Position Overview
This is a fixed-term, project-focused mechanical design role. Part-time engagement with flexible hours is preferred, although a full-time schedule for the term may be considered for a strong candidate and an appropriate project plan.
The successful candidate will work primarily on an existing, complex automated machine that includes a supporting structure and foundation interface, enclosure framing and panels, multiple mechanical mechanisms, fabricated metal components, purchased components and electromechanical interfaces. The assignment requires understanding the machine as a complete system - not merely revising individual drawings.
This is not a general CAD drafting or cosmetic redesign position. We need an experienced machinery designer who understands the realities of metal fabrication and production and can make sound design-to-cost decisions. Cost reduction must come from intelligent simplification, standardization and better manufacturing design, not from lowering material quality, durability or engineering standards.
Work Arrangement and Local Availability
· The role may be structured as flexible part-time employment or, where justified by the candidate and project schedule, full-time employment for the defined term.
· SolidWorks modelling, drawing preparation, BOM work and documentation may be completed remotely.
· The candidate must reside in Metro Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, and must be able to attend MAZDIS facilities, equipment locations and manufacturer or supplier sites in the Vancouver area when required.
· In-person work will be required for equipment inspection, measurements, design reviews, prototype assembly, fit checks, testing, troubleshooting and production coordination. This is therefore not a fully remote position available outside the region.
· The weekly schedule is flexible, but the selected candidate must be available for agreed meetings and occasional on-site activities during normal business hours.
Primary Project Objectives
· Develop a complete understanding of the existing machine, including the relationship between its structural frame, enclosure, mechanisms, moving components, fabricated parts, purchased components and assembly interfaces.
· Simplify the mechanical architecture and assembly sequence while preserving or improving functionality, safety, reliability, maintainability and service life.
· Reduce the number of unique parts, unnecessary fasteners, difficult welds, machining operations, bends, adjustments and production steps wherever technically appropriate.
· Standardize materials, profiles, sheet thicknesses, hardware and purchased components to improve repeatability, sourcing, inventory control and manufacturing economics.
· Improve access for assembly, inspection, adjustment, maintenance, component replacement and field service.
· Design around practical manufacturing constraints such as tooling access, bend radii, weld access, heat distortion, achievable tolerances, fixturing, finishing, handling, shipping and installation.
· Deliver a production-ready design package that manufacturers can quote, fabricate and assemble accurately and consistently.
Key Responsibilities
· Inspect, measure and reverse-engineer existing equipment, parts and assemblies as required.
· Review the existing mechanical design at the system, subassembly and component levels and identify unnecessary complexity, cost drivers, manufacturing risks, tolerance problems and assembly inefficiencies.
· Create and maintain accurate SolidWorks models for individual parts, weldments, sheet-metal components, mechanisms, subassemblies and complete machinery assemblies.
· Use appropriate SolidWorks methods for large assemblies, configurations, design intent, interference detection, motion/clearance review and controlled revisions.
· Redesign interfaces between parts and subassemblies to improve fit, alignment, repeatability, assembly time and serviceability.
· Apply value engineering, design-to-cost, design for manufacturing and design for assembly principles. Present alternatives with clear technical, cost, durability and risk trade-offs.
· Design fabricated frames, structural supports, sheet-metal enclosures, brackets, guards, covers, shafts, mounts and mechanical mechanisms.
· Prepare production-ready drawings with dimensions, tolerances, materials, finishes, bend data, weld information, fastener requirements, critical characteristics and assembly notes.
· Generate flat patterns and manufacturing files suitable for laser cutting, punching, press-brake forming, rolling, machining, welding and finishing.
· Develop and maintain bills of materials, part numbers, drawing numbers, revision histories and engineering-change documentation.
· Select and integrate appropriate materials, standard hardware, bearings, shafts, gears, chains, belts, motors, actuators, linear-motion components and other purchased items.
· Perform or support tolerance stack-up reviews, basic engineering calculations and structural or motion analysis as appropriate to the design.
· Work directly with manufacturers and suppliers to validate manufacturability, clarify drawings, evaluate quotations and resolve fabrication or production issues.
