Senior Mechanical Engineer – Automation & Applications

CKC Automation, LLC; Benicia (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

Job summary

CKC Automation, LLC in Benicia, CA seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Applications & Automation to bridge engineering and business impact. You will quote and estimate ~50% of time, and lead mechanical design through build and customer acceptance for custom automation solutions.

You will own scope, risks, and cost across the lifecycle, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful delivery on site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 7-10+ years of experience in custom automation, special machinery, or engineered-to-order equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in applications engineering, quoting, or estimating.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Strong understanding of machine design and mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and fabrication methods.
• Experience with material selection and cost drivers.
• Proven ability to develop accurate cost estimates and technical scopes.
• Experience leading projects and mentoring engineers.
• Hands-on experience supporting builds, debugging, and resolving real-world issues.
• Background in robotics, motion control, pneumatics, or mechatronics.
• Strong decision-making skills with a high level of accountability and ownership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead concept development, feasibility analysis, and system architecture for custom automation solutions.
• Develop detailed scopes of work aligned to customer requirements and technical constraints.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates (materials, labor, fabrication, assembly, engineering hours).
• Identify technical risks, assumptions, and gaps in proposals.
• Partner with sales and leadership to deliver competitive, technically sound solutions.
• Ensure continuity by owning and executing projects you quote.
• Lead mechanical design of custom automation equipment (concept through release).
• Define system architecture and design strategy across projects.
• Perform/review advanced engineering calculations (stress, motion, tolerance, thermal).
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, safety, and manufacturability.
• Provide technical expertise and mentorship to engineers.
• Own scope, risk, cost, and execution across the full project lifecycle.
• Identify and resolve design, manufacturability, and performance issues.
• Support build, assembly, debugging, and system integration on the floor.
• Drive change management and cost/scope control.
• Lead customer design reviews and technical discussions.
• Serve as primary technical point of contact.
• Collaborate with controls engineering, electrical, manufacturing, and project management teams.
• Support FAT, SAT, installation, and post-delivery troubleshooting.
• Improve quoting accuracy, design standards, and engineering processes.
• Develop technical documentation and best practices.
• Drive improvements in cost, reliability, and performance.

Skills

Mechanical design

SolidWorks

Cost estimation

Project leadership

Robotics

Mechatronics

Accountability

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

CKC Automation, LLC in Benicia, CA seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Applications & Automation to bridge engineering and business impact. You will quote and estimate ~50% of time, and lead mechanical design through build and customer acceptance for custom automation solutions.

You will own scope, risks, and cost across the lifecycle, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful delivery on site.