Mechanical Engineer - Product Development

About the role

As a Product Development Engineer, you will collaborate with innovative 3Mers around the world to lead the mechanical design and development of next-generation automated robotic installation tools from concept through production. This role offers the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and work with some of the most creative minds in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of automated robotic installation tools from concept through production.
• Design precision mechanisms and assemblies using 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks).
• Create mechanical enclosures, components, and assemblies.
• Design for robustness, serviceability, and long-term field reliability.
• Integrate motors, drives, encoders, and sensors into robust mechanical assemblies, collaborating closely with electronics and controls engineers.
• Develop motion and actuation concepts and collaborate on servo/torque-motor and control-system integration (e.g., EtherCAT-based motion).
• Perform engineering analysis — tolerance stack-up, kinematics, structural, thermal, and load studies — to ensure reliable, manufacturable designs.
• Assemble, characterize, calibrate, and troubleshoot mechanical prototypes and engineering builds, integrating with electrical and control subsystems.
• Select and specify mechanical components, materials, and finishes, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Drive product architecture, feasibility studies, prototyping, and engineering verification activities.
• Create mechanical documentation, including detailed drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and design records.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and external development partners to scale designs into production.
• Interact with regulatory teams to ensure compliance with applicable safety and machinery standards.
• Generate intellectual property positions, including invention submissions, patents, and 3M trade secrets.
• Communicate tests and program results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive the development and commercialization of products to efficiently, reliably, and sustainably deliver energy to customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (such as Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering) from an accredited institution, completed and verified prior to start.
• Three or more years’ experience designing electromechanical or automated equipment from concept through prototype and production.
• Three or more years’ experience with 3D mechanical CAD such as SolidWorks and engineering documentation including detailed drawings, GD&T, and BOMs.
• Three or more years’ experience designing mechanisms, motion systems, and precision assemblies, including integration with motors, actuators, sensors, electronics, and system prototyping/troubleshooting.

Qualifications

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed in this role include:

• Master's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Strong exposure to electronics, robotics, and control systems, and their mechanical integration.
• Experience with servo/torque motors, motion control, and encoder/feedback mechanisms.
• Experience with robotics, industrial automation equipment, or autonomous systems.
• Experience with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturing/assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Experience with FEA (structural, thermal, or modal) and design validation.
• Experience integrating machine-vision cameras, optics, and lighting into mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with EtherCAT or other industrial fieldbus and machine-control architectures.
• Familiarity with programming and debugging electronic or control systems.
• Familiarity with safety, machinery, and regulatory standards (CE, UL, ISO 12100).

Schedule

This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Austin, TX. Travel may include up to 15% domestic or international.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is $124,127 - $151,710, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. The specific compensation offered may vary based on factors including relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and experience.

Benefits

This position may be eligible for a range of benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Voluntary benefits
• Paid absences
• Retirement benefits

Additional information is available at 3M Benefits Overview.