Design Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW

• At Southco we are looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer having 5-7 years of experience with a strong background in kinematics and mechanical linkages, Cam, Gears, Sheet metal, die casting product design and development to join our engineering team.
• The ideal candidate will have hands on experience in designing, analyzing, and optimizing multi-body mechanical systems, mechanisms, and motion-transfer assemblies for high-performance products. This role requires deep expertise in translating functional motion requirements into robust, manufacturable mechanical designs.
• The successful candidate will take ownership of the complete end-to-end product development cycle, from concept generation through production release, while driving the design and validation of complex mechanical systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, model, and analyze mechanisms including kinematic linkages, cam, gear, four-bar/slider-crank systems, and multi-axis motion systems.
• Perform kinematic and dynamic calculations for position, velocity, acceleration, and force/torque using analytical methods.
• Translate product requirements into detailed mechanical designs, including linkage layouts, motion envelopes, and load paths.
• Develop 3D CAD models, assemblies, and detailed 2D drawings using GD&T for manufacturing and procurement using UG NX.
• Conduct tolerance stack-up analysis for linkage assemblies to ensure functional performance across manufacturing variation.
• Lead requirement mapping, regulatory compliance screening, material selection, design effort estimation, and Mechanical BOM preparation.
• Moderate DFM/DFA and work closely with suppliers/vendors for tooling and production readiness.
• Spearhead Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
• Troubleshoot mechanical interface discrepancies and fitment issues, and roll out verified engineering changes.
• Provide design validation support and root-cause analysis.
• Participate actively in PPAP and SOP support activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Coordinate physical builds and bench testing of experimental prototypes to qualify target kinematics, longevity, and fatigue.
• Create and maintain design documentation, calculations, and simulation reports.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors or masters in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics.
• 5–7 years of design experience in an engineering industry, with a strong focus on kinematics, linkages, and motion mechanisms.
• Proven experience designing multi-bar linkages, four-bar mechanisms, slider-crank systems, cam-follower systems, or similar motion-transfer assemblies, gears, and sheet metal.
• Proficiency in UG NX for 3D modeling, assembly design, and 2D drawing preparation.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM/DFA principles.
• Knowledge of engineering materials.
• Exposure to the end-to-end product development cycle, change management, IATF 16949, and ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with prototyping methods, testing protocols, and design validation processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex mechanical motion issues.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Initiative-taking, team-oriented, result-driven, flexible, and able to succeed in a fast-paced, multi-project growth environment.