· Review samples and first-production parts, participate in fit checks and prototype builds, and update designs based on production and test findings.
· Support mechanical assembly, testing, troubleshooting, installation and commissioning activities when required.
· Coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical enclosures, wiring routes, sensors, PLC-controlled elements and software-driven operating sequences.
· Document design decisions, risks, assumptions, test results and recommendations in a clear and traceable manner.
Required Qualifications
· Substantial practical experience designing complex machinery, industrial equipment, automated equipment, robotic systems, material-handling equipment or comparable electromechanical products.
· Advanced professional proficiency in SolidWorks, including parts, large assemblies, sheet metal, weldments, configurations, drawings and bills of materials.
· Strong understanding of machine design and the interaction of structures, mechanisms, moving components, drive elements, actuators, bearings, shafts, fasteners and fabricated assemblies.
· Hands-on knowledge of metal fabrication and production, including laser or plasma cutting, press-brake forming, tube/profile fabrication, rolling, welding, machining, grinding, fixtures, assembly and finishing.
· Ability to design within real production limitations, including bend allowances and radii, tool access, weld access, distortion, achievable tolerances, material availability, inspection requirements and supplier capability.
· Demonstrated experience simplifying designs, reducing manufacturing and assembly cost, and improving repeatability without compromising quality, reliability, safety or product life expectancy.
· Experience preparing complete manufacturing drawing packages and working directly with fabricators, machinists, assemblers or production suppliers.
· Good working knowledge of material selection, corrosion protection, powder coating, galvanizing, stainless steel, aluminum and mild-steel applications.
· Ability to inspect physical equipment and use common measurement tools such as calipers, micrometers, angle gauges and tape measures.
· A degree or diploma in mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, manufacturing engineering, machine design, product design or a related discipline; equivalent directly relevant practical experience will also be considered.
· Strong attention to detail, organized file and revision-control habits, sound engineering judgment and clear written and verbal communication.
· Residence in Metro Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, BC, with reliable ability to attend in-person activities as required.
Preferred Qualifications
· Typically five or more years of directly relevant machinery or equipment design experience.
· Experience with automated parking, robotic machinery, lifting systems, conveyors, indexing systems, material handling or other mechanism-intensive equipment.
· Experience redesigning an existing product for lower cost, easier manufacturing, reduced part count or improved assembly time.
· Experience designing outdoor or semi-outdoor equipment with weather exposure, drainage, sealing, corrosion and long-service-life requirements.
· Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, failure-mode review, basic FEA or SolidWorks Simulation.
· Experience with SolidWorks PDM or another controlled engineering document system.
· Experience supporting prototype builds, first-article inspection, production launch, field installation or commissioning.
· Experience working with both local and international manufacturing suppliers.
· SolidWorks certification such as CSWP or CSWE.
Expected Project Deliverables
· A structured review of the current machine design, including priority technical, manufacturing, assembly and cost issues.
· A practical simplification and cost-reduction plan identifying proposed changes, expected benefits, dependencies and technical risks.
· Updated SolidWorks part, sheet-metal, weldment, subassembly and top-level assembly models.
· Revised manufacturing drawings, bills of materials and engineering-change records suitable for supplier quotation and production release.
· Manufacturing and assembly recommendations, including opportunities for standardization, modularization and process reduction.
· Support for prototype or first-production assembly, testing, issue resolution and final design updates.
What Success Looks Like
· The redesigned machine is easier and faster to fabricate, assemble, inspect, install and maintain.
· Manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced through sound engineering rather than reduced quality.
· The design uses fewer unnecessary parts and operations, with clearer interfaces and more standardized components.
· The released drawings and BOM are complete, consistent and practical for the selected manufacturing process.
· Safety, reliability, durability, structural performance, functional quality and expected service life are maintained or improved.
· Suppliers and assemblers can understand and execute the design with fewer questions, adjustments and production errors.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $30.00-$60.00 per hour
Expected hours: 10.0 – 30.0 per week
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Flexible language requirement:
Experience:
- SolidWorks: 3 years (required)
- Assembly: 2 years (required)
- Fusion 360: 2 years (preferred)
- Manufacturing: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: Remote
