Job Description

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities: 

1. Participate in all phases of product development, including concept development, detailed design, prototyping, testing, system integration, validation, and manufacturing release.

2. Design high-precision mechanical assemblies and mechanisms for integration into automated equipment, including assemblies supporting machine vision cameras, optics, illumination, sensors, and related components.

3. Apply sound mechanical engineering principles to achieve required structural rigidity, mechanical stability, alignment accuracy, repeatability, serviceability, and reliability.

4. Perform tolerance stack-up analysis and apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles to mechanical designs.

5. Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout the product development process.

6. Design machined components, sheet-metal parts, aluminum extrusion assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and other mechanical components as required.

7. Prototype and evaluate new mechanical concepts and participate in proof-of-concept development.

8. Evaluate mechanical, thermal, vibration, alignment, and other factors that may affect the accuracy and stability of precision assemblies.

9. Conduct root cause investigations for mechanical, electromechanical, and system-level performance issues and develop appropriate corrective actions.

10. Collaborate with electrical, software, vision, systems, manufacturing, and other engineering disciplines during product development and system integration.

11. Collaborate with suppliers to evaluate commercial components and support the design and manufacture of custom mechanical components.

12. Generate and maintain complete engineering documentation, including engineering drawings, assembly drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), specifications, and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).

13. Support prototype builds, system integration, validation testing, design verification, and the transfer of released designs to manufacturing.

14. Participate in engineering design reviews and provide technical input on mechanical design and system integration.

15. Support continuous improvement of existing products, including performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and serviceability improvements.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Qualifications: 

Education:

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a comparable engineering discipline required; Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred.

Experience:

At least two years of practical mechanical engineering experience designing and developing high-precision mechanical systems, assemblies, mechanisms, or equipment is required. Experience with automated machinery, semiconductor equipment, robotics, motion systems, instrumentation, or other high-precision equipment is highly desirable.

Prior experience integrating industrial cameras, optics, illumination, sensors, or other machine vision components is a plus, but is not required.

Skills/Technical Requirements: 

Proficient in 3D mechanical design and modeling applications such as SolidWorks.

Strong working knowledge of:

• Precision mechanical design
• GD&T
• Tolerance stack-up analysis
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Machined parts
• Sheet-metal components
• Aluminum extrusions
• Fixtures and tooling

Demonstrated ability to design mechanical assemblies requiring accurate and repeatable positioning, alignment, rigidity, and stability. Understanding material selection and manufacturing processes for precision mechanical components.

Knowledge of thermal and vibration considerations affecting precision mechanical systems is desirable. Hands-on experience with mechanical and electromechanical assembly, integration, testing, and troubleshooting.

Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

Job Conditions: 

Occasional domestic or international travel may be required.

Physical Demands/Strengths: 

Prolonged periods of sitting at a computer terminal.  Use of keyboard 

Protective Devices Required: In required areas.

Compensation: The estimated base pay range for this position is $99,720 to $113,400 per year, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related factors. This range represents Cohu’s good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for this role upon hire. This role may also be eligible for other compensation programs as determined by company policy.

Featured benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition assistance
• Disability & life insurance
• Profit Sharing