Position Description
Title: Mechanical Systems Engineer
Department: Engineering
Immediate Supervisor: Customer and Aftermarket Service Manager
Status: Exempt
Position Purpose: The Mechanical Systems Engineer is responsible for evaluating, improving, and extending the life of automated machinery through engineered upgrades, rebuilds, retrofits, and modernization projects. This role focuses on developing practical mechanical solutions for existing equipment, supporting obsolescence management, improving machine performance and reliability, and creating robust engineering documentation to support implementation.
The engineer will assess existing machine designs, identify improvement opportunities, and develop mechanical solutions that integrate with automation and controls systems where required. This position works closely with Controls Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to deliver cost-effective modernization solutions.
This is a hands-on engineering role best suited for an individual who enjoys understanding how existing machinery operates and developing creative solutions to improve performance, reliability, maintainability, and safety. The ideal candidate is a strong mechanical designer who thrives in situations where equipment has evolved over time, documentation may be incomplete, and practical engineering judgment is required
Principle Accountabilities
Machine Retrofits & Modernization
Develop mechanical solutions for modifications, upgrades, and modernization of existing automated equipment.
Engineer retrofit packages that improve machine performance, reliability, maintainability, safety, and operational efficiency.
Evaluate existing equipment designs and determine the most effective approach for incorporating new functionality while minimizing unnecessary redesign.
Support obsolescence-driven redesign efforts when components, assemblies, or technologies are no longer available.
Develop modernization solutions that integrate new mechanical technologies with existing machine platforms.
Collaborate with Controls Engineering to ensure successful integration of mechanical and automation system upgrades.
Machine Rebuilds & Redesign
Evaluate existing equipment and determine appropriate mechanical rebuild scope.
Redesign worn, obsolete, damaged, or underperforming components and assemblies.
Develop detailed engineering drawings, bills of materials, specifications, and supporting documentation required for rebuild projects.
Improve existing machine designs to increase reliability, serviceability, manufacturability, and performance.
Support standardization efforts across machine platforms where practical.
Engineering Analysis & Technical Support
Analyze equipment performance issues and develop engineered solutions to improve long-term machine reliability.
Review legacy machine documentation, field feedback, and operational data to identify opportunities for improvement.
Support service and manufacturing teams by providing technical design guidance on retrofit and modernization projects.
Conduct equipment evaluations, field measurements, and site assessments as required to support engineering design activities.
Provide technical recommendations for machine upgrades, component replacements, and design improvements
Engineering & Documentation
Create and revise mechanical drawings, assemblies, layouts, and manufacturing documentation using 3D CAD software.
Develop and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) for retrofit, rebuild, and modernization projects.
Review and interpret legacy drawings and machine documentation to understand existing equipment designs.
Update engineering documentation to reflect approved design improvements and modifications.
Develop engineered solutions that consider manufacturability, serviceability, installation requirements, cost, lead time, and lifecycle support.
Manage engineering documentation and revision control in accordance with company standards.
Related tasks as requested by supervisor.
Essential Skills and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering required; Mechatronics Engineering or related engineering discipline considered.
Minimum 5 years of experience designing, supporting, modifying, or upgrading industrial machinery and automated equipment.
Strong mechanical engineering and machine design experience.
Experience developing equipment retrofits, rebuilds, modernization projects, or custom machine modifications.
Working knowledge of industrial controls, PLC-based automation, HMIs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networks.
Strong troubleshooting experience involving integrated mechanical and controls systems.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and automation documentation.
Experience creating engineering documentation, CAD models, drawings, and bills of material.
Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with packaging machinery, palletizing systems, robotics, or material handling systems (preferred).
Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar industrial automation platforms (preferred).
Experience supporting Fanuc or similar robotic systems (preferred).
Experience in food, pharmaceutical, packaging, converting, or consumer products industries (preferred).
Ability and willingness to travel to customer and manufacturing locations (30%-50%)