Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – Automation Systems

Zobility; Romeo (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Zobility is seeking a hands-on Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and development of automation and manufacturing systems. The role entails overseeing the entire system lifecycle from concept to production, ensuring designs meet quality and safety standards.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 5–10 years of experience, with strong mechanical design capabilities and proficiency in CAD. There is a focus on collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to drive successful implementations.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in mechanical design, automation, or manufacturing systems.
• Proven experience managing complete system design from concept to production.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical system design and integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the complete system design lifecycle from concept development through production launch.
• Develop mechanical designs for automation equipment and integrated systems.
• Collaborate with Controls/Electrical Engineering teams for integration.

Skills

Mechanical design expertise

Automation solutions

CAD design

Prototyping and validation

System integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

We are seeking a hands‑on Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the end‑to‑end design and development of complex automation and manufacturing systems. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives on technical ownership and has a proven track record of taking systems from initial concept through design, prototyping, validation, and successful production implementation.

The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical design expertise, experience designing complete automation solutions, and the ability to define technical direction while working closely with manufacturing, controls, electrical teams, suppliers, and project stakeholders.

This is a highly technical individual contributor role for someone who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges and staying deeply involved in design execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the complete system design lifecycle from concept development through production launch
• Own system architecture, engineering decisions, technical execution, and design outcomes
• Develop mechanical designs for automation equipment, assemblies, and integrated systems
• Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and engineering documentation
• Design and integrate:
• Conveyor systems and belt drives
• Pick‑and‑place mechanisms
• Fixtures and tooling
• Mechanical and electro‑mechanical assemblies
• Drive prototype development, testing, validation, and design improvements
• Collaborate with Controls/Electrical Engineering teams for system integration
• Partner with Manufacturing, Suppliers, and Project Teams to ensure successful implementation
• Ensure designs meet performance, cost, quality, safety, and manufacturability requirements
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and optimize existing systems

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 5–10 years of experience in mechanical design, automation, manufacturing systems, or related engineering roles
• Proven experience owning complete system design and delivery from concept to production
• Strong background in automation equipment or manufacturing environments
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical system design and integration
• Ability to develop overall technical concepts and translate them into detailed designs
• Strong CAD design experience with complex assemblies and mechanisms
• Experience with prototyping, validation, troubleshooting, and production implementation
• Ability to work independently with strong technical ownership

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of motion systems, actuators, sensors, and controls integration
• Experience working with suppliers and manufacturing teams during product launch
• Strong problem‑solving skills with a practical, hands‑on engineering approach