Location: Skyline Products, Colorado Springs, CO
Department: Mechanical Engineer III
Reports To: Director of Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $80,000 - $120,000 annually, based on experience
Job Requisition: Mechanical Designer (DFM Focus) - Variable Message Sign (VMS) SystemsPosition Summary:We are seeking a Mechanical Designer with strong Design for Manufacturing (DFM) experience to support the development of Variable Message Sign (VMS) systems used in Department of Transportation (DOT) applications. This role will work closely with manufacturing, electrical, and software teams to ensure designs are robust, cost-effective, and optimized for production and field deployment.
Key Responsibilities:- Design and develop mechanical systems and assemblies for VMS products, including enclosures, mounting structures, and environmental protection features
- Apply DFM principles to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, cost, and quality
- Create and maintain 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings using SolidWorks
- Manage design data, revisions, and workflows within PDMWorks, including configuration control and release processes
- Develop and maintain SOLIDWORKS macros and PDMWorks automation tools to efficiently scale product designs (e.g., resizing sign dimensions, updating configurations, and auto-generating drawings/BOMs) while ensuring consistency, reducing manual effort, and maintaining configuration control across product variants
- Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using SOLIDWORKS Simulation to evaluate structural integrity, thermal performance, and stress/strain characteristics of designs, ensuring products meet durability, safety, and environmental requirements prior to release
- Work directly with manufacturing teams to resolve design issues, support builds, and drive continuous improvement
- Support prototype builds, production ramp, and validation testing (environmental and field conditions)
- Collaborate with electrical and software teams to ensure proper integration of system components
- Generate and maintain BOMs, assembly documentation, and work instructions
- Participate in design reviews and implement feedback from cross-functional stakeholders
Required Qualifications:- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Strong experience with SolidWorks (part modeling, assemblies, and drawings)
- Experience using PDMWorks (or similar PDM systems) for revision control and data management
- Demonstrated experience applying Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles
- Experience working directly with manufacturing or production teams
- Strong understanding of materials, fabrication methods (sheet metal, weldments, machining), and assembly processes
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Experience issuing and following through on ECO design changes
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience designing outdoor or industrial products (IP-rated enclosures, thermal management, durability)
- Familiarity with DOT or transportation-related products (e.g., signage, traffic systems)
- Basic understanding of electrical systems, including AC/DC power, UART, and Ethernet integration
- Experience with structural standards, AASHTO's preferred
- Experience supporting production issues, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
- Experience with Computational-Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis in SOLIDWORKS to evaluate airflow and thermal performance of designs
Work Environment & Expectations:- Hands-on collaboration with manufacturing and production teams
- Combination of design work and shop-floor engagement
- Occasional support for field installations or issue resolution
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
