Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

About the role

ATC Automation is seeking a hands-on and innovative Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the mechanical development of custom automation machinery and tooling systems at our Simi Valley, CA location. Remote opportunities may be considered for highly qualified candidates, with occasional travel required to the Simi Valley facility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of custom automation systems, mechanisms, and components
• Establish and maintain best practices, design standards, and continuous improvement initiatives for mechanical engineering processes
• Integrate both standard and custom automation components, including robotics, actuators, sensors, and vision systems
• Ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget while coordinating progress with Project Managers and cross-functional teams
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and manufacturing-ready 2D drawings for fabrication and assembly
• Mentor junior engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, and quality oversight
• Provide hands-on support during equipment build, testing, and commissioning activities
• Design, build, and evaluate mechanical prototypes to validate concepts prior to production deployment
• Collaborate closely with controls and software engineers to ensure seamless system integration
• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors to maintain component quality, compatibility, and delivery schedules
• Partner directly with customers to refine project requirements and ensure successful system performance
• Support onsite equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization activities as needed

Requirements

• Proven success in custom automation and machine design environments
• Strong ability to size, specify, and integrate automation peripherals such as actuators, sensors, and vision systems
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software
• Extensive knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, and tolerancing standards (Y14.5M-2009)
• Strong understanding of mechanical components, materials, and manufacturing processes including machining, welding, and sheet metal fabrication
• Working knowledge of controls and automation system fundamentals
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience designing custom automated machinery
• Experience specifying and troubleshooting pneumatic systems and related components
• Expertise in designing fixtures, jigs, and custom tooling for precision automation and assembly applications
• Preferred Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field
  • 10+ years of experience in mechanical design within custom automation, machine building, or related industries
  • Familiarity with compliance standards including CE, NFPA 79, and SEMI S8
  • Hands-on experience troubleshooting and improving automated machinery performance
  • Experience specifying and integrating machine vision equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting, filters, and mounting systems

Skills

• Ability to work continuously in both standing and seated positions
• Frequent standing, walking, pushing, pulling, overhead reaching, and bending
• Occasional lifting or exerting force up to 50 pounds
• Frequent exerting force between 10 and 25 pounds
• Consistently exerting up to 10 pounds of force to move objects
• Visual acuity for close-detail work, with or without accommodation
• Monitoring and interpreting machine sounds for troubleshooting and diagnostics, with or without accommodation

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Time Off

Pay

A competitive annual salary range of $120,000 to $140,000

Schedule

Full-time, with occasional travel to the Simi Valley facility