What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Design & Fabrication Engineer position at VerQuin Geodetic Engineering (EDWOSB)?
SUMMARY
The Mechanical Design & Fabrication Engineer is responsible for creating and transforming mechanical designs into physical components ready for fabrication, assembly, and field installation. This includes producing and correcting .dxf/.step files for laser cutting, coordinating with fabrication vendors, developing accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs), procuring raw materials, and ensuring all hardware and fabricated parts arrive at VerQuin’s warehouse ready for assembly.
Unlike a purely office-based design role, this position is hands-on. The engineer will participate in field installations, assist with assembly of cGNSS monuments and radar cal/val targets, evaluate design practicality during installation, and relay improvements into revised design documentation.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
MECHANICAL DESIGN (SOLIDWORKS & DOCUMENTATION)
- Design and model cGNSS monument components, radar calibration/validation (cal/val) targets, precision structural bases, enclosures, and mounting assemblies using SolidWorks.
- Develop complete fabrication drawings including dimensions, tolerances, bend allowances, hole callouts, welding notes, and material specifications.
- Generate, review, and correct .dxf cut files for laser cutters ensuring proper scale, layer structure, bend deductions, and manufacturability.
- Create step-by-step assembly instructions and cut lists for both in-house and client installation teams, including:
- Fastener specifications and torque values
- Connection diagrams, hardware schedules, exploded views
- Labeling of critical alignment features for radar cal/val targets
- Maintain updated BOMs ensuring alignment between designs, vendor capabilities, and field-ready configurations.
- Perform structural analysis (ANSYS or equivalent) for wind loads, transport stresses, snow/ice loads, and stability checks.
- Coordinate with subject matter experts and present results to the COO.
- Ability to meet deadlines ahead or on schedule.
VENDOR & FABRICATION COORDINATION
- Coordinate directly with laser cutters, machine shops, fabricators, and coating vendors.
- Submit finalized drawings and .dxf files, confirm feasibility of tolerances, lead times, bend radii, and material thicknesses.
- Review and approve specifications on quotes and shop drawings (not pricing approval).
- Track fabrication progress, QA/QC on incoming parts, and ensure corrections where deviations occur.
- Verify that fabricated parts, coatings, weld procedures, and assemblies match design intent and field installation needs.
PROCUREMENT & MATERIAL MANAGEMENT
- Interpret approved designs and generate material requisition lists.
- Communicate with suppliers to purchase raw materials (stainless steel, aluminum, fasteners, structural tubing, coatings).
- Ensure all received materials match grade, finish, coating, and dimensions with accurate quantities.
- Organize staging of components in inventory to be field-ready.
REVISION CONTROL & CHAIN OF CUSTODY MANAGEMENT
- Establishes and enforces VerQuin’s engineering revision control process for CAD models, .dxf files, drawings, and BOMs.
- Issues Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and Engineering Change Orders (ECO), updates revision tables, and archives superseded versions
- Maintains chain of custody for all external design files and ensures only “Released for Fabrication” documents are provided to vendors.
-Coordinates with vendors and internal teams to ensure outdated drawings are removed from use and replaced with current, approved versions.
- Maintains secure digital storage and traceability of every issued drawing, including timestamp, recipient, and revision number.
FIELDWORK & INSTALLATION SUPPORT
- Travel up to 25% to active installation sites (U.S. and occasionally international).
- Assist hands-on with erecting radar corner reflectors, cGNSS monuments, enclosures, and structural components—not only to observe but to physically participate.
- Record real-time feedback on:
- Fit-up issues, part tolerances, or misalignment
- Hardware conflicts, missing components, or unwieldy designs
- Improvements for modularity, weight reduction, or ease of transport
- Implement updates post-installation to improve future units and client deliverables.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks, especially sheet metal, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
- Experience producing or reviewing laser cut files (.dxf) and BOMs.
- Familiarity with fabrication processes: laser cutting, CNC machining, sheet metal forming, welding, powder coating, plating.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on fabrication or assembly experience.
- 2-3 years of Industry experience preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience designing radar cal/val targets, cGNSS monumentation, or outdoor instrumentation systems.
- Familiar with GD&T, ASME Y14.5, and engineering change control.
- Familiarity with ANSYS or similar FEA tools.
- Experience with field installations, surveying equipment, or infrastructure in harsh environments.
PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Work at a computer for extended periods generating models, .dxf files, and documentation.
- Lift and move parts up to 30–50 lbs (with support for heavier loads).
- Work in varied environments; office, machine shop, fabrication facility, warehouse, or outdoor sites.
- Wear PPE at vendor facilities and job sites (steel-toe boots, gloves, helmets, eye/ear protection).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a valid U.S. passport for international travel.
- Certain assignments may require U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency to comply with federal export-control regulations.
- Ability to pass background and security clearance checks.
- Clean driving record and eligibility for vehicle insurance.
- Ability to work on-site full time.
- Ability to successfully complete four month probationary period.
Employment with VerQuin Geodetic Engineering is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time. VerQuin is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. VerQuin will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California state law. Employment is contingent upon completion of a background check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States.