In this hands-on role, you will provide detailed mechanical and machine design capability to our automation program. You will take machine and automation concepts through 3D CAD, detailed drawings, BOMs, component selection and fabrication planning, then support assembly, commissioning and modification on the production floor. The equipment you design will support the automation of our advanced composite manufacturing, including proprietary moulding techniques, CNC machining, test and validation, in a fast-paced start-up environment. The ideal candidate will have strong detailed design skills, practical experience turning designs into equipment that can be fabricated and assembled, and a passion for working in an innovative, hands-on environment.

Job Responsibilities

· Detailed Mechanical & Machine Design: Take machine and automation concepts through to detailed 3D CAD designs (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.), including mechanisms, frames, fixtures, tooling, guarding, drives and actuators.

· Fabrication & Assembly Drawings: Produce fabrication and assembly drawings with appropriate tolerances, fits and manufacturing details.

· BOMs & Component Selection: Develop and maintain bills of materials (BOMs), and select and specify standard and purchased components.

· Design for Manufacture & Assembly: Apply DfM/DfA principles so that designs can be fabricated, assembled and maintained efficiently and cost-effectively.

· Fabrication & Assembly Planning: Plan and support fabrication and assembly, working directly with our internal and external fabricators and suppliers.

· Commissioning & Modification: Support commissioning of current equipment and carry out modifications on the production floor, feeding lessons learned back into designs.

· Automation of Manufacturing Processes: Contribute to the design, development and optimisation of automated systems for advanced composite manufacturing, integrating mechanical solutions with electrical and control systems.

· Proprietary Moulding Techniques & CNC Machining: Collaborate with the team to enhance and scale our composite moulding processes,



and support prototype manufacture of new mould designs using in-house CNC capability and external suppliers.

· Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Identify and solve complex engineering problems related to materials (metals, composites and resins), manufacturing processes, automation, and system integration.

· Test & Validation: Lead testing phases, analyse performance data, and validate new techniques, materials, and processes to improve quality, productivity, and sustainability.

· Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work in a small engineering team, alongside other engineers and technicians to integrate mechanical engineering solutions alongside electrical, software, mechatronics and materials science aspects, within a broader Systems Engineering framework.

Continuous Improvement: Stay up to date with the latest advances in machine design, manufacturing processes, automation technologies and composite materials. Continuously strive to improve processes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.

Qualifications and Experience

Experience level:

This role is open to candidates at different career stages, with the scope and level of ownership matched to experience:

o Early-career engineer: A junior mechanical engineer with very strong CAD and detailed design fundamentals and the right hands-on attitude, with guidance provided on system design and automation.

o Experienced mechanical/design engineer: An engineer with a proven machine design background who can take ownership of complete machine designs and close the capability gap quickly.

Required skills / experience:

· Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related STEM field. Recent graduates and those about to graduate will be considered.

· Technical Skills:

o Strong 3D CAD capability (e.g.,



SolidWorks, AutoCAD), including detailed part, assembly and fabrication drawings.

o Solid understanding of mechanical and machine design, including mechanisms, frames, fixtures, drives and actuators.

o Ability to apply appropriate tolerances, fits and manufacturing details to drawings.

o Experience developing BOMs and selecting standard and purchased components.

o Understanding of design for manufacture and assembly (DfM/DfA), material science and fabrication processes.

o Understanding of mechanical testing and validation.

o Basic knowledge of automation systems and control mechanisms.

· Practical Experience: Hands-on experience taking designs from concept through fabrication, assembly and commissioning, and working with fabricators and suppliers.

Desirable qualifications/ experience:

· Previous exposure to automation equipment, special-purpose machinery or production systems.

· Familiarity with automation architecture, PLC-controlled machinery and SCADA systems, and an understanding of how mechanical, electrical and control systems come together (PLC programming is not required). This is a significant advantage for more experienced candidates.

· Knowledge of additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping methods.

Exposure to composite materials and manufacturing techniques. Useful but not essential, as our composite processes will be learnt on the job.

Key Behaviours/ Competencies

· Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Ability to approach complex problems with a structured, analytical mindset and design practical, efficient solutions.

· Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders.

· Hands-on Approach: Willingness to work in the hands-on environment of a dynamic start-up working across a range of tasks including design, prototyping, fabrication, assembly, testing and commissioning.

Adaptability & Learning: Eagerness to learn new technologies and techniques, and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-changing, start-up environment.

📌 Mechanical Design Engineer (Port Adelaide)
🏢 Praxis Labs
📍 Port Adelaide