Mechanical Engineer — Design Quick Connect Mounting Solution for Food-Grade Water Reservoir - Contract to Hire

We're a consumer electronics brand (SYPS Hydration) building compact hydration appliances. We need a mechanical engineer to design a mounting solution for a non-threaded quick connect fitting in a hard-walled water reservoir.

• *The Problem:**

We need to securely mount a non-threaded quick connect fitting into our hard reservoir using a solution that is watertight, food-safe, and optimized for fast assembly during production. We have existing grommets that may work as part of the solution, but we're open to the best approach.

• *Constraints & Requirements:**

• All materials must be food-grade / potable water safe (FDA compliant)

• Strongly prefer a solution using common, off-the-shelf hardware (bulkhead fittings, grommets, O-rings, retaining clips, etc.) to avoid custom tooling costs

• If custom hardware is required, that's acceptable — but please justify why off-the-shelf won't work

• Solution must be designed with assembly time in mind — we're building at 1,000+ unit volumes and need something a line worker can install quickly and consistently

• Must create a watertight seal under normal use conditions (low pressure, gravity or pump-fed)

• Must be compatible with the existing reservoir geometry and grommet (CAD files will be provided to selected candidates)
• *Deliverables:**

• *What We'll Provide:**

• CAD files of the reservoir and existing grommet

• Quick connect fitting specs

• Context on the product and how the reservoir fits into the overall assembly

• Feedback and iteration as needed

• parts for prototyping (reservoir, quick connect, existing grommets)
• *Ideal Candidate:**

• Experience with product design for consumer hardware or appliances

• Familiar with food-grade material requirements and sealing solutions

• Practical DFM mindset — you think about assembly time, cost, and sourcing, not just geometry

• Comfortable working in SolidWorks (preferred) or can deliver clean STEP files

• Responsive communicator — this is a focused project, not a long engagement
• *Budget:** $200–$500 fixed price (scope-dependent — if your approach requires more, explain why in your proposal)
• *Timeline:** Looking to finalize within 1–2 weeks
• *To Apply:**

Please include in your proposal:

We'll share CAD files with shortlisted candidates before starting.