Mechanical Engineer, R&D AutomationRole Overview
CreateMe is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our R&D engineering team and help design, build, debug, and improve the industrial equipment that makes our systems work.
This is a hands-on mechanical engineering role focused on automation, manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, mechanisms, and early process development. It is not a consumer electronics or product-enclosure design role. You will spend your time designing machines and machine modules, prototyping mechanisms, supporting builds, troubleshooting equipment, and helping turn early R&D concepts into practical manufacturing processes.
Responsibilities
- Design mechanical systems, assemblies, fixtures, tooling, machine modules, and prototype equipment for automated manufacturing applications.
- Develop concepts, CAD models, detailed drawings, BOMs, tolerance schemes, and design documentation for parts and assemblies that will be built, tested, and iterated quickly.
- Work hands-on with prototypes and production-intent equipment: assemble, test, debug, measure performance, identify failure modes, and drive design improvements.
- Support early-stage process R&D by helping design experiments, build test setups, evaluate process windows, capture learnings, and translate promising concepts into more robust equipment designs.
- Collaborate closely with controls, software, manufacturing, process, quality, and technician teams to integrate mechanical designs into full automation systems.
- Design for reliability, serviceability, manufacturability, safety, operator usability, and repeatable production performance - not just for proof-of-concept function.
- Create practical engineering documentation, including drawings, test plans, setup notes, assembly guidance, troubleshooting notes, and design rationale.
- Work with internal teams and outside vendors/machine shops to fabricate, inspect, modify, and improve mechanical components and assemblies.
- Participate in equipment bring-up, pilot builds, validation runs, and production-readiness work by helping diagnose mechanical, process, material, and integration issues.
- Take ownership of well-scoped mechanical design projects while learning to handle larger system-level scope over time.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Significant relevant mechanical design experience, ideally involving automation equipment, industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, robotics, test equipment, fixtures, tooling, or electromechanical systems.
- Strong CAD skills and ability to create clean, buildable mechanical designs, drawings, and assemblies.
- Working knowledge of mechanical design fundamentals, including mechanisms, structures, motion, tolerancing, materials, fasteners, bearings, shafts, sensors/actuators interfaces, and manufacturable part design.
- Hands-on experience building, testing, debugging, or improving physical hardware - including prototypes, fixtures, machines, or production equipment.
- Ability to reason from first principles, identify root causes, and iterate designs based on test data, machine behavior, operator feedback, and build-floor observations.
- Comfort working in an R&D environment where requirements may be incomplete, designs change quickly, and practical experimentation is part of the job.
- Clear written and verbal communication, especially around design intent, tradeoffs, risks, test results, and next steps.
- Strong ownership, curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to spend time with the equipment to understand what is actually happening.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
- Experience with automated manufacturing systems, custom equipment, machine design, robotics, material handling, web/soft-goods handling, textile/garment manufacturing, or other industrial automation environments.
- Experience designing pneumatic, vacuum, servo/linear-motion, belt/roller, fixture, end-effector, or sensor-integrated mechanical systems.
- Familiarity with DFM/DFA, GD&T, tolerance analysis, FEA, machine safety, design reviews, design validation, or equipment commissioning.
- Experience working with machine shops, sheet metal, machined parts, 3D printing, welded structures, purchased mechanical components, and vendor-fabricated assemblies.
- Exposure to PLCs, controls, robotics, vision systems, data collection, or software-controlled equipment.
Working at CreateMe- Stay healthy and happy through our comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, life and disability coverage, and supplemental health and wellness benefits and perks.
- Save for the future with our 401(k) retirement program.
- Take time away from the office through our Flexible Paid Time Off program.
- Be an owner! CreateMe's equity program offers the opportunity to own stock in the company that we're building together.
- Learn and grow through formal and informal learning opportunities, and a culture of feedback and development as you grow your talent and career.
This role is onsite in Newark, CA and is not eligible for relocation assistance.
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship; candidates must have full authorization to work in the United States.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED RESUMES FROM STAFFING AGENCIES OR THIRD-PARTY RECRUITERS. 
