Mechanical Designer - Automation & Integration
About the job
- Three to five years of mechanical design experience in automation, equipment design, or custom manufacturing environments.
- Proven experience taking designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, and installation.
- Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or custom mechanical systems.
- Strong proficiency in computer-aided design software, with SolidWorks preferred; AutoCAD or equivalent is a plus.
- Solid understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing and creation of production-ready drawing packages.
- Experience with sheet metal, machining, welding, and additive manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with system layout considerations including access, safety, and maintainability.
- Experience selecting and integrating off-the-shelf components such as actuators, linear systems, and sensors.
- Working knowledge of cable management, pneumatic routing, and general system integration practices.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
- A computer-aided design certification, such as SolidWorks certification.
- Familiarity with applicable safety standards such as ANSI, ISO, and OSHA.
- Develop three-dimensional models and detailed fabrication drawings for automation systems, tooling, fixtures, guarding, and structural assemblies using computer-aided design software.
- Design components and assemblies for manufacturability, cost, and durability, including sheet metal, machined parts, and welded structures.
- Create and maintain bills of materials to support sourcing and procurement.
- Apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing principles to ensure designs are manufacturable, inspectable, and repeatable.
- Perform engineering analysis, such as finite element analysis or hand calculations, to validate structural integrity and safety factors where applicable.
- Develop full system and cell layouts accounting for equipment footprint, operator interaction, maintenance access, and safety requirements.
- Define and document tooling interfaces, mounting schemes, and changeover strategies.
- Collaborate with controls and electrical teams on routing for cables, pneumatics, sensors, and input/output components.
- Design for efficient assembly and installation and identify opportunities to simplify field deployment.
- Present design concepts, layouts, and models to internal stakeholders and customer teams for review and alignment.
- Incorporate customer feedback, site constraints, and application requirements into design revisions.
- Account for facility layout, floor loading, clearances, and existing equipment interfaces.
- Support project handoff by delivering accurate and complete documentation packages, including drawings, bills of materials, manuals, and as-built updates.
- Contribute to reusable design standards, components, and libraries.
- Follow and help improve internal design practices, templates, revision control, and file management processes.
- Identify recurring design challenges and help implement standardized solutions to improve efficiency and consistency.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering and integration teams.
- Experience working in regulated or high-compliance industries.
- Experience with simulation or layout validation tools.
- Background in automation applications such as assembly, material handling, machine tending, or inspection systems.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality deliverables.
- Collaborative and team-oriented with clear communication skills.
- A practical, solutions-oriented mindset with a focus on execution.
About the company
SunSource distributes fluid power components and systems to OEMs, MROs, and mobile industrial equipment users. It provides design and engineering support, supply chain optimization, productivity solutions, value-added services, and repair capabilities. The products are delivered through a national network with strong local presence, combining technical expertise with customer service to offer cost-effective, maintenance-reducing solutions. SunSource differentiates itself through its long track record (85+ years), comprehensive engineering and repair services, and a focus on helping customers boost productivity while lowering operating costs. The company aims to deliver high-quality products and services, foster growth for its associates and partners, and build lasting customer relationships through technical support and reliable service.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Windsor, California
Founded
2001
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Vytl expands SunSource into chemical, marine, and downstream-energy end markets.
- SunSource’s 240-plus North American locations strengthen local service and parts fulfillment.
- MDM estimated fiscal 2025 revenue above $2 billion, supporting acquisition-funded growth.
What critics are saying
- SunSource’s June 2026 data breach exposed Social Security numbers, IDs, and health data.
- CD&R’s August 2026 takeover raises integration risk after the January 2026 Vytl acquisition.
- Applied Industrial Technologies still leads fluid power scale, squeezing SunSource pricing and share.
What makes SunSource unique
- SunSource ranked No. 1 in Hose and No. 1 in Fluid Power in 2026.
- SunSource acquired Vytl Controls on January 30, 2026, adding flow-control repair capabilities.
- CD&R completed SunSource’s majority-stake acquisition on August 19, 2026, backing roll-up expansion.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
401(k) Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
5%1 year growth
5%2 year growth
5%SunSource acquires Vytl Controls from middleground capital. Vytl was formerly known as PVI Holdings and further strengthens SunSource's flow control capabilities. Fluid power, process, conveyance and industrial automation components distributor SunSource has acquired Vytl Controls Group from private equity firm MiddleGround Capital. MiddleGround announced its sale of Woodlands, TX-based Vytl - previously known as PVI Holdings - in a Jan. 30 news release. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. SunSource actioned the acquisition through an undisclosed subsidiary. Vytl Controls Group operates globally in the distribution, service & repair and design and manufacturing of flow control solutions servicing MRO applications across chemical, downstream energy, marine and other industrial end markets. The company offers both third-party and private lavel products, complemented by in-house engineering and repair services. Vytl operates through three business units: * Setpoint Integrated Solutions, a distributor of valves, actuators, and instrumentation primarily serving the chemical and downstream energy markets; * W&O Supply, a global distributor of technical flow control products and solutions to the military and commercial maritime sectors; and * AT Controls, a designer and manufacturer of valves, actuators, and process control accessories for a wide range of industrial applications. MiddleGround rebranded the company from PVI Holdings to Vytl to unify the company's operations and integrate an improved go-to-market structure. "The Vytl team has effectively operated and integrated these three businesses from a leadership, systems and organizational perspective to expand their collective capabilities," MiddleGround Founding and Managing Partner John Stewart said. "Achieving this outcome amid a complex economic environment reflects the strength of the management team and demonstrates the application of our hands-on, operationally focused investment approach." MiddleGround emphasized its investments in Vytl's centralized technology, strengthened leadership and corporate functions, and standardized processes across operations - positioning Vytl as a comprehensive flow control platform connecting suppliers and customers. "MiddleGround has been a valued partner to Vytl over the past several years," Vytl CEO Matt Bate added. "Their deep operational expertise and strategic guidance have been instrumental in supporting our efforts to strengthen relationships across the process solutions value chain. We're excited to build on this foundation by advancing our unified go-to-market strategy, broadening our product offerings and exploring opportunities in additional end markets and geographies." MiddleGround acquired Vytl in July 2022 through its second fund, MiddleGround Partners II, which closed in August 2021 with $800 million of committed capital. Vytl represents the firm's fifth portfolio company exit since inception and the second exit from MiddleGround Partners II, LP. Solomon Partners served as lead financial advisor to MiddleGround Capital and Vytl Controls Group, with Baird serving as co-advisor and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acting as legal counsel. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal counsel to SunSource in connection with the transaction. SunSource's national footprint includes more than 240 locations across North America. Founded in 1922, the company was No. 1 on MDM's 2025 Top Distributors List for Hose & Accessories, No. 2 for Fluid Power and No. 15 for Industrial Supplies.
MiddleGround Capital has completed the sale of Vytl Controls Group to an affiliate of SunSource, a value-added industrial distributor. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Vytl operates globally in distribution, service and manufacturing of flow control solutions serving chemical, energy, marine and industrial markets. The company operates through three business units: Setpoint Integrated Solutions, W&O Supply, and AT Controls. During MiddleGround's ownership, Vytl implemented a unified strategy, centralised technology, strengthened leadership and standardised processes across operations. MiddleGround acquired Vytl in July 2022 through its second fund. This marks MiddleGround's fifth portfolio exit since inception and second from MiddleGround Partners II. Solomon Partners served as lead financial advisor, with Baird as co-advisor.