Mechanical Vision Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Vision Engineer Job Description
The Mechanical Vision Engineer designs and develops mechanical components, fixtures, tooling, and automated equipment used in machine vision and inspection systems. This role focuses on creating robust, manufacturable designs using SolidWorks, supporting the full product lifecycle from concept through prototype, testing, validation, and implementation. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to integrate cameras, optics, lighting, and other machine vision components into mechanical systems, while maintaining high-quality engineering documentation and ensuring reliable product performance.
Responsibilities
- Design mechanical components, assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and automated equipment for machine vision and inspection systems.
- Develop concepts, detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs) using SolidWorks.
- Apply GD&T, perform tolerance analysis, and execute design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) activities.
- Support prototype builds, first-article assembly, testing, validation, and troubleshooting of mechanical designs.
- Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes to ensure reliable mechanical performance under real-world operating conditions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to support new product development and product improvement initiatives.
- Create, maintain, and update engineering documentation, including drawings, BOMs, engineering change orders (ECOs), and design records.
- Support integration of cameras, optics, lighting, sensors, and other machine vision components into mechanical systems and assemblies.
- Design or support automated equipment, machinery, robotics, electromechanical systems, fixtures, and test equipment.
- Contribute to R&D activities and product development efforts, including fixture design and automated equipment design.
- Work hands-on with prototypes, test fixtures, assemblies, and first-article builds in both CAD and lab environments.
- Participate in design reviews, validation testing, and preparation for manufacturing release.
- Perform mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving to resolve design, assembly, and performance issues.
- Consider thermal, vibration, motion, and other operating conditions in mechanical designs to ensure robust performance.
- Design sheet metal, machined components, tooling, and fixture assemblies as needed for product and equipment development.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- 2+ years of mechanical design engineering experience.
- Strong hands-on SolidWorks experience creating 3D models, assemblies, drawings, and engineering documentation.
- Daily or regular use of CAD tools, preferably SolidWorks, for mechanical design work.
- Experience designing mechanical parts, assemblies, fixtures, tooling, or automated equipment from concept through testing and implementation.
- Proficiency in creating, modifying, and interpreting engineering drawings.
- Knowledge of GD&T, dimensioning, tolerancing, tolerance stack-ups, and design documentation.
- Experience with tolerance analysis and application of GD&T to ensure proper fit and function.
- Experience supporting product development, R&D, fixture design, automated equipment, machinery, or electromechanical systems.
- Experience with DFM and DFA, supporting designs from concept through prototype, testing, and implementation.
- Experience working with automated equipment, industrial machinery, medical device, defense, semiconductor, or similar technical products.
- Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work hands-on with prototypes, test fixtures, assemblies, and first-article builds.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills for working in cross-functional engineering teams.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Exposure to camera systems, optics, lighting, sensors, lenses, or machine vision integration is preferred but not required.
- Experience supporting machine vision systems or optical inspection equipment.
- Experience supporting automated test systems or semiconductor equipment.
- Experience with thermal, vibration, or motion-related mechanical design considerations.
- Experience designing systems exposed to vibration, motion, or changing operating conditions.
- Experience with prototype builds, design reviews, validation testing, and manufacturing release.
- Experience designing sheet metal, machined components, tooling, or fixture assemblies.
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline is a plus.
Work Environment
This is an onsite role in the San Diego area within a collaborative engineering environment focused on advanced machine vision and automated equipment development. The position involves close interaction with multidisciplinary teams working on technical products such as automated equipment, industrial machinery, medical devices, defense, and semiconductor-related systems. Work includes both CAD-based design and hands-on activities in lab or shop environments, such as assembling and testing prototypes and fixtures. Occasional domestic or international travel may be required to support projects, installations, or customer engagements. Candidates work standard full-time hours with flexibility as needed to meet project deadlines. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $105000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.