Mechanical Engineer – Research & Development
The Mechanical Engineer – Industrial Systems will support The Jackson Laboratory’s JMCRS (Jackson Mice & Clinical Research Services) operations and broader institutional initiatives by designing and implementing mechanical systems that enhance automation, reduce ergonomic risks, and improve operational efficiency. Working in close collaboration with the Controls/Automation Engineer, this role will contribute to the development of integrated, scalable solutions that streamline repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and support workplace safety initiatives.
This position will support automation and mechanical design efforts across all sites of JMCRS and Research Services contributing to cross-functional innovation and system integration.
The salary range is $80,167 - $116,242. Salary will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
Must be willing to travel up to 10% to other JAX locations.
Key responsibilities (What you contribute):
- Design and develop mechanical systems and components to support automation and ergonomic improvements.
- Collaborate with the Controls/Automation Engineer to implement integrated solutions across JMCRS operations.
- Support installation, testing, and troubleshooting of mechanical systems.
- Ensure mechanical designs meet safety, ergonomic, and regulatory standards.
- Document mechanical specifications, drawings, and validation protocols.
- Contribute to automation initiatives across JMCRS and Research Services.
- Lead mechanical aspects of cross-functional engineering projects.
- Evaluate and recommend new mechanical technologies and materials.
- Develop training materials and provide technical support to operations staff.
- Apply Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to improve mechanical system performance.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology with a focus on industrial systems, automation, or robotics.
- 3 years of experience in mechanical design or industrial engineering.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, SolidEdge, AutoCAD) and mechanical system modeling.
- Experience designing mechanical components for automation or production environments.
- Familiarity with safety and ergonomic standards in mechanical system design.
- Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and support root cause analysis.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills facilitating effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Exceptional organizational and time management abilities, with the capacity to handle multiple projects in a dynamic and high-pressure environment.
- Ability to lead small project teams or cross-functional workgroups as needed.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree
- 5+ years of experience in mechanical design or industrial engineering.
- A Professional Engineer (PE) license or passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam in the primary state of practice.
- Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)
- Certification in Lean or Six Sigma (green belt level).
- SolidWorks or AutoCAD Professional Certification
- Proficiency in MS Project or similar software.
- Experience with robotics, motion control, or mechatronic systems.
- Programming or scripting experience for mechanical automation (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
- OSHA Ergonomics or Safety Certification
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience in GMP or regulated environments
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About JAX:
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California, New York, Florida), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.
Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.
EEO Statement:
The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology focused on industrial systems, automation, or robotics
- At least 3 years of experience in mechanical design or industrial engineering
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, SolidEdge, or AutoCAD and mechanical system modeling
- Experience designing mechanical components for automation or production environments
- Familiarity with safety and ergonomic standards in mechanical system design
- Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes
- Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and support root cause analysis
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects
- Ability to lead small project teams or cross-functional workgroups
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies
- Master's degree
- At least 5 years of experience in mechanical design or industrial engineering
- Professional Engineer license or passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
- Certified Manufacturing Engineer certification
- Lean or Six Sigma certification at the Green Belt level
- SolidWorks or AutoCAD Professional Certification
- Proficiency in MS Project or similar software
- Experience with robotics, motion control, or mechatronic systems
- Programming or scripting experience for mechanical automation, such as MATLAB or Python
- OSHA Ergonomics or Safety Certification
- Experience in GMP or regulated environments
The Jackson Laboratory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Jackson Laboratory and has not been reviewed or approved by The Jackson Laboratory.
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Retirement Support — Retirement contributions up to 10% and employer‑paid life and disability insurance indicate robust long‑term financial support. The retirement program is positioned as a standout element of the total package.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, fertility benefits, FSAs, EAP access, and onsite fitness centers point to strong healthcare support. These offerings contribute to a well‑rounded, reliable benefits foundation.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Entry‑level operations roles advertise site‑specific starting pay with regularly scheduled increases. Publicly posted entry rates and promised regular increases can help satisfaction early on.
The Jackson Laboratory Insights
What We Do
Cancer. Diabetes. Alzheimer’s. Heart Disease. Parkinson’s. The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) leads the search to cure diseases rooted in our DNA. Founded in 1929, we are an NCI-designated Cancer Center since 1983 and an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit research organization with over 90 years of experience in genetics and genomics research. JAX blends the brightest minds with state-of-the-art resources to accelerate discovery. Areas of Discovery (75+ Principal Investigators, >250 Ph.D.s, M.D.s, and D.V.M.s): • Cancer: We are a National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Center focusing on cancer initiation, progression, prevention and therapies. • Developmental/reproductive biology: birth defects, Down syndrome, osteoporosis, fertility • Immunology: HIV-AIDS, anemia, autoimmunity, cancer immunology, immune disorders, lupus, transplant rejection • Metabolic diseases: atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, microbiome • Neurobiology: blindness, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, deafness, epilepsy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases • Neurobehavioral disorders: autism, addiction, depression Supporting Global Research: • The JAX Mouse Repository and Scientific Services are among the premier resources available for biomedical research. Committed to Education: • Summer Student Program (undergrad & high school) • Teaching the Genome Generation Short Course • Ph.D. programs: U. Maine, Tufts University and U. Connecticut • Courses, Conferences and Workshops
