Product Designer - Mechatronics - Paris & Cambridge

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Mechatronics - Paris & Cambridge

Company: Tigercat | MacDonald Steel

Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Mechanical Engineering / Product Design

Date Posted: March 06, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop mechanical engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for robust equipment tailored for the forestry industry.

• Create and integrate electro-hydraulic, computer-controlled systems for mobile machines, focusing on operator and service technician interfaces.

• Conduct rigorous testing, including stress analysis, fatigue testing, and control logic validation, to ensure optimal performance and safety.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the product lifecycle, from design to manufacturing and quality control.

• Identify and implement opportunities for design optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvements in mechatronic systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title mentions "Product Designer," the core responsibilities and qualifications clearly indicate a strong focus on Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering within a product development context. The role emphasizes the design and integration of complex systems rather than purely aesthetic product design. The "Paris & Cambridge" in the title appears to be a misnomer as the provided location data points exclusively to Cambridge, Ontario. This enhancement clarifies the role as a technical design position within engineering.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop detailed mechanical designs, drawings, and specifications for equipment intended for rugged terrain, adhering to performance, safety, and industry standards.

• Design and implement electro-hydraulic and computer-controlled systems for mobile machines, integrating hydraulic components, sensors, input devices, and control logic for direct, remote, automatic, or autonomous operation.

• Engineer efficient and user-friendly interface systems for machine operators and service technicians.

• Select appropriate materials and components based on mechanical properties, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturing suitability.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including fellow engineers, manufacturing personnel, and quality control specialists, to ensure seamless design integration into production.

• Perform and analyze tests such as stress analysis, fatigue testing, vibration analysis, and control logic validation to confirm designs meet required performance, strength, and response characteristics.

• Generate comprehensive technical documentation, including design specifications, control logic diagrams, and bills of materials.

• Proactively identify areas for design optimization, cost reduction initiatives, and overall efficiency enhancements within the product lines.

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting support during fabrication and assembly processes as needed.

• Offer field support for equipment troubleshooting and design improvement initiatives when required.

• Undertake occasional travel within Canada and internationally for research, field support, and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are heavily skewed towards mechanical and mechatronics engineering design and system integration. The "Product Designer" aspect is primarily interpreted through the lens of creating functional and user-friendly interfaces and ensuring overall product performance and manufacturability. The emphasis on "rugged and challenging terrain" and "mobile machines" points to a heavy-duty equipment context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• A hands-on, creative, and self-motivated approach with a willingness to tackle diverse and challenging technical tasks.

• Solid understanding of fundamental engineering principles, control logic, mobile computer systems, user interfaces, low-power electrical design, and mobile hydraulic systems.

• Strong problem-solving abilities and a keen mechanical aptitude.

• Effective communication and reasoning skills, essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams on complex projects.

• Adaptability to a dynamic work environment, capable of managing competing demands and unexpected changes.

• Ability to balance aesthetic considerations with practical functionality in product design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with electro-hydraulic systems and computer-controlled systems integration.

• Familiarity with fluid power systems, engine systems, electrical, and electronic systems.

• Experience with drive train systems.

• Proficiency in 3D modeling software, specifically SolidWorks.

• Design experience in welded steel fabrications (manual and robotic welding).

• Expertise in hydraulic cylinders, components, control valves, and plumbing details.

• Experience with diesel engine installations and vehicle drive train transmission/axle component selection.

• Knowledge of designing attachments for seamless integration with heavy equipment, considering load distribution, stress analysis, material selection, and ease of installation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Skills and Experience" section in the original description is quite detailed and covers a broad range of technical competencies. This enhancement consolidates these into more structured "Required" and "Preferred" skill categories, inferring the experience level based on the depth of technical requirements and typical industry progression for such roles. The preference for specific industry experience is highlighted.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase detailed mechanical designs, encompassing drawings, specifications, and material selections for complex machinery.

• Present case studies of electro-hydraulic or computer-controlled systems designed, highlighting integration of hydraulics, sensors, and control logic.

• Include examples of user interface designs for operators and service technicians, demonstrating a balance of functionality and usability.

• Demonstrate experience with rigorous testing methodologies, such as stress analysis, fatigue testing, and control logic validation, with documented results and optimization outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of comprehensive technical documentation, including design specifications, control logic diagrams, and bills of materials for developed systems.

• Documentation illustrating the process of identifying and implementing design optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement initiatives.

• Evidence of troubleshooting processes, including hands-on problem-solving during fabrication/assembly or field support scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on design, development, and problem-solving within mechatronics and mechanical engineering, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of these skills is crucial. This section infers the types of projects and documentation that would be most relevant for a candidate to showcase their capabilities in this engineering design role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Family-Oriented Company Culture with regular social events.

• Competitive Wages and Profit Sharing program, celebrating financial success together.

• RRSP Matching Program to support retirement planning.

• Skills Development and Training Reimbursement for pre-approved industry-related learning opportunities.

• Company-Paid Healthcare Benefits, including coverage for massages, physiotherapy, vision, and more.

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) offering various free programs.

