Mechatronics Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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.