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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Automation project engineer - mechanical systems - **Company:** ViCentra B.V. - **Location:** Utrecht, Netherlands - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** 3d Models, Computer-Aided Design, Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks (CAD), Visual Systems, Mttr, Creo - **Published:** August 31, 2026 - **Apply:** https://nl.talent.com/redirect?id=632360478260733912&source=vacant&utm_medium=xml&utm_campaign=marketing&utm_product=vacantnew_bulk&oapply=org_v2026-08&puid=edaaadddddaeadddbdda9ddgeddcadd9ada8bdde9dda9ddgbdd9adddbdadadd7cddf9ddebea3addffddgaed2dddgaddgfddgaddgaddg9ddg6ed3gc9bbb9b3bee3ee33def3de93de83de8gddfgddgfddb3def3dedgdde3ee33de93deg3ee33ee33deg3ee33ee33ee33ee33ee33ee3&pos=5&xml_batch_generation_id=addffe4f-cf09-424b-85c5-abafcea8f25b&falcon=1&pid=af8df0402e26&bpid=512ec6ee7934a73d2878a4f186270b21 ## About the Role * Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a closely related field. * Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in industrial automation, preferably within high-volume manufacturing environments (medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods). * Direct mechanical design and analysis experience with high-speed automation equipment. * Demonstrated experience in the design or assessment of: + Nests and precision fixtures. + Grippers and end-of-arm tooling. + Feeding and orientation mechanisms. + Pick-and-place and transfer systems. + Tooling for automated assembly, inspection, testing or joining processes. + Pneumatic and servo-driven mechanisms. * Experience with the automated handling and assembly of small, sensitive or tolerance-critical components. * Ability to review and critique CAD models, mechanical drawings, tolerance stack-ups, datum strategies and GD&T application. * Experience with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo or equivalent. Full-time CAD design ownership is not required, but the candidate must be capable of critically reviewing and challenging mechanical designs. * Solid understanding of automated assembly machinery, robotics, pneumatics, vision systems, and PLC-based controls. * Direct experience with URS drafting, FAT/SAT execution, and validation in a regulated industry is a strong advantage. * Excellent technical communication skills - able to translate between operational needs and supplier technical language. * Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to review and critique mechanical designs and drawings. * Project management discipline - capable of managing timelines, budgets, and risks without direct design ownership. * Familiarity with GMP, GDP, and medical device quality systems is a significant plus. * Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to supplier sites (~20%). ## Description You will be the technical linchpin between our internal teams and external automation partners. You will directly influence the success of our 5-year automation roadmap by ensuring that each automated system is robust, validated, and fully integrated into our production environment. Your work will enable us to achieve: * Significant improvements in production efficiency and throughput. * Enhanced product quality and consistency through reduced human variability. * Scalable manufacturing capacity to meet growing global demand. * Long-term operational cost savings and improved workplace safety. You will not just oversee projects-you will help build the automated foundation of our future factory. What you'll take on In this role, you will: * Author comprehensive User Requirement Specifications (URS) with detailed mechanical performance criteria. * Define mechanical interfaces between automated stations: part transfer mechanisms, fixturing tolerances, and thermal management requirements. * Review and technically challenge machine-builder designs for nests, grippers, fixtures, tooling, feeding mechanisms, and the automated handling and assembly of small components. * Specify machine safety systems per international standards. * Conduct critical design reviews of machine builders' mechanical designs. * Review and approve GD&T drawings, ensuring proper application of standards for manufacturability and assembly. * Evaluate mechanical designs for manufacturability and automated assembly. * Develop and execute mechanical test protocols for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). * Work closely with Contract Manufacturer to conduct equipment Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and Validation Testing. * Establish preventive maintenance schedules based on mechanical wear analysis and lubrication requirements. * Create mechanical system. * Develop mechanical acceptance criteria for Contract Manufacturers. * Maintain machine performance dashboards tracking OEE, MTTR, and relevant mechanical performance indicators. ## Related Videos - [What Developers Get Wrong About Application Quality](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/233-what-developers-get-wrong-about-application-quality) - [TresJS a new declarative ThreeJS as Vue components](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/543-tresjs-a-new-declarative-threejs-as-vue-components) - [Design as an algorithm, not as a feature](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/471-design-as-an-algorithm-not-as-a-feature) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Cross platform Augmented Reality development with React Native](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/160-cross-platform-augmented-reality-development-with-react-native) - [Debugging Machine Learning Code](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/71-debugging-machine-learning-code) ## Related Articles - [Best Companies in the Netherlands: Top 25 Companies in 2023 ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/193-best-companies-in-the-netherlands-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [How to Find Tech Jobs in Amsterdam](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/279-how-to-find-tech-jobs-in-amsterdam) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology)