For 80 years Rice Lake Weighing Systems has been a successful, growth-oriented company known as a leader in the weighing industry and our community. Measurement Systems International, a Rice Lake Weighing Systems Company, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Kent, WA.
The Senior Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and validation of new and custom products to meet customer specifications. This role places a strong emphasis on strain gage-based load cell transducer design and development, including mechanical design for optimized strain distribution, signal sensitivity, and long-term stability. The position also includes hands-on involvement in testing, calibration, and troubleshooting of load cell performance, along with exposure to experimental stress analysis and validation techniques.
This role also requires working knowledge of the electrical aspects of load cell systems, including strain gage signal behavior, Wheatstone bridge circuits, signal normalization, and integration with instrumentation and control systems. The ideal candidate will have a technical background suited for applying load cell technology within complex, customer-specific systems and applications.
The successful candidate will lead product development efforts from concept through production, including CAD modeling, engineering analysis, prototyping, instrumentation, testing, calibration, and documentation. This position requires strong technical depth in both mechanical design and measurement systems, along with the ability to lead projects and collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and development of strain gage-based load cell transducers, including geometry optimization, material selection, and integration of strain gage layouts
- Develop designs that account for performance characteristics such as accuracy, linearity, hysteresis, creep, repeatability, temperature effects, and fatigue life
- Perform and oversee testing, calibration, and troubleshooting of load cell systems, including root cause analysis of performance issues and implementation of corrective actions
- Design and execute test plans, including instrumentation setup, signal measurement, data acquisition, and correlation of physical test data to analytical models (FEA)
- Apply experimental stress analysis methods (e.g., strain gaging, Wheatstone bridge circuits, signal conditioning, normalization, and data acquisition systems) to validate and refine designs
- Support integration of load cells into complex customer systems, including interaction with controls, instrumentation, and system-level performance requirements
- Design and engineer new and custom products following the New Product Development (NPD) process
- Develop CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, and complete engineering documentation
- Perform engineering analysis, including FEA, and validate designs through prototype testing
- Ensure designs meet DFX principles (manufacturability, assembly, reliability, safety, and serviceability)
- Collaborate with Product Engineers, Designers, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to support product realization
- Lead and manage multiple projects, timelines, and cross-functional teams
- Support manufacturing through fixture design, process development, calibration methods, and troubleshooting
- Assist with installation and field support of products as needed
- Participate in design reviews and maintain design control documentation
- Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and continuous product improvement
- Provide technical input for costing, feasibility, and vendor selection
- Develop reports, procedures, and training materials
- Travel to customer sites and other company locations as required
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
- 8+ years of industrial product design experience
- Strong experience in strain gage-based load cell transducer design, testing, calibration, and performance troubleshooting
- Working knowledge of electrical aspects of load cell systems, including Wheatstone bridge circuits, signal output/normalization, and basic signal conditioning principles
- Experience or exposure to experimental stress analysis techniques, including strain gage installation, instrumentation, and data interpretation
- Experience designing with metals including alloy steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
- Strong background in manufacturing processes including machining, welding, fabrication, casting, and finishing
- Experience applying engineered products within complex, customer-specific systems or applications
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of 3D CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred)
- Experience with FEA and correlation to physical testing
- CSWA / CSWP / Simulation certifications a plus
- Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
- Experience with ERP systems (Epicor a plus)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project)
Key Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, particularly in electromechanical measurement systems
- Hands-on capability with test setups, instrumentation, and calibration procedures
- Ability to understand and apply both mechanical and electrical aspects of transducer performance
- Ability to translate theoretical analysis into practical, manufacturable designs
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to lead projects and mentor team members
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and voluntary benefits
- 200 hours of paid time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays
- Generous retirement plan with company match
- Professional development and growth opportunities
- Excellent working conditions in a customer-driven organization
This position requires on-site presence at our Kent, Washington facility; telecommuting is not available. However, reasonable relocation assistance is available.
Rice Lake Weighing Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Rice Lake Weighing Systems is a Substance-Free Workplace and requires pre-employment drug screens.
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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
