Senior Mechanical Engineer – Project Manager

Acorn Product Development

Senior Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager leading robotics and automation product development for Acorn, a product development consulting firm. Designing, testing, and integrating complex mechanical systems while managing client projects, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.

Posted 8/17/2026full-timeNewark • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $130,000 - $160,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in mechanical engineering design, project management, and client interaction, with a strong focus on mechatronics and system-level design. Proficient in SolidWorks CAD and FEA, with hands-on experience in automation and product development for industrial and medical applications.

Highest-signal resume keywords

BSME Degree8+ Years Technical System-Level Design ExperienceMechatronics ExpertiseProject Management ExperienceSolidWorks CAD Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

System-Level DesignMechanical Engineering AnalysisAutomation ExperienceDesign for ManufacturabilityMaterials and Component SelectionKinematics AnalysisThermal AnalysisStructural AnalysisHands-On System IntegrationEnd Effector Design

Soft Skills

Client Interface CapabilityCross-Functional Team Leadership

Tools & Technologies

SolidWorks CADFEA SoftwareMotion Control HardwareStepper MotorsServo MotorsDC MotorsEncodersLimit Switches

Certifications & Qualifications

BSMEMSME (Preferred)

Industry Keywords

ISO 13485Life Science Instrument DesignMedical Device DesignIndustrial ApplicationsManufacturing Lines

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a mechanical engineering team designing products with multiple, powered DOFs
Design, build, and test systems and critical components
Brainstorm, design, and compare potential product architectures against client metrics
Identify and perform critical engineering analyses and tests from concept evaluations to production verification
Assist clients in defining product specifications, schedules, and resource planning
Manage project budget, schedule, and deliverables as the primary point of contact with clients
Coordinate work with other engineers across multiple offices

Requirements

What you’ll need

BSME required; MSME preferred
Minimum of 8+ years of technical system-level design experience, from architectural definition through design, release, and manufacturing
Project management experience leading a cross-functional team
Mechatronics expertise, including motors, bearings, gear trains, belt drives, and sensors
Experience with motion control hardware, including stepper, servo, and DC motors, plus encoders and limit switches
Multiple projects designed, fabricated, and tested
Automation experience for industrial applications and manufacturing lines
Hands-on system bring-up and integration with a cross-functional team
Mechanical engineering analysis experience in kinematics, structural, thermal, and tolerances
Materials and component selection expertise
Proficiency in SolidWorks CAD and FEA
Client interface capability and experience
Hands-on practical performance in shop/lab work
Design for manufacturability in high- and low-volume production
Project and technical reporting
Experience with end effector design is a plus
Experience with life science instrument and/or medical device design is a plus
Understanding of ISO 13485 is a plus

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salaries
Paid time off
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Disability benefits
401k
Health care spending accounts
Quarterly company events
Annual company events