Mechanical Engineer

Quick Facts

• Role: Mechanical Engineer (automotive-grade connected-device products)
• Focus: Connector and ruggedized waterproofing design; lead NPI through production ramp
• Key activities: CAD/2D drawings, validation, failure analysis, design-for-manufacturing, supplier collaboration, and travel for NPI/field issues

Description

Lead mechanical design and NPI execution for automotive-grade connected-device products, translating requirements and field-use conditions into design inputs, validation plans, and production-ready hardware. Own connector and waterproofing design end-to-end, develop cable harnesses and interconnects, and resolve technical issues using testing and failure analysis. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners to deliver products that meet objectives and support mass production.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and NPI execution from early requirements and concepts through detailed design, validation, manufacturing readiness, and production ramp
• Deliver detailed part and system designs, CAD models, drawings, and design documentation from concept through mass production
• Own connector and waterproofing design, including automotive-grade connector selection/customization, terminals, retention features, cable exits, overmolds, gaskets, O-rings, vent membranes, connector caps, and ruggedized enclosure interfaces
• Develop cable harnesses and interconnects: wire/terminal selection, crimp requirements, material and gold plating spec, shielding, grounding, bend-radius control, strain relief, routing, and supplier manufacturing requirements
• Resolve mechanical design issues and lead failure analysis and corrective actions for connector, harness, sealing, and structural failures
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (industrial design, EE, RF, antenna, camera, audio, manufacturing, quality) and suppliers to make tradeoffs across performance, reliability, cost, and schedule
• Manage mechanical design schedules, supplier milestones, technical risks, and provide hands-on support during NPI builds at manufacturing partner sites
• Travel as needed to offshore factories for NPI builds and production readiness, and to customer sites for critical field issue investigation
• Support design for manufacturability and process validation for injection-molded plastics, sheet metal, die casting, machining, and joining/sealing processes
• Create and review 2D drawings with GD&T, datum schemes, CTF dimensions, material/finish callouts, and inspection requirements; perform tolerance stack analysis and support CPK, FAI, SPC, and process capability

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 8+ years of automotive mechanical product and mounting design experience with hands-on NPI execution
• 8+ years of product validation experience (shock/drop, cycle, vibration, environmental testing)
• 8+ years of 3D CAD experience; proficient with Creo/Pro/ENGINEER or comparable mechanical CAD
• Experience designing waterproof enclosures and connector interfaces for harsh environments and validating to IP67/IP69K
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack analysis (worst-case and statistical methods)
• Familiarity with USCAR, SAE, ISO 16750, IEC 60529, IEC 60068, or OEM-specific requirements
• Knowledge of FMEA, tooling, and material/process validation including SPC, Cp, and Cpk; ability to define CTF dimensions and support FAI and supplier process capability
• Strong design-for-manufacturing experience (injection-molded plastics and tooling; plus sheet metal, die casting, machining, and related supplier processes)
• Analytical problem-solving skills (8D, Six Sigma, DOE, or similar)
• Ability to travel internationally for NPI support and critical field issue investigation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across global, cross-functional teams

Benefits

• Health, pharmacy, optical and dental care benefits
• Paid time off and sick time off
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• 401k contribution
• Base compensation range: $140,000–$190,000 USD (restricted stock units may apply for certain roles)