Custom Machine Design Engineer Level lll

Title: Custom Machine Design Engineer lll

Company: Trinity Employment Specialists

Location: San Antonio, TX (On-site)

Salary Range: $119,691 - $140,679 / Annually

Job Summary:

Trinity Employment Specialists is seeking a Custom Machine Design Engineer to lead the design, procurement, and commissioning of custom machinery, including CNC winders and electrically, hydraulically, or mechanically driven systems. Responsibilities include full lifecycle design, fabrication, installation, startup, and troubleshooting of specialized equipment. Proficiency in SolidWorks and AutoCAD is required for detailed fabrication drawings with precise tolerances and manufacturability. Experience with automation, PLC systems, hydraulics, and DFM—including motor sizing, gearbox and shaft sizing, and bearing selection—is highly desirable.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead custom machine design projects, optimizing equipment performance and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with product design engineers to define specifications and manufacturing methods.
• Prototype new equipment or processes to support production.
• Translate performance requirements into detailed specifications for equipment and processes.
• Analyze and optimize layouts, industrial processes, and equipment placement.
• Recommend process and equipment improvements using current technologies and best practices.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers for automation integration.
• Design test equipment and procedures to evaluate product performance and reliability.
• Manage vendor relationships for component sourcing, fabrication, machining, and assembly.
• Prepare and approve technical packages, including drawings, BOMs, data sheets, specifications, and calculations.
• Estimate costs, prepare bids, and manage budgets and schedules to ensure on-time, on-budget project delivery.
• Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of machines to meet specifications.
• Investigate operational issues, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and reports.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• 5–10 years of experience in custom equipment design, ideally in composite manufacturing.
• Full project or machine system ownership from concept to commissioning.
• Independent project execution with minimal supervision.
• Expertise in FEA, tolerance stack-ups, and material selection.
• Approves design and procurement decisions and reviews others’ work.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and SolidWorks for fabrication drawings and BOMs.
• Experienced with shop fabrication, machining, hydraulics, automation, PLC systems, DFM, structural/thermal calculations, and tolerance analysis.
• Experience with composite, plastic, or sheet metal design preferred.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Dependable and proactive in communication and work continuity.
• Applies logical, evidence-based problem-solving and sound judgment.
• Active listener who incorporates feedback to improve design outcomes.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and proposes technically justified improvements.
• Manages complex engineering problems with multiple constraints.
• Self-manages projects, resources, and timelines while leading technical aspects with minimal supervision.

Technical Competencies:

• Read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and reports.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in 2D/3D CAD design with AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Experience with FEA, material selection, structural/thermal calculations, and tolerance analysis.
• Knowledge of shop fabrication, machining, hydraulics, automation, PLC systems, and DFM.
• Familiarity with composite/nonmetallic, plastic, or sheet metal product design.

Other: Occasional evening, weekend, overnight, and international travel required.

* Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

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