The Role
Lead mechanical design and testing for coffee brewing products and pod production equipment. Design injection-molded components, prototype and validate mechanisms, integrate and maintain automated manufacturing systems, and transition products from prototype to scaled production. Responsibilities include DFM, supplier collaboration, fabrication, equipment installation, troubleshooting, documentation, and cross-functional support with electrical and embedded controls. The role requires hands-on startup agility and ownership from concept through commercial deployment.
Summary Generated by Built In
Senior Mechanical Engineer – Grand Rapids, Michigan
DISHER is currently partnering with a tech startup in the coffee space on their search for a Senior Mechanical Engineer who genuinely wants to be part of a startup journey. While your core expertise must be deeply rooted in world-class mechanical engineering, spanning CAD design, mechanism design, prototyping, and manufacturing readiness, you will also be a utility player. You must be flexible, willing and eager to dive into diverse technical challenges that may fall outside traditional mechanical engineering (such as light electrical/embedded troubleshooting, automation setup, documentation, or facility and equipment installation).
What it's like to work here:
They are a disruptor at the intersection of coffee/technology/sustainability. They’re getting ready to launch their flagship product that will revolutionize the coffee experience and transform the way people brew coffee at home and in the office. We’re assembling a team of innovators. If you thrive in ambiguity, love solving hard physical problems, and want the excitement and ownership of building a company from the ground up, this is the place for you.
What you will get to do:
- Coffee Brewer R&D & Engineering: Lead the mechanical design, optimization, and testing of coffee brewing technology. Engineer injection molded plastic parts for mass production. Evaluate pre-production samples and determine modifications. Work directly with manufacturers.
- Pod Production Equipment & Automation: Design, build, integrate, and maintain specialized manufacturing and packaging equipment for coffee pods. Own the mechanical reliability of custom equipment on our production lines.
- Prototyping & Iteration: Rapidly prototype, test, and assemble production line equipment using fabrication tools (3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting). Conduct rigorous benchtop testing, thermal profiling, and endurance testing to validate designs. Work with production workers to determine SOPs and best practices for optimal throughput.
- Strong Research and Development (R&D) Skills: Ability to design experiments, analyze data, and iterate quickly on prototypes.
- Cross-Functional Problem Solving: Step outside traditional boundaries to assist with various technical needs across the company, whether troubleshooting automation hardware, setting up manufacturing cell infrastructure, integrating sensors, or supporting electrical/embedded controls.
- Manufacturing Readiness & Scaling: Transition designs from prototype to scaled production. Design components for manufacturability (DFM), source mechanical parts, collaborate with local and international machine shops/suppliers, and write assembly procedures.
- Hands-On Facility Execution: Roll up your sleeves in our workshop and production area to install equipment, troubleshoot mechanical breakdowns, adjust equipment, and ensure safe, efficient production.
- Startup Agility: Adapt rapidly to shifting priorities, ambiguous requirements, and tight timelines. Take full ownership of projects from concept to commercial deployment with minimal oversight.
What will make you successful:
- 7-10 years of mechanical engineering experience, ideally with exposure to consumer products, appliances or consumer electronics.
- Strong command of modern CAD tools, mechanical design principles, tolerance analysis, material selection, and fabrication methods (machining, 3D printing, sheet metal, injection molding, etc.).
- The "startup DNA" & flexibility and a proven desire to work in a startup environment. You are comfortable wearing multiple hats, enjoy learning new technical skills on the fly, and view cross-functional tasks not as a distraction, but as an exciting part of building a business.
- You have a hands-on mindset and are equal parts strategic thinker and builder. You aren't afraid to get your hands dirty on the shop floor.
- Must be based in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. (Remote or hybrid arrangements are not available for this role).
Skills Required
- 7-10 years of mechanical engineering experience
- Experience with consumer products, appliances, or consumer electronics
- Strong command of modern CAD tools
- Mechanical design, tolerance analysis, and material selection expertise
- Experience with machining, 3D printing, sheet metal, injection molding, and other fabrication methods
- Ability to design experiments, analyze data, and rapidly iterate on prototypes
- Hands-on experience building, testing, installing, and troubleshooting equipment
- Ability to work in a startup environment and handle ambiguous, shifting priorities
- Must be based in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area
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The Company
What We Do
DISHER is a professional engineering services and product development company. They provide innovation and design, product development, and manufacturing support services to Fortune 500 companies, suppliers, and independent inventors. Additionally, the company offers staffing and consulting services, helping clients across various industries including medical device, automotive, and aerospace turn ambitious projects into completed realities.
