Mechanical Design Engineer – Custom Automation

Cullerton Group is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer – Custom Automation to support the design and development of custom automated manufacturing equipment, special-purpose machinery, and automated assembly systems.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on mechanical design experience, with the ability to translate customer requirements into practical, reliable machine designs. This individual should be capable of developing equipment concepts, creating detailed 3D CAD models, selecting mechanical components, and supporting projects through fabrication, assembly, testing, and commissioning.

Location: Richmond, Indiana

Employment Type: Contract

Work Arrangement: Onsite initially; potential remote flexibility after approximately 6 months

W2 Pay Rate: $43–$58/hour

C2C Pay Rate: $53–$70/hour

The engineer will initially work onsite in Richmond, Indiana, to become familiar with established engineering standards, manufacturing capabilities, and design processes. Potential remote flexibility may be considered after approximately six months based on performance and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Design custom automated manufacturing equipment, special-purpose machinery, and automated assembly systems from concept through detailed engineering.
• Develop 3D CAD models, mechanical assemblies, fabrication drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and engineering documentation.
• Design machine frames, mechanical mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, robotic end-of-arm tooling, and material handling systems.
• Select and integrate motors, actuators, bearings, linear motion components, and pneumatic/hydraulic systems.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
• Collaborate with controls engineers, machinists, toolmakers, and equipment assembly teams.
• Support equipment fabrication, assembly, troubleshooting, testing, validation, and commissioning.
• Resolve mechanical design challenges involving alignment, motion, repeatability, and equipment performance.
• Independently complete mechanical design assignments while following established engineering standards.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional mechanical design experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience designing custom automation equipment, special-purpose machinery, or complex mechanical assemblies.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD software.
• Experience developing mechanical designs from initial concept through detailed engineering and equipment build.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical mechanisms, actuators, bearings, linear motion systems, and pneumatic/hydraulic components.
• Experience creating manufacturing drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation.
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, machining, fabrication, and mechanical assembly.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical equipment and resolve design-related issues.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Ability to work onsite in Richmond, Indiana during the initial onboarding period.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience working for a custom automation machine builder, OEM, or systems integrator.
• Experience designing automated assembly equipment, robotic workcells, precision tooling, or special-purpose machinery.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, startup, factory acceptance testing (FAT), or commissioning.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage mechanical design projects.

Why Join This Opportunity?

• Work on challenging custom-engineered automation projects.
• Design complete mechanical systems from concept through equipment build.
• Collaborate with experienced engineering, machining, fabrication, and assembly teams.
• Competitive hourly compensation.
• Potential remote flexibility after approximately six months, subject to performance and business requirements.

Interested?

Apply through LinkedIn to learn more about this opportunity with Cullerton Group.