Working Hours:

• Dedicated Day Shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The original job description does not specify a salary range. This estimate is based on research of similar roles in the Cambridge, Ontario area, factoring in the specified experience level and the technical demands of the position. The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing (Forestry, Construction, Material Handling). Tigercat is a leading manufacturer of forestry equipment, known for its robust and durable machinery designed for demanding environments. This industry context implies a culture that values engineering excellence, reliability, and innovation in harsh conditions.

Company Size: Tigercat Industries is part of a larger group, suggesting a significant operational footprint. While exact current figures are not provided, the company's extensive product lines and global presence indicate a medium to large-sized organization, offering stability and opportunities for growth within a dedicated engineering team.

Founded: Tigercat was founded in 1992. This history suggests a company with established expertise and a proven track record in its specialized market, fostering a culture built on deep industry knowledge and continuous product improvement.

Team Structure:

• The role is within an established engineering team, implying a collaborative and structured environment.

• Reporting will likely be to an Engineering Manager or Lead Designer, with close interaction with other mechanical designers, electrical engineers, and system integrators.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on rigorous design validation through testing (stress analysis, fatigue, control logic).

• Data-driven approach to identify opportunities for optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvements.

• Iterative design process, potentially involving prototyping and hands-on troubleshooting.

• Integration of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems to create advanced mechatronic solutions.

Company Website: https://www.tigercat.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Information about the company's founding, industry, and general ethos has been synthesized from the provided text and external knowledge of Tigercat. The "Methodology" section infers typical engineering practices based on the described responsibilities and testing requirements.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Mechatronics Design Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level engineering position (2-5 years of experience inferred). It requires a solid foundation in mechanical and mechatronics engineering principles, with the ability to independently contribute to design projects and collaborate effectively. The scope involves enhancing existing products and driving new developments, indicating a significant level of responsibility.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Senior Engineer, Engineering Manager, or a specific project lead. They will work closely with a team of engineers and designers, and interact with manufacturing and quality assurance departments.

Mechatronics Design Impact: This role has a direct impact on the performance, reliability, and efficiency of Tigercat's heavy machinery. Successful designs contribute to the company's reputation for robust equipment, influencing customer satisfaction, operational uptime in challenging environments, and ultimately, revenue generation through product sales and serviceability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like electro-hydraulic systems, advanced control logic, autonomous systems, or material science for heavy-duty applications.

• Project Leadership: Progress to leading design projects, managing smaller teams, or taking on more complex and critical product development initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Transition into roles in manufacturing engineering, product management, or even field support management, leveraging a comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities for training reimbursement and staying abreast of emerging technologies provide pathways for staying competitive and innovative in the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression and impact are inferred based on the role's description as a "Product Designer - Mechatronics" with an intermediate experience level within a manufacturing company like Tigercat. The focus is on how this role contributes to the company's core business and how an individual can grow within such an organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the Cambridge, ON facility. This suggests a traditional engineering office environment combined with access to manufacturing floor resources for collaboration and troubleshooting.

Office Location(s): 100 Savage Dr, Cambridge, ON. This location places the role within a manufacturing hub, likely offering good accessibility for local candidates.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely involve a combination of desk-based work for design and documentation, and potential time spent on the manufacturing floor or in testing areas to observe, troubleshoot, and collaborate with production teams.

• Access to engineering software (e.g., SolidWorks), testing equipment, and collaboration tools is expected.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with experienced engineers, technicians, and manufacturing personnel will be integral to the daily work.

Work Schedule: Dedicated Day Shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This provides a consistent and predictable schedule, which can be beneficial for work-life balance while ensuring full participation in daily operational activities and team interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment is based on the "On-site" remote status, the specified address, and the nature of a product design role within a heavy equipment manufacturing company. The emphasis is on the blend of office and potential shop floor interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess qualifications against the core requirements, focusing on mechanical/mechatronics engineering background and relevant experience.

• Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve in-depth discussions about your engineering principles, problem-solving approach, and specific technical skills. Expect questions related to mechatronics, hydraulics, control systems, and your experience with design software like SolidWorks.

• Portfolio Review: A critical part of the process where you will present examples of your design work. Be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining your design choices, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved. Focus on projects demonstrating mechanical design, system integration, and problem-solving.

• Team/Manager Interview: An opportunity to assess your fit with the engineering team and company culture. Questions may focus on collaboration style, adaptability, and your understanding of the company's industry and products.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, to discuss your overall fit, career aspirations, and how you can contribute to Tigercat's objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Mechatronics Integration: Highlight projects where you successfully integrated mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic components.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design—e.g., improved efficiency by X%, reduced cost by Y%, enhanced durability, or met specific performance targets.

• Detail Your Process: Explain your design methodology, including how you approach problem definition, concept generation, analysis (stress, fatigue), prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Highlight Software Proficiency: Visually demonstrate your skills in 3D modeling (SolidWorks) and any control logic/simulation software you've used.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Present a specific challenge you encountered and how you innovatively solved it, detailing the technical steps and reasoning.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential technical challenges that might involve conceptual design tasks, problem-solving scenarios related to mechanical or hydraulic systems, or interpreting engineering drawings.

