LocationThis role is onsite 5 days/week onsite in our
South East PA shop
Role overviewAs a Machine Designer on the Implementation team, you will be the mechanical design authority behind Standard Bots' custom automation solutions. You'll take customer requirements and site survey data and transform them into fully engineered cell layouts, end-of-arm tooling, custom fixturing, and fabrication-ready drawing packages - while collaborating closely with Automation Engineers from project kickoff through successful customer handoff. You're comfortable leading design reviews with internal engineers and presenting CAD models directly to customer manufacturing teams. You hold yourself to high standards on precision, manufacturability, and documentation clarity.
What you'll doMechanical Design & Engineering- Create 3D models and detailed fabrication drawings for robotic automation cells, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), custom fixtures, machine guards, and structural support using SolidWorks
- Design to manufacturing constraints for sheet metal, welded fabrications, and machined components
- Manage bills of materials (BOMs) for sourcing and procurement
- Apply GD&T; principles to ensure designs are manufacturable, inspectable, and repeatable across production runs
- Conduct FEA on structural and load-bearing components to validate safety margins before releasing drawings to fabrication
Cell Layout & Integration Design- Develop full 3D cell layout models that account for robot reach envelopes, collaborative safety zone clearances, operator access paths, and equipment footprint
- Define and document EOAT specifications, interface plates, quick-change systems, and tool change architectures in coordination with Automation Engineers
- Collaborate on I/O routing, pneumatic manifold placement, cable management, and sensor mounting within the mechanical assembly design
- Review installation sequences and identify design-for-assembly improvements that simplify field deployment
Customer-Facing Design Support- Present concept designs, CAD models, and layout drawings to customer operations and engineering teams for review and approval
- Incorporate customer feedback and site constraints - including ceiling height, floor load ratings, aisle clearances, and existing equipment interfaces - into design iterations
- Produce complete, accurate as-built documentation packages upon project handoff, including drawings, BOMs, and design notes
Design Standards & Continuous Improvement- Build and maintain a reusable component library of standard fixturing elements, EOAT components, quick-change tooling, and cell design building blocks
- Define and enforce internal design standards, drawing templates, revision control protocols, and file management procedures
- Identify recurring design challenges and propose standardized solutions that reduce engineering time on future projects
What you'll bring- 3-5 years of hands-on CAD design experience in an industrial automation, robotics integration, or custom manufacturing environment
- Portfolio of completed automation or equipment designs taken from concept through fabrication and installation
- Demonstrated experience designing EOAT, fixtures, or custom automation components for collaborative or industrial robots
Technical Skills- Expert proficiency in SolidWorks; familiarity with AutoCAD for 2D layouts and wiring diagrams
- Strong GD&T; knowledge and experience creating production-ready drawing packages for external fabrication shops• Design experience across common manufacturing processes: sheet metal, welded structural steel, machined parts, and 3D-printed components
- Familiarity with robotic reach envelopes, collaborative safety zone requirements, and machine guard design standards
- Experience selecting and specifying off-the-shelf automation components: pneumatic actuators, quick-change tool changers, linear rails, force/torque sensors, and vision system mounts
- Working knowledge of electrical conduit routing, cable management, and pneumatic line placement within mechanical assemblies
Soft Skills & Mindset- Meticulous attention to detail
- Collaborative, communicative, pragmatic, and fast-moving
- Self-directed with the ability to manage your own project workload
Nice to have- SolidWorks certification
- Experience with robot simulation or offline programming tools (e.g., RoboDK, DELMIA, or similar) for verifying reach and clearance in 3D environments
- Background in machine tending, palletizing, welding automation, or assembly applications
- Familiarity with ANSI and CE machine safety design requirements
- Experience designing for regulated industries
- OSHA courses or equivalent manufacturing safety training
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design Technology, or equivalent practical experience
Compensation and BenefitsThe salary range for this role is $80,000 to $130,000. We are open to a variety of seniority levels for this role and will build compensation packages that are commensurate with seniority and skill level. Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at Standard Bots. All Full-Time Employees are eligible for Employee Stock Options. We also offer a package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees.
