Electro - Mechanical Design Engineer - R&D

SUMMARY
The Electro-Mechanical Design Engineer - R&D develops innovative products and technologies that combine mechanical systems, electrical components, sensors, controls, and software-enabled functionality. This role supports projects from concept through design, prototyping, validation, production launch, and post-launch improvement.

As Electro-Mechanical R&D Engineer at Wilson Tool, this role will:
Design and develop electro-mechanical products, subsystems, test fixtures, and technology demonstrators.
Integrate mechanical components with sensors, actuators, motors, controls, wiring, and embedded or connected devices.
Build and test prototypes, analyze results, resolve technical issues, and document design decisions.
Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers to ensure designs are safe, reliable, cost-effective, and production-ready.
Support Stage-Gate reviews, product launches, field trials, and continuous product improvement.
Investigate emerging technologies and convert promising concepts into practical customer solutions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Product and Technology Development
Develop electro-mechanical concepts and detailed designs from customer, market, and technical requirements.
Select and integrate sensors, motors, actuators, switches, controls, power supplies, communication devices, and related components.
Create mechanical designs, assemblies, drawings, specifications, schematics, wiring diagrams, and bills of material.
Apply sound engineering principles to tolerance, motion, loading, thermal, environmental, electrical, and safety considerations.

Prototyping, Testing, and Validation
Plan and execute prototype builds, bench testing, design verification, validation, and field trials.
Develop test methods, fixtures, data-acquisition approaches, and acceptance criteria.
Analyze test data, identify root causes, and implement corrective design actions.
Document test results, technical findings, risks, and recommendations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Launch
Partner with other R&D team members including electrical engineers, embedded systems engineer, design engineers as well as product management, manufacturing, sales, service, and global technical teams throughout development.
Support design reviews, Stage-Gate reviews, risk assessments, cost reviews, and production-readiness activities.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly, inspection, serviceability, and cost.
Work with suppliers to define component requirements, evaluate alternatives, and resolve technical or quality issues.
Support first builds, pilot production, product launch, customer trials, and transition to normal production ownership.

Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Continuous Improvement
Research emerging technologies in automation, sensing, controls, robotics, connected products, and advanced manufacturing.
Generate and evaluate new concepts through structured experimentation and rapid prototyping.
Identify potentially patentable inventions and support invention disclosures and intellectual-property reviews.
Apply lessons learned and continuous-improvement methods to products and R&D processes.
Support troubleshooting and product improvement activities for released products when specialized technical knowledge is required.
Follow applicable safety, quality, regulatory, cybersecurity, and company requirements.
Engage with customers and end users to understand applications, observe product use, and validate solutions.
Perform other engineering and innovation responsibilities as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Five or more years of experience developing electro-mechanical products, equipment, automation, or engineered systems in a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical components, sensors, actuators, motors, controls, or embedded systems.
Experience with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, bills of material, prototyping, testing, and design documentation.
Experience using Planview Project Advantage, or a comparable project-management platform, to manage tasks, milestones, risks, and deliverables.
Experience working within a formal Stage-Gate product development process, including technical deliverables, gate preparation, reviews, and follow-through.
Working knowledge of design for manufacturability, structured problem-solving, and product validation methods.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, electrical schematic tools, or related engineering software.
Experience in tooling, machining, metal forming, industrial equipment, robotics, automation, or discrete manufacturing.
Familiarity with PLCs, embedded controllers, industrial communications, data acquisition, or connected-product technologies.
Familiarity with FMEA, tolerance analysis, statistical methods, Lean product development, or Design for Six Sigma.
Experience working with suppliers, customers, global teams, patents, or regulated product requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Strong mechanical and electrical problem-solving skills with a systems-level approach.
Ability to convert ambiguous customer or market needs into testable engineering requirements.
Ability to independently plan technical work while collaborating effectively across functions.
Strong hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, experimentation, and laboratory skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet commitments, and communicate risks early.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and technical documentation skills.
Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, specifications, test data, and manufacturing documentation.
Curiosity, creativity, sound judgment, and willingness to work outside established solutions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn engineering, project, and data-analysis tools.
Customer-focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
On-site work at the White Bear Lake, Minnesota facility. The role operates in office, engineering, laboratory, and manufacturing environments and includes hands-on prototype, testing, and production-support activities. Personal protective equipment may be required in designated areas.
WORK SCHEDULE
Full-time; core business hours or as determined by business needs.
TRAVEL
Some travel is required to company facilities, suppliers, customers, trade events, or project partners.
COMPENSATION
Exempt - $105,500-$131,900 DOQ
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position does not typically have direct supervisory responsibility but may coordinate technicians, interns, suppliers, or cross-functional contributors for assigned development activities.