Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Electronic Test Automation
Location:
Palo Alto, CA (100% Onsite)
Duration:
6-Month Contract
Schedule:
Standard business hours (8:00am–5:00pm or 9:00am–6:00pm)
Pay Range:$62–$70/hour
Hours:~40 hours/week (1-hour non-billable lunch; potential OT based on business needs)
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design and development of mechanical test automation systems for vehicle electronics. This role focuses on creating modular, scalable test fixtures and automated systems supporting design characterization, validation, and high-volume manufacturing environments.
This is a 100% onsite role.
Key Responsibilities
- Design modular, reusable mechanical fixtures for testing vehicle electronics, evolving from manual bench-top setups to fully automated production systems
- Partner with cross-functional engineering teams to define mechanical test requirements and improve ECU testability
- Design custom mechanical interfaces for ECUs, including pogo-pin and bed-of-nails probing solutions
- Develop rack-based test systems optimized for scalability, reduced complexity, and faster build times
- Create and release detailed drawings, BOMs, specifications, diagrams, and SOPs
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors during procurement, station build, integration, and commissioning
- Provide technical oversight to vendors manufacturing mechanical components and systems
- Work closely with technicians to communicate requirements and ensure correct implementation
Required Qualifications
- BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience
- 5+ years of experience designing modular mechanical hardware for test automation systems (R&D through high-volume manufacturing)
- Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred; Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, ProE acceptable)
- Experience with electronics testing, probing, and harnessing technologies (e.g., mass interconnect solutions such as VPC, specialty probes such as Ingun)
- Ability to read electrical schematics, navigate PCB layouts, and interpret component datasheets
- Hands-on experience integrating automated test equipment in manufacturing environments
- Background in automotive, semiconductor, or aerospace industries
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with vehicle communication protocols (CAN, CAN FD, DoIP, Automotive Ethernet, LIN)
- Experience with automation instrumentation (programmable power supplies, DMMs, multiplexers, signal analyzers, signal generators, multifunction DAQ devices)
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