Mechanical Designer in Kitchener

Deep Trekker, a proud member of the Halma companies, is the leading technology platform making complex underwater missions easier than ever before! Our above-ground and underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are used across the world across a variety of applications and users, and we're constantly pushing the next frontier of technology while keeping our designs simple and robust for our customers. Our teams are expanding, and we are currently seeking a versatile and talented Mechanical Designer to join our growing organization.

About the Role

Do you love owning a design from a blank sheet to a product that ships? We're looking for a Mechanical Designer to take a subassembly or product through the full lifecycle — concept, design, prototyping, testing, production release, and sustaining engineering. You'll work in SolidWorks daily, design for the realities of marine and harsh-environment use, and partner closely with electrical engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to get a reliable, manufacturable design out the door. If you like being hands-on with what you design and seeing it through to production, we'd love to hear from you.

Who You Are

• Be helpful — Work closely with electrical engineers, manufacturing, and suppliers, and bring a collaborative attitude to design reviews.
• Be reliable — Own your subassembly or product end to end, and keep BOMs, ECNs, and documentation accurate and up to date.
• Be gritty — Stay steady when a build/test issue crops up or a design needs another pass to get right.
• Be curious — Dig into sealing systems, material choices, and manufacturability the way a puzzle deserves, not just to check a box.
• Be proactive — Spot a cost, reliability, or manufacturability improvement and drive it forward before being asked.
• Be a good person — Act with empathy and respect to build trust and positive energy across the team.

These traits matter as much as technical skill — we can teach the tools, but this mindset is what makes someone great at this job.

What You'll Do

• Design & CAD
  • Create and maintain 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings in SolidWorks for mechanical components.
  • Design for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly (DFA).
  • Select materials and finishes appropriate for marine/subsea or harsh-environment use.
  • Design and specify sealing systems (O-rings, gaskets, potting) for waterproof/pressure housings.
  • Translate requirements/specifications into design concepts and detailed designs.
• BOMs & Documentation
  • Create, structure, and maintain multi-level BOMs (mechanical, and coordinating with electrical/harness BOMs).
  • Manage BOM revisions and configurations across product variants.
  • Ensure BOM accuracy between CAD, ERP, and manufacturing documentation.
• Product Ownership & Project Management
  • Own a subassembly or product from concept through design, prototyping, testing, production release, and sustaining engineering.
  • Support design reviews (PDR, CDR) and stage-gate milestones.
  • Track and report on project schedule/status for owned scope.
• Build, Test & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Assemble and integrate prototype and production units.
  • Troubleshoot design or assembly issues found during build/test and drive corrective actions.
  • Work closely with electrical engineers on mechanical-electrical integration.
  • Interface with manufacturing/production teams to resolve build issues and improve processes.
  • Source and communicate with suppliers.
  • Identify and implement design improvements for cost reduction, reliability, or manufacturability.

Basic Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Expertise in SolidWorks for both 3D modeling and 2D drafting.
• Experience creating and managing multi-level BOMs.
• Demonstrated ownership of a product or subassembly through a full NPD lifecycle — concept through production release.

What You'll Need

• Experience participating in formal ECN processes.
• Physical, hands-on experience building, assembling, and testing mechanical prototypes and/or production units.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/subassemblies simultaneously with minimal oversight.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for design reviews and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing pressure housings, sealed enclosures, or waterproof electromechanical assemblies.
• Experience working with marine-grade materials and corrosion-resistant design practices.
• Experience working directly with machine shops and outside vendors.
• Experience in a startup or fast-paced R&D environment with evolving requirements.

Who We're Looking For

Someone who takes real ownership of a subassembly from concept to production, thrives on hands-on prototyping, testing, and troubleshooting builds, and works well across electrical engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to get a reliable, manufacturable design out the door.

Deep Trekker is an equal-opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should notify us at hr@deeptrekker.com.