Automation Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Automation Designer

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Industry: Life Sciences / Medical Devices

Position Summary

We are seeking a Mechanical Automation Designer to support the design, development, and documentation of automated equipment used in life sciences, medical device manufacturing, and other regulated production environments.

This role will create detailed mechanical designs, assemblies, and manufacturing documentation while maintaining accurate product data through Upchain CAD workflows. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience designing industrial automation equipment, working with cross-functional engineering teams, and developing reliable mechanical systems that meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and automated equipment for medical device and life sciences manufacturing applications.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, production drawings, assembly drawings, and bills of materials.
• Manage CAD files, revisions, engineering changes, and product documentation using Upchain PLM and structured CAD data management workflows.
• Create mechanical designs for automated machinery, including frames, guarding, conveyors, actuators, motion components, robotic interfaces, and material-handling systems.
• Select appropriate motors, bearings, sensors, pneumatic components, linear motion systems, and other mechanical hardware.
• Perform tolerance analysis, fit checks, design reviews, and basic engineering calculations.
• Apply design for manufacturing and assembly, GD&T, and industry-standard drafting practices.
• Support prototype development, machine assembly, system integration, testing, troubleshooting, and design validation.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, controls engineers, electrical engineers, manufacturing teams, quality personnel, and project managers.
• Incorporate design changes based on testing results, production feedback, risk assessments, and customer requirements.
• Maintain accurate bills of materials, drawing packages, revision histories, and engineering release documentation.
• Support equipment designs intended for regulated environments and follow applicable quality systems, documentation procedures, and change-control processes.
• Participate in design reviews and help identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, manufacturability, safety, and performance.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Approximately 3–6 years of experience in mechanical automation design, machine design, or custom equipment development.
• Experience using Upchain, Upchain PLM, or a comparable cloud-based product lifecycle management system.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software and mechanical drafting tools.
• Experience creating detailed part drawings, assembly drawings, bills of materials, and engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation, custom machinery, robotics, conveyors, pneumatics, and motion-control components.
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, material selection, machining, fabrication, and assembly methods.
• Experience supporting equipment builds, prototype testing, machine commissioning, or manufacturing troubleshooting.
• Ability to manage multiple design assignments and maintain accurate revision-controlled documentation.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience in the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory automation, or life-sciences industry is preferred.
• Familiarity with regulated manufacturing practices, validation documentation, risk management, or FDA-regulated environments is preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Experience designing automated equipment for cleanroom, laboratory, pharmaceutical, or medical manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar mechanical CAD platforms.
• Knowledge of machine safety, guarding standards, ergonomic design, and equipment risk assessment.
• Experience with engineering change orders, revision control, document release, and product lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with design verification, equipment qualification, and validation-support activities.

Work Environment

This Chicago-based position may require collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and testing teams in both office and production-floor environments. Occasional hands-on support may be required during equipment assembly, testing, installation, and commissioning.

Mechanical Automation Designer, Upchain, Upchain PLM, CAD workflows, 3D CAD, mechanical design, industrial automation, machine design, medical device manufacturing, life sciences, automation equipment, GD&T, design for manufacturing and assembly, product lifecycle management, CAD data management, engineering change control, bills of materials, regulated manufacturing, equipment validation, SolidWorks

Hiring Transparency & AI Disclosure Statement
In compliance with applicable Canadian employment regulations, we confirm that this job posting represents a current, active vacancy within our organization.
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, rank, or make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters and hiring managers.
If our hiring practices change in the future to include AI-assisted tools, appropriate disclosure will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.