Principal Mechanical Design Engineer (DFx/NPI)

Our client is a pioneering robotics company dedicated to developing cutting-edge automation solutions. Their mission is to enhance operational efficiency through intelligent robotic systems, and we are seeking a talented Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to drive manufacturability, reliability, and scalability in our clients product designs.

As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be a technical leader ensuring our robotic products are designed for excellence in manufacturability, assembly, reliability, testability, and cost-efficiency. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, to optimize designs for high-volume production and seamless new product introductions (NPI). The ideal candidate has extensive experience in robotics or complex electromechanical systems and a deep understanding of DFM and NPI best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives for robotic systems, ensuring seamless transition from design to production.

• Define and drive best practices for manufacturing process development, design validation, and quality control.

• Optimize designs for cost-effective, high-yield, and scalable production, collaborating with engineering, operations, and suppliers.

• Conduct design reviews, failure mode analyses (DFMEA/PFMEA), and risk assessments to enhance product robustness and reliability.

• Work closely with contract manufacturers and suppliers to align design specifications with production capabilities.

• Provide technical leadership in prototype builds, validation testing, and troubleshooting design issues.

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product performance, manufacturing yield, and cost reduction.

• Develop and enforce best practices for component selection, supply chain risk mitigation, and long-term reliability.

• Mentor and guide junior engineers in DFM/NPI principles and manufacturing processes.

• Travel occasionally to supplier sites and manufacturing facilities for support and collaboration.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• 8+ years of experience in NPI, DFM, or manufacturing engineering, preferably in robotics, automation, or complex electromechanical systems.

• Proven leadership experience in bringing products from concept to high-volume manufacturing.

• Deep expertise in design for manufacturability, assembly, testability, and reliability.

• Extensive experience working with contract manufacturers, PCB assembly, and mechanical fabrication processes.

• Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and reliability testing methodologies.

• Proficiency in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools and documentation processes.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to troubleshooting and design validation.

• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.