Mechanical Engineer (CH)

Key Tasks:

• Complete lifecycle design of plastic enclosures and mechanical assemblies for consumer electronics.
• Development of DFM- and DFH-oriented solutions considering mass production processes (plastic injection molding, assembly, sealing, serviceability).
• Collaboration with hardware and embedded engineers, industrial designers, technologists, quality control, and manufacturing departments.
• Design of ergonomic, intuitive solutions adaptable to different operating environments.
• Preparation of production transfer documentation (2D drawings, specifications, technical requirements, 3D models for molds).
• Support of mold development and approval of modifications after initial mold trials (T0–T2), including defect analysis.
• Participation in testing and feedback from prototypes and production, incorporating design improvements.
• Verification of engineering compliance of the finished product with expected technical parameters (stiffness, assembly, weight, IP protection).
• Oversight of the product lifecycle from concept to mass production, including cost analysis and assessment of the impact of design decisions on production costs.
• Communication with Chinese factories: technical specifications, drawing reviews, change control, feedback on prototypes and production samples.
• Assessment of manufacturing risks in China: equipment limitations, mold quality, shrinkage, production tolerances, and the influence of packaging and logistics on design.
• Inspection of samples from China: defect analysis (shrinkage, warping, poor casting), initial product assembly, and reporting with recommendations.
• Consideration of potential scaling difficulties in China: timeline tracking, mold duplication, and price optimization.
• Continuous communication via email, video calls, document comments (in English), and participation in editing specifications based on feedback from the Chinese side.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

🧩 3D Modeling & Design:
• SolidWorks (95% solid modeling, 5% surface modeling), basic sheet metal modeling knowledge.
• Creation of precise assemblies, constraints, tolerance verification, and preparation of models for molding production.
• Ability to break down complex projects into sub-units, using reference geometry and configurations.
🏭 DFM / DFA / Manufacturing:
• Knowledge of mold design: opening directions, gating points, parting lines, risks of short shots/air pockets.
• Optimization for scalability and cost reduction (minimize part count, reduce weld lines, shorten cycle time).
• Experience working with factories in Ukraine and China; understanding of the mold lifecycle; participation in modifications after T1/T2.
• Basics of metal processing technologies: bending, stamping, laser cutting, milling for internal frames and auxiliary parts.
• Understanding of Chinese manufacturers’ practices: interpretation of drawings, overlooked details, confirmation processes.
• Understanding of the Chinese production structure: project managers, engineers, suppliers.
• Active participation in mold development discussions: steel selection, cost estimation, gating points, parting lines.
• Familiarity with typical Chinese documentation formats: PDFs, STEP files, Excel specifications, compressed archives, WeTransfer/Alibaba Cloud.
🧪 Testing & Prototyping:
• Manual inspection, assembly, and analysis of critical nodes.
• Identifying and resolving sealing, play, and fit issues.
• Skilled in the use of measuring tools: calipers, micrometers, gauges, etc.
🧠 Materials Science & Standards:
• Properties of ABS, PC, PC+ABS, PA+GF, TPE, and TPU: shrinkage, impact strength, heat resistance, and elasticity.
• Understanding material behavior during production and operation (temperature, humidity, UV).
• Balancing cost, quality, and manufacturability when selecting materials.
⚙️ Functional Elements:
• Development of fasteners, clips, guides, seals, TPE/TPU elements, and mounting slots.
• Design of interface elements: buttons, indicators, light guides, ports, and ventilation openings.
• Knowledge of sealing methods and IP protection standards (IP54–IP67), heat dissipation, and battery compartment design.
• Considering Chinese factory constraints: wall thickness, micro gaps, welding, and assembly limitations.
• Designing for high repairability and ease of assembly in outsourced Chinese facilities.
📄 Documentation & Production Support:
• Generation of complete documentation bundles: 2D outlines, tolerance tables, BOMs, assembly specifications.
• Implementation of changes based on prototype or production feedback.
• Participation in preparing technical descriptions for QC, assembly instructions, and design documentation control.
🌐 Communication & Tools:
• English B2+ level – oral and written technical communication with Chinese suppliers.
• Experience in communication with Chinese engineers, managers, and production teams (via Alibaba, WeChat, email, video calls).
• Knowledge of Chinese business communication nuances: importance of confirmations, repetitions, and visual examples.
• Use of SolidWorks PDM, Excel, Google Docs, Asana/Trello/Notion for project management.