience focused on precision mechanical assemblies for manufacturing or automation applications.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D mechanical design tools for creating detailed models and drawings.
• Experience integrating cameras, optics, sensors, and illumination systems into complex electromechanical or automation equipment.
• Background working with automated machinery, robotics, semiconductor equipment, manufacturing systems, or similar industrial platforms.
• Strong understanding and practical application of GD&T and tolerance analysis, including performing tolerance stack‑ups.
• Experience with design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) for sheet metal parts, machined components, aluminum extrusions, and associated tooling.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills, with exposure to electromechanical, optical, or automation systems.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects, and manage competing deadlines in a dynamic engineering environment.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with cross‑functional engineering teams and suppliers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with thermal considerations and thermal analysis in mechanical design, particularly for systems involving lighting and sensitive optical components.
• Prior experie