Senior Mechanical Engineer – Automation

Location: Liberty, South Carolina
Job Type: Contract
Schedule: Full-Time | 40+ Hours per Week
Experience: 5+ Years

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and development of custom automated machinery and manufacturing systems.

This position will be responsible for mechanical engineering deliverables throughout the full project lifecycle—from initial concept and design through build, debug, installation, and commissioning.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in SolidWorks, machine design, and industrial automation and is comfortable taking ownership of projects while working closely with customers, engineers, builders, controls teams, and other technical disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of custom automated machinery and equipment.
• Develop detailed 3D models, assemblies, and mechanical designs using SolidWorks.
• Manage mechanical engineering responsibilities from concept through final design, build, debug, and commissioning.
• Design automation equipment, tooling, fixtures, machine structures, guarding, and mechanical assemblies.
• Apply sound engineering principles to complex machine design challenges.
• Participate in and lead mechanical design reviews.
• Review and critique drawings and designs completed by other engineers and designers.
• Work collaboratively with Controls, Robotics, Electrical, Manufacturing, and Project Management teams.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet project specifications, schedules, budgets, and customer requirements.
• Identify design issues and develop practical solutions during machine build and debug.
• Interface directly with customers during design development and project execution.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to developing engineers and designers.
• Support equipment installation, startup, and commissioning as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering efficiency, safety, standardization, and overall workflow.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional Mechanical Engineering or Machine Design experience.
• Strong SolidWorks 3D modeling and mechanical design experience.
• Experience designing custom automated machinery, assembly equipment, or manufacturing systems.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and machine design.
• Ability to independently manage mechanical engineering responsibilities for complex projects.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving mechanical design issues during machine build and debug.
• Ability to review and provide technical direction on the work of other engineers and designers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Associate degree from an accredited engineering or technical program combined with significant relevant experience may also be considered.
• Previous experience within the industrial automation, machine building, automotive automation, or systems integration industry.
• Additional CAD experience with Creo, NX, or AutoCAD.
• Experience designing automated assembly equipment, material handling systems, tooling, fixtures, or robotic automation.
• Previous experience mentoring or leading mechanical engineers and designers.
• FE/EIT certification is a plus but not required.

Travel

Approximately 5% travel may be required, including occasional overnight or international travel.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior-level mechanical engineer who can take an automation project from concept through commissioning. You should be comfortable owning designs, solving complex machine-design problems, working directly with customers, and helping guide less-experienced engineers.

Candidates with strong SolidWorks and custom automation/machine design experience are highly encouraged to apply.