Senior Mechanical Engineer (Sustaining)

Nordson Corporation; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordson Industrial Coating Systems is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design, development, validation, and lifecycle support for complex mechanical systems in EPS products. You will apply advanced engineering principles, mentor engineers, and collaborate across functions to deliver reliable, cost-effective solutions.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, design for manufacturability, and hands-on problem solving, with travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in design, development, and sustainment.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and product lifecycle management.
• Experience with automation systems, sensors, controls, and integrated electromechanical products preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, validation, implementation, and lifecycle support of complex mechanical systems and assemblies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and other team members.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and commercial teams to define requirements and deliver integrated solutions.
• Lead projects from concept through commercialization, coordinating resources and managing risks.
• Drive product and process improvements through root-cause analysis, testing, and corrective actions.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

SolidWorks

Mechanical design

CAD proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SAP

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Mechanical Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for the design, development, validation, and lifecycle support of complex mechanical systems and subsystems for EPS products. This role applies advanced engineering expertise and sound judgment to solve complex technical challenges, drive product improvements, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, performance, and regulatory requirements. Working with minimal supervision, the Senior Mechanical Engineer leads projects and key engineering initiatives, collaborates across multidisciplinary teams, and provides technical guidance to engineers and other functional partners. This position influences product strategy, manufacturing effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and business performance through innovative engineering solutions and continuous improvement efforts.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, validation, implementation, and lifecycle support of complex mechanical systems, components, and assemblies for EPS products.
• Apply advanced engineering principles and sound judgment to solve complex technical challenges, evaluate alternatives, and develop innovative solutions that improve product performance, reliability, quality, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical resource across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, service, and commercial teams.
• Lead engineering projects and key workstreams from concept through commercialization, establishing technical direction, identifying risks, coordinating resources, and ensuring successful execution of project objectives.
• Drive product and process improvements through root cause analysis, design reviews, data analysis, testing, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to define requirements, evaluate technologies, and deliver integrated solutions that align with customer needs and business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and other team members, promoting knowledge sharing, engineering best practices, and continuous professional development.
• Partner with manufacturing and operations teams to support product launches, production readiness, product transfers, supplier qualification activities, and ongoing operational excellence initiatives.
• Lead verification and validation activities to ensure products meet performance, quality, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Support strategic customers and resolve complex product issues by analyzing multiple sources of information, balancing technical and business considerations, and recommending effective solutions.
• Influence engineering standards, product strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives through industry knowledge, market awareness, and application of engineering best practices.
• Build consensus among stakeholders and effectively communicate complex or sensitive technical information to diverse audiences across the organization.
• Ensure the accuracy and completion of engineering documentation, including specifications, drawings, test plans, risk assessments, engineering changes, and product lifecycle records.

Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in product design, development, and sustainment.
• Demonstrated success leading complex technical projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD platforms.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, customer-facing engineering activities, and product lifecycle management.
• Experience troubleshooting complex equipment and production-related issues.
• Experience working with strategic customers and resolving technically challenging field performance issues preferred.
• Experience with automation systems, sensors, controls, and integrated electromechanical products preferred.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems, preferably SAP, preferred.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, design methodologies, and product development processes.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems using analysis from multiple sources of information and competing requirements.
• Strong project leadership and technical decision-making capabilities.
• Knowledge of industry trends, competitive technologies, and engineering best practices.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and work effectively across multiple functions and organizational levels.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical reviews.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, design for manufacturability (DFM), Bills of Materials (BOMs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and product lifecycle management.
• Ability to work independently within broad objectives while exercising sound engineering judgment and accountability.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Office environment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear, occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms; requires close vision ability. Noise level is usually moderate.

Travel Required Minimal Estimated 10-20%

At Nordson, we believe that anything is possible. We empower our global team of employees to engineer, manufacture, and market innovative products and systems that are essential to everyday life. These differentiated products and systems are used for precision dispensing and processing and serve a variety of end markets, including packaging, transportation, medical, and electronics. Founded in 1954, we are guided by our values of integrity, respect for people, customer passion, energy, and excellence. We care for our employees and provide them with opportunities to advance their careers and make an impact, inside and outside of work. Nordson is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, and has direct operations in more than 35 countries to support our products and systems with application expertise and a direct global sales and service organization.