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Position Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer (Vision Systems Architect)

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting Contract Senior Mechanical Engineer opportunity located in Bellevue, WA. This role supports a high-visibility development program for next-generation automated logistics and identification platforms, requiring an independent architect who can lead the mechanical development of sensor-heavy, compute-integrated hardware.

Job Description: This role is for a Mechanical Systems Architect who can operate with high autonomy during a program’s early-stage development. You will own the mechanical architecture for platforms utilizing Machine Learning (ML) sensors, high-resolution camera modules, and Edge-AI processing units, ensuring seamless system integration and thermal stability before the design transitions to the broader team.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead Architecture: Drive mechanical design from initial concept through production for a new suite of automated identification and data capture (AIDC) platforms.

• System Integration: Act as the primary mechanical lead for integrating complex sub-systems, including precision optical modules, structured light projectors, and high-density Inference/Processing boards.

• Thermal Management: Perform advanced thermal simulations (SolidWorks Flow or similar) to manage the heat signatures of Edge-computing modules in enclosed industrial or vehicle environments.

• Opto-Mechanical Design: Design high-precision, vibration-isolated mounts and enclosures for optical sensors to ensure calibration stability in dynamic environments.

• Requirements Leadership: Partner with ML, Optical, and Electrical Engineering stakeholders to gather and prioritize requirements for "blank-sheet" hardware programs.

• Design Optimization: Lead material selection and structural design with a focus on static/dynamic rigidity and efficient heat dissipation.

• Documentation: Develop detailed engineering drawings utilizing proper GD&T (ASME Y14.5) for high-precision assemblies.

• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external vendors and manufacturing partners to ensure architectural intent is maintained through design transfer.

Job Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent.

• Experience: 7+ years of mechanical design experience, specifically within industrial vision, autonomous sensors, or high-density compute hardware.

• Architectural Mindset: Proven track record of architecting early-stage, "0-to-1" hardware products independently.

• Technical Tools: Proficiency with SolidWorks (required) and experience with PDM/PLM environments.

• Manufacturing Knowledge: Strong understanding of high-volume manufacturing (injection molding, die casting, sheet metal).

• Integration Expertise: Experience integrating electronics, thermal solutions, and sensors into a unified, ruggedized mechanical package.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Thermal Simulation: Proficiency with FEA/CFD simulation tools for active and passive cooling of high-TDP (Thermal Design Power) electronics.

• Opto-Mechanical Exposure: Familiarity with mounting and aligning CMOS sensors, lens barrels, or projection systems.

• Environmental Context: Experience designing for high-vibration environments (Automotive, Aerospace, or Robotics).

• Prototyping: Experience building rapid test platforms to validate Embedded Vision or Machine Learning hardware concepts.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Location: Bellevue, WA (Onsite).
• Pay Rate Range: $95-125/hr.

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan

About Protingent: Protingent is a niche provider of top Engineering and IT talent to product development companies nationwide. Protingent exists to make a positive impact and contribution to the lives of others as well as our community by providing relevant, rewarding, and exciting work opportunities for our candidates.