About this role
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Machine Design and Automation Position Summary
Ricoh's Boulder R&D group designs and builds automation and robotics systems for industrial print and manufacturing applications. This is a hands-on mechanical design position within a multidisciplinary development team that includes software, controls, machine vision, and AI/ML engineers. Mechanical and electromechanical design is the focus of this role, and the hardware developed here frequently forms the basis for the software, machine vision, and AI/ML work that builds on it.
Current programs include:
- A growing robotics and factory automation practice deploying collaborative robot cells, pick-and-place systems, and material handling for external customers
- Continuous-feed inkjet inspection platforms and their expansion across the automation product roadmap
- A renewable energy program supporting next-generation solar cell manufacturing
The role spans the full design cycle: defining requirements, concept development, prototyping, build, debug, and production hardware. Projects frequently begin with a problem description rather than a written specification. This is a senior individual contributor position, and the successful candidate is expected to contribute technically from the outset.
Responsibilities
- Develop mechanical and electromechanical designs from concept through production hardware
- Design end-of-arm tooling, grippers, base frames, guarding, and pneumatic systems for robotic and automated cells
- Design sheet metal, machined, and fabricated components, including DFM and direct coordination with fabrication and machine shops
- Scope and deliver bespoke, single-purpose automation builds, including defining the requirements and carrying the design through to working hardware
- Specify and integrate motion systems, actuators, sensors, and pneumatics, including component sizing and cycle time analysis
- Design industrial control cabinets and panel layouts, cable routing, and harnessing
- Design optical and imaging fixtures, including lighting, motion, and alignment, for inline inspection systems
- Produce manufacturing-ready documentation: 3D CAD, electrical schematics, BOMs, assembly and work instructions, and test protocols
- Coordinate with software and controls engineers on system integration, including motion and vision triggers, sensor interfaces, and PLC and robot controller communication
- Build, wire, and debug prototypes in-house, and support installation and commissioning
- Support safety and certification activities, including risk assessment, Performance Level analysis, CE marking, EMC/LVD/RoHS, and US NRTL paths
- Visit customer sites as required to define requirements and support deployments
Required Qualifications
- BS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience
- 8+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and hands-on technical work
- Demonstrated record of delivering multiple complex machines or electromechanical products from concept through working hardware as a principal contributor
- Direct, hands-on experience fabricating, assembling, wiring, and debugging mechanical and electromechanical assemblies, with working proficiency in a shop environment
- Sound judgment in selecting manufacturing and joining methods appropriate to one-off and low-volume builds: machining, sheet metal, weldments, extruded aluminum framing, fastening, and additive
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or equivalent) and detailed 2D drawings with GD&T
- Sheet metal and machined part design, including DFM for bending, machining, and assembly, with direct fabrication shop experience
- Hands-on experience with end-of-arm tooling and gripper design, pneumatics, motion systems, and sensors
- Design practice that accounts for assembly, service access, and long-term maintainability
- Strong systems-level thinking, with the ability to manage concurrent projects in a fast-moving R&D environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Industrial electrical experience: control cabinet layout and build, panel wiring, schematic interpretation, and sensor and actuator wiring
- Bespoke or single-unit automation experience, including integrator-style builds and purpose-built machines for a single customer or process
- Background in precision equipment or converting industries: inkjet, semiconductor, thin film, web handling, roll-to-roll, packaging, or label finishing
- Robotics integration experience with collaborative robots (Universal Robots, Fanuc, or comparable), including cell layout and safety configuration
- Field service, commissioning, or installation experience
- Product certification experience: CE/UKCA, UL/CSA/NRTL, EMC pre-compliance, and EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230
- Machine vision hardware integration, including cameras, lighting, lensing, and calibration
- Contract manufacturing transfer, including documentation packages, quality systems, and production handoff
- Shop skills such as welding, machining, or fabrication
- Interest in developing applied software capability. The team works in Python and C++ and uses AI-assisted engineering tools. This is not a requirement for the position.
Competencies
- Effective written and verbal communication with both technical and non-technical audiences
- Collaborative working style, including sharing work in progress and incorporating peer feedback
- Comfortable engaging directly with customers to understand and define requirements
- Able to work productively from incomplete or ambiguous requirements
- Adaptable to shifting priorities across concurrent programs
Prior experience in the printing industry is not required. Training will be provided.
Position Details
- On-site in Boulder, Colorado. Relocation assistance is available.
- Travel up to 15% for customer visits, deployments, and industry events.
- Candidates will be asked to review examples of machines or equipment they have designed as part of the interview process.
Working Conditions, Mental and Physical Demands
Cope with stressors and demands that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable and defined levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained. (While all jobs involve dealing with stressors, the particular stressors may vary job to job).
Work in areas which adhere to state and federal regulatory standards, or where no such standards exist, to nationally accepted guidelines; i.e., dust, fumes, physical and chemical agents.
Adaptable and flexible to work environment including, but not limited to, out of town travel as required to meet business commitments and working overtime, as business needs may require, handling multiple tasks concurrently, and easily adapting to new assignments, systems, tools; produce clear, concise, accurate written communication, clearly conveying thoughts and ideas to peers, management, and customers; establish and maintain positive work relationships with peers, management, and customers, displaying willingness to understand diverse points of view; learn and apply new equipment and tools within an acceptable timeframe; and assume ownership of assignments, completing commitments on time. (While all of these continuing responsibilities apply to all jobs in the company, the specific ways in which they apply may vary job to job).
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job.