mechanical design engineer

Something like the below:

Design Engineer (Mechanical/Industrial) — Bike Racks & Vehicle Accessories

Location: Remote (Australia)  Adelaide preferred; regular manufacturer & site visits

Employment: Full-time, permanent

Reports to: Founder/Director

Works with: Manufacturers (AU/China/EU), third-party labs & QC partners; external consulting engineer (transition support)

Start: November/December 2025 (flexible)

Salary: Competitive + super (DOE)

About the role (from me)

JB Racks is seeking a detail-obsessed design engineer who can turn fast, evolving ideas into clean, manufacturable hardware. You'll take JB's concepts and rapidly convert them into robust CAD, bullet-proof drawings, and full DFM release packs. You'll also be able to conceptualise, prototype and run FEA to de-risk designs before production. If you are a genuine people person, love managing versatile CAD packages, and closing the loop with manufacturers, you'll fit right in.

What you'll do

• Turn concepts into CAD quickly : Producing robust parts & assemblies.
• Own drawings & file management: GD&T, weld symbols, finishes, cut lists, flat patterns/bend tables; clean PDM, revision control, ECO/ECR.
• DFM for fabricated products: laser-cut/tube-laser, bending, welding, galvanising/powder coat, hardware selection, efficient assembly.
• Run FEA (linear statics, buckling; basic fatigue where relevant), sanity-check with hand calcs, and correlate with field/site tests.
• Release packs: drawings + BOMs + cut lists + assembly/pack instructions + QC check sheets – Liaise closely with manufacturers.
• Prototyping & test: build/commission jigs and fixtures; develop practical test setups; support field/site testing and sample sign-offs.
• Work with manufacturers & third parties: resolve DFM feedback, tolerances, coatings/corrosion, packaging, and production issues.
• Compliance & documentation: read/apply relevant standards/regulations; maintain test plans/records and traceability to support certification.

Must-haves

• 3+ years in mechanical/industrial design for fabricated products (metal based laser-cut/welded assemblies preferred).
• Strong CAD and excellent drawings — you care about fit, stack-ups, and clear notes.
• Proven Design for Manufacturing instincts and practical workshop experience.
• Hands-on FEA proficiency: set up loads/BCs/contacts, mesh well (utilising as minimum processing as possible), interpret results to drive decisions (with supporting first principles).
• Disciplined with files (naming, PDM, revisions, ECO/ECR) and calm under fast iteration.
• Clear communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, idea-rich environment.

Qualifications: Show your portfolio, drawings, and FEA examples that prove you can do the work.

Tools & software

We'll provide licences and are open to your recommendations. Historically we've used SolidWorks (CAD/Simulation), ANSYS, and SimScale.

Standards & quality

• Work to a wide variety of international and domestic regulations and standards (details vary by project).
• Understand the legal obligations: duty of care, product liability/recall risk, use of licensed standards, and keeping compliance evidence current.
• Quality mindset: ISO-style documentation, incoming QC/process capability, traceability (labels/serials).

How success will be measured

Error-free, on-time design releases that build and fit first time — validated by FEA and field/site tests, with low ECO churn and tidy files.

Practicalities

• Hours: Full-time, remote within Australia, with periodic on-site days at manufacturers and for field/site testing.
• Travel: Regular domestic visits (VIC/SA/NSW). China ~monthly (typically 4–5 days); international trips about every 2-3 months EU-USA. Test-track days are rare; field/site testing is ongoing.
• Physical: Occasionally lift/carry ~20 kg; work safely around vehicles and test rigs