DescriptionTitle: S enior Mechanical A utomation Engineer
Department: Tech Center - Product R&D
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Director , Automation & Robotics
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full Time
Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office) : Hybrid
SENIOR MECHANICAL AUTOMATION ENGINEER
Summary
We are currently seeking a Senior Mechanical Automation Engineer to work with our cross-functional business units to design and implement automated and robotic assembly systems for utility scale solar power plant construction.
This position reports to the Director of Automation and Robotics or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate . This position is hybrid for candidates living near a corpora te office Houston, TX req uiring up to four days per week on site. Candidates living outside the commuting distance of an office location will operate as fully remote with occasional travel. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm or from 9 am to 6 pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 20% .
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Essential Jo b Functions and Responsibilities:
- Lead mechanical design of new automation and related solar products from concept through commercialization, applying statics, dynamics, and mechanics principles to solve complex assembly and installation challenges.
- Collaborate with controls engineers, system integrators, and cross-functional and third-party partners to integrate custom and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components (robots, conveyors, drives, sensors) into complex automation systems.
- Develop 3D CAD models and detailed product drawings in SolidWorks.
- Perform structural and stress (FEA) analysis and maintain FMEA, design-verification, and calculation reports, establishing safety factors and ensuring traceability between requirements, design, testing, and compliance evidence.
- Design and execute prototype, system-integration, and validation testing (lab and field, including FAT/SAT); document findings, perform root-cause analysis on failures, and recommend design or process changes.
- Engage field teams and customers to gather prototype feedback, validate design solutions, and prepare installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting documentation.
- Lead or support mechanical workstreams on development programs, tracking milestones, managing design reviews, and communicating technical risks, trade studies, and recommendations to project leadership and cross-functional audiences.
- Ensure designs meet applicable safety and design standards; coordinate third-party certification with test labs and regulatory bodies.
- Apply value engineering and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) practices with manufacturing and supply partners to optimize cost, manufacturability, and field reliability.
- Develop and maintain economic models (cost, logistics, field performance, operations) to support investment and pricing decisions.
- Convert market requirements and competitive/market analysis into mechanical design specifications and product strategy, aligning scope and targets with cross-functional teams.
- Document and protect intellectual property, including invention disclosures, design specifications, and analysis reports, partnering with the IP team on patent and trade-secret strategy.
- As a remote employee, demonstrate the ability to independently manage priorities and deliver project schedules
- Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering , mechatronis, or equivalent (advanced degrees are valued and may be applied to the professional experience requirements)
- 7 + years' experience in mechanical or mechatronics engineering , including at least 3 years in product development, R&D, or design engineering.
- 5 + years' experience with mechanical CAD and analysis tools (SolidWorks, Ansys, or equivalent)
- Ability to solve complex engineering problems using applied mechanics, stress analysis, and system modeling, including mathematical derivations and numerical methods.
- Working knowledge of industrial automation and control architecture (motion control, PLC/drive systems, sequencing, safety-rated controls) and experience with system-level integration and testing of multi-component mechanical/electromechanical systems, including designing and executing validation protocols.
- Familiarity with relevant engineering standards and codes (e.g., OSHA 29 CFR 1910, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, UL 1740) and experience supporting or managing third-party certification processes.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to cross-functional teams and senior leadership, in both written and verbal formats.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet schedules, escalate risks proactively, and work effectively in remote/distributed team settings.
Preferred Qualifications
- Solar or utility-scale energy industry experience; familiarity with solar tracker systems, PV module assembly, field-deployment equipment, and single-axis solar tracking mechanics/control principles.
- Design and development of robotic assembly systems or related automation.
- Experience with mobile or field-deployable equipment: understanding of logistics, field setup, transportation, and operational support requirements for equipment deployed across multiple sites.
- Experience with design-for-manufacturing (DFM), lean manufacturing principles, or value-stream mapping to optimize designs for cost and manufacturability.
- Demonstrated ability to own a technical domain and serve as subject-matter authority on cross-disciplinary projects.
- Experience managing vendor relationships and integrating COTS subsystems into larger products; comfort navigating supplier quality, lead times, and technical-support constraints.
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
- Travel: up to 20% as needed
EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Regular professional, office business setting
- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department
