Mechanical Design Engineer III

Position Purpose:

Mechanical Design Engineers (MDE) at TAIT are responsible for project-based mechanical design work that focuses on specialized machinery, structures, and rigging systems for the entertainment technology industry. MDEs drive innovative technical solutions, while working within TAIT safety and quality processes, as well as leveraging TAIT standard design principles and practices.

As part of the wider mechanical design and engineering team, this role will focus on owning specific subsections of projects, which we call elements. This role is a bridge between associate/entry-level roles (which focus on part-level drawings) and senior/experienced roles (which focus on project-level solutions). The MDE team collaborates across departments (project management, fabrication, procurement, field teams) to ensure project success, from “initial concept” through “opening night.”

Essential Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with project teams to develop innovative and effective technical solutions that align with project objectives and exceed client expectations.
• Plan and execute technical solutions to work within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Apply TAIT design best practices to design for fit and finish, manufacturing efficiency, onsite assembly + disassembly, and packaging.
• Identify and understand the underlying physics of complex problems to create successful technical solutions.
• Identify and prioritize project specific requirements and constraints to drive technical solutions.
• Apply TAIT Project Delivery best practices and processes including design reviews, project team meetings, and use of planning systems/software.
• Participate in client meetings and produce client-facing drawing packages as needed.
• Communicate effectively through hand sketches, 2D CAD drawings and cross sections.
• Efficiently generate robust and clean 3D models to support TAIT’s collaborative design process.
• Produce pitch studies, schematics, storyboards, weight studies, and other supporting tasks to advance the design + engineering process.
• Identify appropriate timing and scale of prototyping to support design + engineering process.
• Recognize aspects of project work requiring engineering rigor to collaborate with internal and external engineering review on assigned project work.
• Identify long lead time items and work with purchasing department to procure project specific components and materials.
• Use custom TAIT CAD tools as appropriate in design and detailing processes.
• Maintain project documentation including drawing redlines and operation manuals as required
• Release assembly and part drawings to be manufactured internal to TAIT as well as through subcontracting vendors using appropriate dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Efficiently solve technical issues as they may arise during fabrication, testing, and/or commissioning.
• Support legacy TAIT equipment as required by project needs and/or support department requests.
• Maintain awareness of standard of solutions within TAIT’s markets, product lines, and platforms.
• Maintain awareness of TAIT’s markets and competition.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS/BFA in technical theater, engineering, architecture, industrial design, product design, and 5+ years of experience working in a related technical field
• Background in 3D CAD modeling
• Experience with custom overhead rigging design, custom machinery design, custom structural design, and/or custom scenic/facade design
• Working knowledge of live entertainment technology, strongly preferred
• Experience working in a short-term, project-based environment
• Success collaborating as part of a cross-functional team
• Ability to be based in the Lititz, PA TAIT headquarters

Preferred Experience:

• Parametric modeling, ideally using Autodesk Inventor
• Building information modeling (BIM)
• Design for manufacture (DFM), especially aluminum structures and electro-mechanical machines
• Rigging, especially theatrical rigging, arena rigging, performer flying, or catenary systems
• TAIT markets, especially concert touring and theme parks
• TAIT technology, especially winches, trolleys, and other overhead machinery/structures

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and peripheral vision. The employee regularly operates a computer, including typing, using a mouse or keyboard, and viewing the screen for extended periods.

While the role does not require regular lifting or physical exertion, there may be occasional onboarding programs or training opportunities that create opportunities for more exposure to physical tasks or new environments (sites, venues, etc.)

Work conditions of the role are:

• Work conditions may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as dirt, dust, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require following basic safety precautions.
• Must be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to work within or visit areas where required. This includes, safety glasses, reflective vest, ear plugs, safety toed shoes, and other PPE as required by the location.

TAIT Benefits:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions (HDHP plans)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical & Dependent Care)
• Employer-paid life insurance with optional supplemental coverage
• Employer-paid Short-term with optional long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness stipends
• Voluntary benefits (e.g., accident, critical illness)
• Paid vacation and 12 holidays

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