Mechanical Engineer (CH)

Job description

Ajax Systems is looking for an experienced **Mechanical Engineer** to join our team. Ajax Systems is a developer and manufacturer of advanced security systems with smart home capabilities. We are a full-cycle product company from idea and engineering to mass production. Our portfolio includes 70+ devices that protect properties from intrusion, fire, and flooding, while also enabling smart control of electrical appliances. Today, Ajax Systems protects over 2 million users in 169 countries worldwide and has received Europe’s highest security awards. We are proud to be a Ukrainian success story, a company driven by innovation, resilience, and strong engineering culture. ### Key Tasks: - Complete lifecycle design of plastic enclosures and mechanical assemblies for consumer electronics. - Development of DFM- and DFH-oriented solutions considering mass production processes (plastic injection molding, assembly, sealing, serviceability). - Collaboration with hardware and embedded engineers, industrial designers, technologists, quality control, and manufacturing departments. - Design of ergonomic, intuitive solutions adaptable to different operating environments. - Preparation of production transfer documentation (2D drawings, specifications, technical requirements, 3D models for molds). - Support of mold development and approval of modifications after initial mold trials (T0–T2), including defect analysis. - Participation in testing and feedback from prototypes and production, incorporating design improvements. - Verification of engineering compliance of the finished product with expected technical parameters (stiffness, assembly, weight, IP protection). - Oversight of the product lifecycle from concept to mass production, including cost analysis and assessment of the impact of design decisions on production costs. - Communication with Chinese factories: technical specifications, drawing reviews, change control, feedback on prototypes and production samples. - Assessment of manufacturing risks in China: equipment limitations, mold quality, shrinkage, production tolerances, and the influence of packaging and logistics on design. - Inspection of samples from China: defect analysis (shrinkage, warping, poor casting), initial product assembly, and reporting with recommendations. - Consideration of potential scaling difficulties in China: timeline tracking, mold duplication, and price optimization. - Continuous communication via email, video calls, document comments (in English), and participation in editing specifications based on feedback from the Chinese side. ### Technical Knowledge and Skills: **🧩 3D Modeling & Design:** - SolidWorks (95% solid modeling, 5% surface modeling), basic sheet metal modeling knowledge. - Creation of precise assemblies, constraints, tolerance verification, and preparation of models for molding production. - Ability to break down complex projects into sub-units, using reference geometry and configurations. **🏭 DFM / DFA / Manufacturing:** - Knowledge of mold design: opening directions, gating points, parting lines, risks of short shots/air pockets. - Optimization for scalability and cost reduction (minimize part count, reduce weld lines, shorten cycle time). - Experience working with factories in Ukraine and China; understanding of the mold lifecycle; participation in modifications after T1/T2. - Basics of metal processing technologies: bending, stamping, laser cutting, milling for internal frames and auxiliary parts. - Understanding of Chinese manufacturers’ practices: interpretation of drawings, overlooked details, confirmation processes. - Understanding of the Chinese production structure: project managers, engineers, suppliers. - Active participation in mold development discussions: steel selection, cost estimation, gating points, parting lines. - Familiarity with typical Chinese documentation formats: PDFs, STEP files, Excel specifications, compressed archives, WeTransfer/Alibaba Cloud. **🧪 Testing & Prototyping:** - Manual inspection, assembly, and analysis of critical nodes. - Identifying and resolving sealing, play, and fit issues. - Skilled in the use of measuring tools: calipers, micrometers, gauges, etc. **🧠 Materials Science & Standards:** - Properties of ABS, PC, PC+ABS, PA+GF, TPE, and TPU: shrinkage, impact strength, heat resistance, and elasticity. - Understanding material behavior during production and operation (temperature, humidity, UV). - Balancing cost, quality, and manufacturability when selecting materials. **⚙️ Functional Elements:** - Development of fasteners, clips, guides, seals, TPE/TPU elements, and mounting slots. - Design of interface elements: buttons, indicators, light guides, ports, and ventilation openings. - Knowledge of sealing methods and IP protection standards (IP54–IP67), heat dissipation, and battery compartment design. - Considering Chinese factory constraints: wall thickness, micro gaps, welding, and assembly limitations. - Designing for high repairability and ease of assembly in outsourced Chinese facilities. **📄 Documentation & Production Support:** - Generation of complete documentation bundles: 2D outlines, tolerance tables, BOMs, assembly specifications. - Implementation of changes based on prototype or production feedback. - Participation in preparing technical descriptions for QC, assembly instructions, and design documentation control. **🌐 Communication & Tools:** - English B2+ level – oral and written technical communication with Chinese suppliers. - Experience in communication with Chinese engineers, managers, and production teams (via Alibaba, WeChat, email, video calls). - Knowledge of Chinese business communication nuances: importance of confirmations, repetitions, and visual examples. - Use of SolidWorks PDM, Excel, Google Docs, Asana/Trello/Notion for project management.