Mechanical Engineer (Contract)

As a Mechanical Engineer (Contract) at MistyWest, you will be charged with optimizing thermal management systems for compact electronic devices, redesigning prototypes for enhanced durability and reliability, and developing ergonomic handheld products. You'll also implement design for manufacturing principles with a focus on low-volume production and integrate optical components into your designs. Prototyping with 3D printing and collaborating with various teams will be key aspects of your role.

To qualify for the Mechanical Engineer (Contract) position at MistyWest, you should have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and at least 5 years of experience in mechanical design, particularly for handheld electronic products. Proficiency in SolidWorks and a solid understanding of various manufacturing processes such as machining and injection molding are essential. Experience in designing products with ingress protection and incorporating optical components will also be beneficial.

The Mechanical Engineer (Contract) role at MistyWest offers great flexibility. You have the power to negotiate your own rates, hours, and work location, allowing you to tailor your work conditions to fit your lifestyle and needs. Whether you prefer remote work or a more hands-on approach, MistyWest is open to discussing options that work best for you.

At MistyWest, you'll find a vibrant community where engineers and product design enthusiasts come together for events, projects, and personal development. The collaborative environment encourages networking and sharing knowledge, making it an ideal setting for both professional growth and personal interest in engineering.

Yes, the Mechanical Engineer (Contract) role at MistyWest begins with a term of 4-6 weeks, but there is excellent potential for extension based on project needs and your performance. This allows you to explore a longer-term collaboration if you find that MistyWest aligns with your career aspirations.

When answering this question, elaborate on specific projects where you utilized SolidWorks to create detailed designs. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them using the software. Mention how your proficiency with SolidWorks has contributed to your ability to transition designs from prototype to production.

In responding, highlight your methodology for assessing existing designs, including conducting failure analyses and identifying areas for improvement. Provide examples of past redesigns where you successfully enhanced durability through material selection, structural adjustments, or improved manufacturing techniques.

Discuss your understanding of thermal dynamics and various solutions you've employed, such as incorporating heat sinks, using thermal interface materials, or designing airflow pathways. Provide specific examples of devices where you have successfully implemented thermal management solutions.

Explain your approach to design for manufacturing (DFM) principles and how you collaborate with production teams to ensure manufacturability. Offer examples where you’ve successfully navigated the trade-offs between design aspirations and manufacturing constraints.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of projects where you've integrated optical components. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you ensured that the mechanical design accommodated the optical requirements for performance and alignment.

Discuss the significance of ingress protection (IP) ratings in product design, particularly focusing on how you have incorporated these requirements into past projects to ensure product reliability in different environments. Provide specific instances of products you've designed that required certain IP ratings.

Explain your strategies for effective communication and collaboration across different disciplines. Provide examples of situations where your collaboration with electrical engineers, designers, or manufacturers led to successful project outcomes.

Discuss the principles of ergonomic design and how you apply them in your work, considering factors like user comfort, usability, and compliance with ergonomic standards. Offer examples of designs you’ve created that focused on ergonomics.

Share your experience with rapid prototyping through 3D printing, discussing the steps you followed and how the ability to quickly iterate on designs impacted the overall development process. Highlight any successful outcomes or learnings from these experiences.

Reflect on common challenges such as material selection, manufacturing precision, and production scalability. Discuss how you’ve addressed these challenges in your own projects, leveraging your past experiences to ensure a smooth transition.