• Practice articulating complex technical concepts clearly and concisely, as if explaining them to a peer or a non-technical stakeholder.

• Prepare to discuss your understanding of the forestry equipment industry and the unique challenges of designing for rugged environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the typical interview process for an engineering design role within a manufacturing company. The emphasis on a portfolio review and technical challenges is standard for such positions. The tips are tailored to the specific technical requirements of this mechatronics role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 3D Modeling Software: SolidWorks is explicitly mentioned and will be a primary tool for mechanical design, part modeling, assembly creation, and generating technical drawings.

• CAD/CAM Software: Potentially other CAD/CAM tools for design and manufacturing preparation.

• Simulation Software: Tools for stress analysis (e.g., SolidWorks Simulation), fatigue testing, and vibration analysis are implied by the responsibilities.

• Control Logic Development Tools: Software for programming and simulating electro-hydraulic and computer-controlled systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: For analyzing test results, performance data, and identifying trends for optimization. This could include Excel, MATLAB, or specialized engineering analysis software.

• Documentation Tools: Standard office suites for creating technical documentation, specifications, and reports.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, understanding how designs integrate with production planning and potentially service management systems would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack inferred are based directly on the "Qualifications" and "Job Duties" sections of the original description, particularly the mention of SolidWorks and the requirement for various types of engineering analysis and testing.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Mechatronics Design Values:

• Engineering Excellence: A commitment to rigorous design, thorough analysis, and delivering high-performance, reliable equipment.

• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies and integrate them into solutions that push the boundaries of machine capabilities in challenging environments.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and working effectively across different engineering disciplines and departments.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying and resolving complex technical challenges in mechanical and system design.

• Quality & Reliability: A focus on designing products that can withstand the harsh conditions of the forestry industry, ensuring durability and minimizing downtime for customers.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnership with manufacturing, quality control, and other engineering disciplines to ensure designs are feasible, manufacturable, and meet all performance criteria.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing technical insights, best practices, and lessons learned to foster continuous improvement.

• Feedback Loops: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback during the design review process to refine solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inferred company values and collaboration style are based on the nature of heavy equipment manufacturing, the specific engineering requirements of the role (mechatronics, design, testing), and the common practices within established engineering teams in such industries.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Extreme Environments: Developing robust systems that can withstand the harsh conditions of the forestry industry (dust, vibration, extreme temperatures, heavy loads).

• Integrating Complex Systems: Successfully integrating electro-hydraulic, electronic, and mechanical components into a cohesive and functional mechatronic system.

• Balancing Performance, Cost, and Manufacturability: Optimizing designs to meet demanding performance requirements while remaining cost-effective to produce and maintain.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in control systems, sensors, and automation technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to training on advanced hydraulics, control system design, automation technologies, and new materials.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend industry events and trade shows to learn about emerging trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced engineers within the team on complex design challenges and best practices.

• Product Lifecycle Exposure: Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entire product development process, from concept to field deployment.

📝 Enhancement Note: These challenges and growth opportunities are derived from the specific industry context (heavy equipment, forestry), the technical demands of mechatronics design, and general career development paths within engineering fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How would you approach the design of a new electro-hydraulic control system for a forestry machine that needs to operate autonomously in challenging terrain? (Focus on system architecture, component selection, safety considerations, and control logic strategy.)

• Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a complex mechanical or mechatronic system. What was your process, and what was the outcome? (Demonstrate problem-solving methodology and technical debugging skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Tigercat and the forestry equipment industry specifically? (Show research into the company's products, market position, and values.)

• How do you approach collaboration with manufacturing and quality control teams during the design process? (Emphasize your understanding of cross-functional teamwork and communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly stating the objective, your role, the technical challenges, your design approach, the tools used (SolidWorks, simulation), the solutions implemented, and the quantifiable results.

• Visuals: Use high-quality renderings from SolidWorks, diagrams of hydraulic circuits, control logic flowcharts, and photos/videos of prototypes or final products in action.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, focusing on how you solved a problem or improved upon an existing design. Explain your decision-making process clearly.

• Relevance: Prioritize projects that best align with the requirements of this role, such as mobile equipment design, hydraulic systems, control integration, and rugged applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are crafted to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, cultural fit, and understanding of the specific industry and role requirements. The portfolio presentation strategy focuses on showcasing practical engineering design capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this mechatronics design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.dayforcehcm.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with mechanical design, mechatronics, electro-hydraulic systems, control logic, and software like SolidWorks. Showcase projects relevant to heavy-duty mobile equipment or similar industries.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your accomplishments using action verbs and quantifiable results, focusing on your contributions to design, problem-solving, and system integration. Include keywords from the job description such as "mechatronics," "mechanical engineering," "electro-hydraulic systems," and "SolidWorks."

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering technical questions related to mechanical engineering principles, control systems, and hydraulics. Prepare to discuss your design process and present your portfolio with confidence, explaining the technical rationale behind your work.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Tigercat's product lines, their position in the forestry equipment market, and their company culture as described. Understand the challenges and demands of operating in rugged terrain environments.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.