SolidWorks Design Engineer – Automated Machine Design

Location: Farmington, CT

Job Type: Direct Hire

Salary: $100,000+ annually, based on experience

About the Opportunity

Superior Skilled Trades is partnered with a company specializing in precision gaging and dimensional measurement solutions to identify an experienced SolidWorks Design Engineer – Automated Machine Design for a Direct Hire Opportunity in Farmington, CT. This position is ideal for a hands-on mechanical design professional with at least five years of experience designing custom automated machinery, mechanical assemblies, and precision equipment using SolidWorks. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing custom machinery and automated inspection systems used in advanced manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop custom automated machinery, mechanical assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and precision gaging equipment using SolidWorks.
• Translate customer requirements and engineering concepts into detailed 3D models, assemblies, manufacturing drawings, and production-ready designs.
• Develop mechanical systems for automated inspection, dimensional measurement, part handling, positioning, sorting, and process control applications.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), assembly drawings, and design revisions.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, machining, and assembly teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, reliable, and cost-effective.
• Select and integrate mechanical components, including bearings, linear guides, actuators, pneumatic components, sensors, and other industrial automation hardware.
• Support prototype development, equipment assembly, troubleshooting, testing, and design validation.
• Evaluate existing designs and identify opportunities to improve machine performance, measurement accuracy, repeatability, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
• Apply mechanical engineering principles, dimensional tolerancing, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure precision and functional performance.
• Work with internal stakeholders to resolve design challenges and support projects from initial concept through final implementation.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and ensure designs meet customer specifications, quality requirements, and manufacturing standards.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional mechanical design experience using SolidWorks.
• Demonstrated experience designing automated machinery, custom machines, mechanical equipment, or complex electromechanical assemblies.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks 3D modeling, assemblies, detailed drawings, and design documentation.
• Experience taking mechanical designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, testing, and final implementation.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, tolerances, fits, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Experience designing custom fixtures, tooling, machine components, or production equipment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical solutions to complex mechanical design challenges.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality designs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing automated inspection equipment, precision gaging systems, or dimensional measurement solutions.
• Familiarity with pneumatic systems, actuators, sensors, motors, and other industrial automation components.
• Experience with machine vision, optical inspection, or automated measurement technologies.
• Understanding of CNC machining, precision manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly processes.
• Experience developing custom machinery for high-precision manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with equipment commissioning, troubleshooting, and design validation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented mechanical design professional who enjoys developing custom machinery and solving complex engineering challenges. They should be comfortable working hands-on with engineering and manufacturing teams, translating concepts into functional designs, and supporting equipment through the full development lifecycle. Candidates with a background in automated machine design, custom equipment development, precision mechanical assemblies, or automated inspection systems are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Details

Location: Farmington, CT

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Compensation: $100,000+ annually, depending on experience

Experience Level: 5+ years of mechanical design experience

Primary Software: SolidWorks

If you have a strong background in SolidWorks and automated machine design and are looking for an opportunity to develop custom mechanical solutions in a precision manufacturing environment, we encourage you to apply.