Mechanical Vision Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Vision Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Vision Engineer designs and integrates precision mechanical assemblies for industrial machine vision systems, including camera mounts, optical fixtures, illumination assemblies, protective enclosures, and alignment mechanisms. This role supports the integration of cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, lighting, sensors, and related vision hardware into automated equipment, and actively participates in design, testing, prototype builds, validation, and manufacturing release activities. The engineer performs tolerance stack-up analysis and applies GD&T with a strong focus on manufacturability, assembly, and long-term system performance, while creating and maintaining detailed engineering documentation. The position involves troubleshooting mechanical, optical, and automation-related issues and collaborating with suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams to evaluate components, improve designs, and support production readiness.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical assemblies for industrial machine vision systems, including camera mounts, optical fixtures, illumination assemblies, protective enclosures, and alignment mechanisms.
• Support the integration of cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, lighting, sensors, and other vision hardware into automated machinery and industrial equipment.
• Participate in the full product development lifecycle, including conceptual design, detailed design, testing, prototype builds, validation, and manufacturing release.
• Perform tolerance stack-up analysis and apply GD&T principles to ensure manufacturability, ease of assembly, and long-term mechanical and optical performance.
• Develop, review, and maintain engineering documentation such as drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), engineering change orders (ECOs), and related design records.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, optical, and automation-related issues in machine vision and electromechanical systems, and support root cause investigations.
• Collaborate closely with suppliers to evaluate components, provide design feedback, and ensure parts and assemblies meet performance and production requirements.
• Work with internal engineering teams to refine designs, improve system reliability, and support readiness for production and deployment.
• Support prototype builds, participate in design reviews, and contribute to the transition from prototype to manufacturing release.
• Apply design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles to sheet metal parts, machined components, aluminum extrusions, and tooling.
• Consider thermal effects in mechanical design when required to ensure stable performance of machine vision and automated equipment.
• Manage multiple engineering tasks and priorities while communicating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience developing or integrating machine vision systems using industrial cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, lighting, and optical components within automated equipment.
• Minimum 2 years of mechanical design experience creating precision mechanical assemblies for manufacturing or automation applications using SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Hands-on experience with optical integration, including supporting the integration of cameras, optics, sensors, and illumination systems into complex electromechanical equipment.
• Background working with automation equipment such as automated machinery, robotics, semiconductor tools, manufacturing systems, or similar industrial platforms.
• Strong ability to perform tolerance stack-up analysis and apply GD&T principles to designs, ensuring manufacturability and robust assembly from prototype through production release.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or comparable 3D mechanical design tools for modeling, detailing, and documentation.
• Experience applying DFM and DFA practices to sheet metal designs, machined parts, aluminum extrusions, and associated tooling.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Practical experience working with industrial cameras, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, machine vision lighting, or strobed LED illumination.
• Experience working in environments involving automated machinery, industrial equipment, robotics, semiconductor processes, or manufacturing systems.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills with exposure to electromechanical, optical, or automation systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities effectively, and communicate clearly across engineering and cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience considering thermal effects and thermal management in mechanical design for machine vision or automated equipment.
• Prior experience supporting semiconductor equipment, automated test systems, optical inspection systems, or machine vision platforms.
• Interest in or familiarity with industrial cameras, optics, and lighting systems, including advanced illumination techniques.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, conducting design reviews, and contributing to manufacturing release processes.
• Experience with engineering documentation practices, including creation and maintenance of drawings, BOMs, ECOs, and design records.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability and design for assembly principles applied to precision mechanical and optical assemblies.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based in the San Diego area, working in a collaborative engineering environment focused on advanced machine vision and automated equipment development. The position involves close interaction with mechanical, optical, and automation engineers, as well as suppliers and manufacturing teams, in a setting that emphasizes hands-on design, prototyping, and testing. Local candidates are preferred due to the onsite and collaborative nature of the work. Occasional domestic or international travel may be required to support projects, supplier visits, or equipment installations. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $105000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.