Job Description
Role: Senior Mechanical Designer – R&D Engineering
Reports To Engineering Manager
Kovatera Inc. is a privately-owned Canadian corporation. We specialize in the engineering, design, manufacture and sales of fit-for-purpose, small footprint utility vehicles. Kovatera provides aftermarket product support both directly and through its authorized worldwide dealership network.
We are ISO 9001:2015 registered and adhere to a comprehensive health and safety program. Our on-site engineering philosophy is to engineer vehicles that have the lowest Total Cost of Ownership for our customers given the harsh environments our vehicles work in.
Base salary range: $95,000 - $120,000 plus benefits
The Senior Mechanical Designer will primarily support R&D and new product development, taking projects from concept through detailed design, prototype, testing, validation, and production release. The role requires strong mechanical design capability, clear technical communication, disciplined documentation, and an evidence-based engineering approach. Occasional support to Production Engineering will be required for complex design-related issues.
Key Responsibilities
· Lead mechanical design for new vehicles, systems, structures, attachments, and product improvements.
· Develop concepts, layouts, 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, BOMs, specifications, and release documentation.
· Design fabricated structures, weldments, sheet metal, machined components, mounting systems, guarding, and mechanical assemblies.
· Apply design-for-manufacturing, assembly, serviceability, reliability, safety, cost, and maintainability principles.
· Perform engineering calculations and support FEA, structural analysis, ROPS/FOPS development, prototype testing, and validation.
· Plan and participate in design reviews, DFMEA, risk assessments, test plans, verification, and validation activities.
· Integrate mechanical, hydraulic, driveline, and purchased components into complete vehicle systems.
· Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners on technical requirements, prototypes, manufacturability, and design improvements.
· Support prototype builds and resolve fitment, packaging, fabrication, assembly, and test issues.
· Investigate field, warranty, and test findings and develop practical, technically justified design improvements.
· Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior designers and technologists.
· Provide occasional Production Engineering support for complex design-related production issues, NCRs, and drawing clarification.
Engineering Reporting & Evidence-Based Practice
· Prepare concise engineering reports, design summaries, technical justifications, test reports, and recommendations.
· Document design assumptions, technical uncertainties, alternatives considered, calculations, test evidence, results, and conclusions.
· Ensure engineering decisions are supported by facts, analysis, test data, standards, field evidence, or clearly documented engineering judgement.
· Communicate technical risks, project status, findings, and recommendations clearly to management and cross-functional teams.
R&D / SR&ED Project Administration
· Maintain organized, contemporaneous records for R&D and SR&ED projects, including objectives, technical uncertainties, experimental work, iterations, test evidence, and engineering hours.
· Maintain traceable project files including drawings, calculations, meeting notes, test data, photographs, revisions, and technical conclusions.
· Support preparation of technical summaries and evidence required for SR&ED submissions, reviews, and audits.
· Work with Engineering Management and Finance/Administration to ensure SR&ED records are complete and maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
· Kovatera Inc. - Senior Mechanical Designer - R&D Engineering
Technical Qualifications & Skills
· Diploma or degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
· Minimum 8 years of mechanical design experience, preferably in heavy equipment, mining, off-highway vehicles, or another OEM environment.
· Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Inventor or comparable 3D mechanical CAD software.
· Strong experience with large assemblies, fabricated structures, weldments, sheet metal, machined parts, and mechanical systems.
· Strong knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerancing, welding symbols, materials, fabrication, machining, and assembly processes.
· Ability to perform practical engineering calculations and select mechanical components, fasteners, bearings, bushings, and related hardware.
· Experience with BOMs, ERP/MRP systems, engineering change processes, and controlled technical documentation.
· Experience with DFMEA, root-cause analysis, testing, and design validation.
· Experience with mobile equipment, hydraulics, driveline systems, FEA, ROPS/FOPS, or relevant CSA/ISO/SAE standards is an asset.
· P.Eng. registration through PEO, or eligibility for registration, is considered an asset.
· Previous experience supporting SR&ED documentation or technical claim preparation is strongly preferred.
Communication, Organization & Leadership
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong technical writing and presentation ability.
· Ability to explain complex engineering issues clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
· Strong reporting discipline with clear, factual, evidence-based recommendations.
· Excellent organization and administration skills with strong attention to detail, traceability, and follow-through.
· Ability to manage multiple R&D projects and priorities while maintaining accurate project records.
· Ability to work independently, take ownership of assignments, and provide regular project updates.
· Practical problem-solving ability with a strong understanding of design-for-manufacturing and real-world production constraints.
· Ability to mentor junior personnel and contribute to engineering standards, processes, and continuous improvement.
Role Focus
Primary: R&D engineering, new product development, vehicle architecture, mechanical design, prototyping, testing, validation, technical reporting, and SR&ED project documentation.
Secondary: Occasional Production Engineering support for complex design-related issues requiring R&D expertise.
If you are interested in joining Kovatera and contributing to the development of underground mining equipment, please submit a cover letter and resume to Jay Trivedi, Engineering Manager, at jtrivedi@kovatera.com.
