Mechanical Designer, Senior

Job Summary Responsible for leading product and feature innovation for heavy-duty strapping and packaging automation machinery. This role combines standard order execution as well as Research & Development – translating ambiguous market or customer needs into concrete technical specifications. The ideal candidate takes proactive, end-to-end ownership of the development lifecycle, driving custom order design and balancing projects that begin with “blue-sky” conceptualization to realistic, executable designs. A successful designer in this role embraces a growth mindset, prioritizes curiosity in testing to discover failure points, and balances deep subsystem detail with a holistic understanding of complex electromechanical systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Required to work in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with company Health and Safety and other Policies

Lead “blue-sky” ideation sessions and progressively narrow the scope to realistic, executable, and cost-effective machine designs.

Translate unclear, unknown, or evolving internal customer requirements into robust, actionable technical specifications.

Independently drive projects forward, proactively gathering information and anticipating roadblocks rather than waiting for complete direction.

Dive deep into the details of mechanical, sensing, pneumatic, and hydraulic subsystems while maintaining complete awareness of how they integrate into the full electromechanical system.

Design and execute prototyping and testing protocols explicitly focused on stress-testing and finding out where and why a design fails, rather than merely proving it works under a narrow set of ideal conditions.

Formulate heavy-duty machine design in CAD using efficient, reliable, and manufacturable processes – Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA).

Collaborate proactively with Applications Engineering during the RFQ phase to develop preliminary concept models and conduct technical feasibility analyses.

Identify, document, and communicate high-level technical unknowns and potential design risks during the quoting phase to ensure accurate scoping prior to order receipt.

Facilitate a seamless, comprehensive transfer of custom machine concepts, risk assessments, and technical specifications to Mechanical Design (Manufacturing/Operations) once an order is secured, ensuring a smooth transition from innovation to execution.

Specify, source and qualify all purchased mechanical, electromechanical, sensing, pneumatic, and hydraulic components.

Compile Sequence of Operations, I/O List, Pneumatic BOM and Valve Bank Layouts, working closely with assigned programmers and controls team members to ensure seamless system integration.

Respond to questions from machine shop and assembly during the build phase, and work closely with machine builders throughout the integration and test phase.

Review marked‑up drawings, update the complete drawing package, check and release the BOM to Purchasing, and store data according to Samuel standards.

Act as a technical leader and mentor to Junior and Intermediate level Mechanical Designers, fostering a culture of curiosity, resilience, and teamwork.

Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skill, Ability)

Demonstrated growth mindset; highly adaptable, eager to learn, and resilient in the face of complex design challenges.

Advanced understanding of heavy-duty machine design within the automation space, with deep knowledge of electromechanical system interactions.

Exceptional ability to navigate the unknown, solve practical problems, and deal with concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively with cross‑functional team members, shop floor personnel, and internal customers.

Must be highly creative, possess strong mechanical aptitude, and be able to visualize and think in 3 dimensions.

Ability to proficiently use CAD platforms (SolidWorks) and current office computer software.

Autonomy and Authority

Work as a fully qualified professional driving innovation autonomously. Takes absolute ownership of projects within broad R&D guidelines as well as customer order execution.

Responsible for the architectural design of complete innovative lines or standalone automation machines.

Will guide, monitor and inspire the work of other engineers or technical staff collaborating on innovation projects.

Provides strategic input to management regarding the evolution of company product lines, technical standards, and next‑generation designs.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Technologist Diploma.

Minimum of 10 years of Mechanical Design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to automation, heavy machinery, or R&D/New Product Development.

Valid Passport and driver’s license may be required, as well as the ability to travel to customer sites both locally and internationally.

Special Requirements (physical demands and work environment) The employee occasionally will spend time in an environment where they are exposed to medium to high noise levels and where safety glasses and safety shoes are essential.

The expected compensation range for this position is $78,720-$108,240. This range includes base pay and target variable pay. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and experience. We also consider internal equity to ensure fair and consistent pay practices. This range reflects the expected full compensation range for the role; most offers will fall within the range and not at the maximum in order to allow for future growth.

Samuel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In the United States, we utilize E-Verify.

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