Senior Mechanical Designer

Senior Mechanical Designer

About SPM Automation

SPM Automation develops advanced plastic joining and custom automation solutions for leading global manufacturers. Proudly based in Windsor, Ontario, our expertise spans laser, infrared, hot plate, vibration, and ultrasonic welding bringing together applied science, machine design, and intelligent controls to solve demanding production challenges for customers around the world.

We build more than machines - we build long-term customer partnerships. By working closely with customers to understand their products, processes, and goals, we turn complex manufacturing problems into practical innovations that improve quality, productivity, and reliability.

At SPM, you can make a direct contribution and see the results. Our researchers, designers, controls specialists, and machine builders work side by side, connecting ideas and engineering decisions to equipment on the shop floor and performance in customers’ facilities.

As we grow, we are investing in our people and strengthening how we work by sharing knowledge, developing technical capability, and continuously improving our processes. We are looking for people who take pride in their craft, bring curiosity to difficult problems, and want to help customers and teammates succeed.

The Opportunity

Design it. See it built. Help make it better.

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Designer who wants to own the outcome - not just complete the design.

You will lead the mechanical design of plastic welding machines and industrial automation equipment within agreed customer requirements, project scope, schedules, and engineering-hour budgets. Your involvement will extend from machine concepts and customer reviews through detailed design, assembly support, debugging, and equipment validation.

Working directly with engineering colleagues and the technicians building the equipment, you will turn design concepts into practical, reliable machines. You will also provide project-level design leadership, mentor colleagues, and help improve the tools and processes we use from one project to the next.

This full-time, on-site position is based in Windsor, Ontario, and reports to the Mechanical Engineering Manager. The role provides technical and project leadership but has no direct reports.

See Our Work

Laser-Focused on Innovation — Design Engineering
https://www.design-engineering.com/features/laser-focused-on-innovation/

Festo & SPM Automation: Designing Smarter Production Together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2p4RkEMB3Q

Key Responsibilities

Machine Design and Technical Ownership

• Develop machine concepts, layouts, and operating sequences based on customer specifications, process requirements, and project scope.

• Use SolidWorks to develop complete 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and equipment plans, including associated tooling, processing units, fixtures, and end-of-arm tooling.

• Establish technical design objectives and priorities within the direction provided by the Mechanical Engineering Manager.

• Develop safe, practical, manufacturable, and serviceable designs supported by appropriate mechanical calculations, component selection, material selection, and tolerance assessments.

• Coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical, controls, pneumatic, and process requirements.

• Review and check engineering drawings for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with project requirements before submission for approval.

• Create, review, and maintain accurate bills of materials for purchasing and production.

• Maintain controlled drawings, design revisions, and supporting technical documentation.

Project Execution and Design Quality

• Complete assigned designs within specified project timelines and budgeted engineering hours.

• Monitor design progress and communicate technical risks, scope changes, resource requirements, and potential delays early.

• Work with Project Management to develop and present machine concepts to customers for review and approval.

• Participate in structured design reviews to confirm requirements and resolve risks before design release.

• Apply design-for-manufacture and assembly principles to improve equipment quality, accessibility, reliability, and cost.

• Work directly with mechanical and electrical technicians to ensure equipment quality, functionality, and constructability.

• Resolve design-related issues during assembly, debugging, and validation, and support customer acceptance and installation activities as required.

• Capture lessons learned and incorporate improvements into future designs and reusable machine modules.

Technical Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Provide design direction, support, and guidance to team members involved in assigned projects.

• Coordinate and review team members’ design work, monitoring progress against project milestones and escalating issues to the Engineering Manager.

• Mentor designers through constructive reviews, practical problem solving, and knowledge sharing.

• Document design intent and help maintain consistent design practices across the team.

• Use and help develop AI-assisted tools and workflows to improve documentation, knowledge sharing, design consistency, and repetitive engineering tasks.

• Collaborate with process and controls specialists on equipment and customer-facing improvements, including AI-enabled features where relevant.

• Use approved AI tools responsibly, protect company and customer information, and verify outputs before relying on them for engineering decisions.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or an engineering technology diploma from an accredited university or college.

• At least five years of relevant industry experience with substantial mechanical design experience in industrial production equipment, custom automation, or special-purpose machinery.

• Demonstrated ability to lead the design of complete machines or substantial machine systems from concept through detailed design and build support.

• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, including complex assemblies, detailed drawings, and bill-of-materials development.

• Strong computer, mathematical, and mechanical problem-solving skills, including engineering calculations, component selection, and tolerancing.

• Good working knowledge of applicable industry and engineering standards and machinery-safety requirements.

• Strong understanding of engineering materials, their applications, and relevant manufacturing processes.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver accurate work within demanding project schedules and engineering-hour budgets.

• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to explain design decisions and collaborate effectively with customers and technical teams.

• Demonstrated curiosity and initiative in applying AI and digital tools, with the ability to evaluate their outputs critically.

• Willingness and ability to travel within Canada and the United States.

Preferred

• Experience designing plastic welding equipment or tooling for laser, infrared, hot plate, vibration, or ultrasonic processes.

• Experience with pneumatic systems, servo-driven mechanisms, and automated assembly equipment.

• Experience supporting equipment debugging, customer acceptance testing, or installation.

• Experience mentoring designers and coordinating project-level mechanical design activities.

• Experience with AI-assisted workflows, scripting, CAD automation, or low-code tools.

What Success Looks Like

During your first year, you will be expected to:

• Independently lead assigned mechanical design packages from concept through release and build support.

• Deliver designs that meet customer specifications, agreed schedules, and engineering-hour budgets.

• Identify and resolve technical risks before they become assembly or commissioning problems.

• Produce accurate, checked drawings, bills of materials, and supporting documentation.

• Provide effective technical guidance and help team members meet project milestones.

• Contribute reusable designs, documented lessons learned, and practical workflow improvements, including appropriate AI-assisted tools.

Why Join SPM?

• Complete-project involvement: See your work progress from an initial concept to functioning equipment.

• Direct technical impact: Work closely with customers and build teams, with a clear connection between your decisions and equipment performance.

• Canadian roots, global reach: Build your career in Windsor while contributing to projects for international manufacturers.

• Collaborative technical teams: Work alongside experienced researchers, designers, controls specialists, and machine builders.

• Professional growth: Expand your technical leadership, mentor colleagues, and deepen your knowledge across automation and joining technologies.

• Opportunity to improve: Help strengthen design standards, reusable solutions, and project-execution practices as SPM grows.

Position Details

Employment: Full-time, on-site
Reporting to: Mechanical Engineering Manager

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We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds and value the different perspectives and experiences they bring.

Accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available on request throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada by their employment start date.

Please apply through the application link provided.

Do not include confidential information or proprietary materials belonging to a current or former employer.