Mechanical Engineer AlpHa Measurement Solutions | Transmitter Platform Program
OPPORTUNITY AlpHa Measurement Solutions recognizes the need to build a next-generation liquid sensing transmitter platform to serve water quality, oil and gas, and industrial process markets, including Class I Division 2 (C1D2) hazardous location environments.
This program will deliver a family of loop-powered 4-20mA transmitters with Modbus RTU (RS-485) digital output, HART compatibility as a roadmap item, and a future IIoT/wireless expansion path, across general-purpose and Class I Division 2 (C1D2) hazardous location variants. AlpHa is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to own the physical design of the platform, from enclosure architecture and thermal management to sealing, cable management, and field-serviceability.
The Mechanical Engineer will work as a peer to the Firmware and Hardware/Systems Engineers on the core platform design team. The right candidate combines hands-on design execution with the rigor required for industrial certification, taking concepts from sketch to validated mechanical assembly.
Our global headquarters is conveniently located in Houston at the southwest intersection of I-69 and Sam Houston Tollway, just north of Sugar Land.
This individual will report to the Sr. Director of Product Engineering.
Classification: Salaried/Exempt, Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and as required to maintain business momentum.
JOB DESCRIPTIONPosition Summary The Mechanical Engineer will own all physical design aspects of the transmitter platform, from enclosure architecture and thermal management to sealing, cable management, and field-serviceability. This role sits within the Product Engineering team and works in close coordination with the Firmware and Hardware/Systems Engineers. The engineer will take concepts from sketch to validated mechanical assembly, ensuring designs meet IP67/IP68 ingress protection requirements, C1D2 enclosure standards (FM, UL, CSA), and AlpHa manufacturing targets.
Essential Functions Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:
Enclosure and Housing Design - Design, iterate, and release 3D models and 2D drawings for transmitter housings, mounting assemblies, and field-installable accessories using SolidWorks or equivalent CAD.
- Create detailed fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, and BOMs.
- Specify and qualify enclosure materials for chemical compatibility, UV resistance, and IP67/IP68 performance in water quality, wastewater, and petrochemical environments.
- Develop conduit entry, cable gland, and connector interface designs compliant with C1D2 wiring requirements per NEC Article 501 and ATEX/IECEx equivalents where applicable.
- Manage drawing releases, revision control, and BOM maintenance in the AlpHa PLM/ERP system.
C1D2 and Certification Support - Work directly with FM Approvals, UL, and/or CSA certification bodies to prepare mechanical documentation packages for C1D2 hazardous location listings.
- Ensure enclosure designs satisfy temperature code (T-code) requirements based on internal heat dissipation analysis.
- Evaluate mechanical compatibility of candidate platform assemblies with AlpHa sensor probe interfaces.
- Identify and resolve mechanical design issues flagged during certification audits.
Thermal and Environmental Engineering - Perform or commission thermal analysis (hand calculation or FEA) to validate component temperatures remain within rated limits across the operating range (-20 to +60 deg C ambient).
- Design gaskets, O-ring grooves, and sealing interfaces to meet IP67/IP68 targets through simulation and physical validation testing.
- Specify potting, conformal coating, and other environmental protection approaches for internal PCBAs in coordination with the Hardware/Systems Engineer.
Prototyping, Testing, and Manufacturing Readiness - Build and manage a physical prototype program from 3D-printed proof-of-concept through machined or injection-molded pre-production samples.
- Write and execute mechanical qualification test plans covering drop, vibration, ingress protection, and thermal cycling per IEC 60068 or equivalent.
- Collaborate with contract manufacturers to ensure designs are producible at target cost and volume, and lead DFM reviews.
- Support PPAP and ECO processes as designs transition to production.
Required Key Competencies - Functional/Technical Skills: Possesses the SolidWorks 3D/2D CAD, GD&T, sealing, material selection, and thermal modeling depth to own the physical transmitter platform from concept to validated assembly.
- Manages Complexity / Problem Solving: Diagnoses sealing failures, thermal margins, environmental stress defects, and hazardous area compliance issues through disciplined testing and engineering analysis.
- Plans and Aligns: Scopes, schedules, and executes the physical prototype build stages-from 3D-printed proof-of-concept through machined/molded pre-production samples-to hit program milestones.
- Optimizes Work Processes: Manages drawing releases, revision control, BOM structures, and PPAP/ECO workflows with rigor within PLM and ERP systems.
- Collaborates / Peer Relationships: Partners seamlessly across disciplines with Firmware and Electrical Engineers, while coordinating effectively with tooling suppliers, contract manufacturers, and certification bodies.
- Drive for Results: Consistently delivers certifiable, robust, and cost-effective enclosure designs under tight development timelines without compromising qualification rigor.
Required Qualifications and Experience - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
- 3+ years of product development experience with industrial or field-deployed hardware.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks strongly preferred with PDM), with GD&T competency and the ability to produce production-ready 2D drawings.
- Working knowledge of IP sealing standards (IEC 60529) and environmental test methods.
- Experience supporting UL, FM, CSA, or CE mechanical certification for industrial enclosures.
- Familiarity with cable and conduit entry requirements for classified hazardous area equipment.
- Knowledge of Composites including DFM injection molding
- Understanding and execution of DFM/DFA
Preferred Qualifications - Experience with C1D2 or Zone 2 classified enclosure design and listing.
- Exposure to submersible or wet-environment sensor probe design (materials compatibility, pressure-rated housings).
- Background in plastics injection molding, die casting, or other volume manufacturing processes relevant to enclosure fabrication.
- Familiarity with ATEX/IECEx standards for international market expansion.
- Experience with PLM systems (Arena, Windchill, or similar) for drawing and BOM control.
WORKING CONDITIONS This role is performed in a combination of office, laboratory, and bench/prototype environments at AlpHa. The Mechanical Engineer works day-to-day with the Firmware and Hardware/Systems Engineers on the transmitter platform design team and interfaces regularly with the Product Manager and operations. Field engagement with AlpHa customers and certification agency engineers is expected at key program milestones, and occasional travel to customer sites, certification labs, or contract manufacturing facilities may be required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
