Intermediate Mechanical Designer
Samuel, Son & Co. · Waterloo
As the Intermediate Mechanical Designer, you turn customer requirements into practical, safe, and cost-effective automation designs. You own defined design scope with increasing independence, coordinate clearly with project and cross-functional teams, and raise risks or support needs early.
This role combines three expectations: practical mechanical design execution, clear coordination with project and cross-functional teams, and disciplined ownership of assigned scope through design, release, build, debug, and installation support.
Mechanical Design Execution
- Determine, understand, and verify the function and mechanics of assigned projects, cells, stations, or subsystems
- Turn requirements and concepts into practical CAD designs that are efficient, safe, manufacturable, serviceable, and cost-effective
- May act as Mechanical Design Lead for smaller, lower-risk jobs or defined subsystems by coordinating design tasks, maintaining technical alignment, and escalating issues that affect scope, risk, budget, schedule, or customer expectations
Design Quality, Documentation & Release Discipline
- Apply sound mechanical design fundamentals, including loads, forces, speeds, materials, tolerances, manufacturing methods, assembly, serviceability, and component selection
- Prepare, check, and maintain drawings, bills of materials, sequence of operations, I/O lists, and valve bank layouts for accuracy, completeness, manufacturability, and compliance with department standards before release
- Generate Samuel standard documentation for communicating design intent to the shop floor
Concept Review & Component Selection
- Review initial concepts with Sales, the Project Manager, the customer, and senior design team members, as required
- Specify, source, and obtain quotations for purchased mechanical, sensing, pneumatic, and hydraulic components, seeking support on unusual or high-risk applications
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Coordinate with Electrical and Controls team members to support equipment integration and creation of a working program
- Communicate clearly with project teams, customers, suppliers, the machine shop, assembly, and design leads; raise risks and support needs before they affect delivery
This role owns assigned design work with technical guidance from the Team Lead and department support from the Mechanical Design Manager.
- Intermediate Mechanical Designer: owns assigned design scope, CAD execution, documentation quality, component selection, and early risk escalation
- Team Lead: provides technical guidance, workload clarity, coaching, and escalation support
- Mechanical Design Manager: owns department priorities, staffing, final escalations, and performance decisions
- Moderately complex stations, subsystems, or machines with defined scope and clear delivery expectations
- Practical design work requiring sound judgment, clear coordination, and reliable follow-through
- Drawing, BOM, and release activities where accuracy and manufacturability affect downstream success
- Build, debug, testing, installation, and issue-resolution support tied to assigned scope
- Early escalation of unclear requirements, technical risks, scope changes, or delivery impacts
- Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Mechatronic, Systems Design, Engineering Physics, Engineering Science, or related discipline
- 6-8 years of mechanical design experience, including experience in custom automation, machine design, or a comparable environment
- Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, PDM, AutoCAD, and related engineering tools
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
The base pay range for this position is $37.84-$52.04 (CAD). The posted range reflects the expected base hourly rate for this position. Actual base pay will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and experience, as well as internal equity considerations. Offers are typically made within the range and not at the top of the range to support growth and progression. This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive plan. Incentive awards, if any, are based on business and individual performance and are not guaranteed.
At Samuel, we believe every team member brings unique and valuable skills, experiences and knowledge to our thriving business – enabling us to build on over 170 years of success in the metals industry. We offer countless opportunities for our team members to develop and grow in their careers, empower them to make decisions on the job and be a part of driving positive change – within our organization and in the communities where we live and work. If you’re seeking a dynamic, supportive and welcoming workplace to make your mark and grow your career, we have the programs, culture and opportunities to make it happen. We’re stronger together.Samuel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In the United States, we utilize E-Verify.
As the Intermediate Mechanical Designer, you turn customer requirements into practical, safe, and cost-effective automation designs. You own defined design scope with increasing independence, coordinate clearly with project and cross-functional teams, and raise risks or support needs early.