Location: Sydney, NS
Term: Permanent, Full-Time
Anticipated Start Date: As Soon As Possible
Type: In-Office Only
Full transparency: we work a little differently around here.
We build custom sheet metal enclosures faster than anyone in the world — for clients like Boeing, NASA, and MIT. The engineers who thrive here are the ones who take that personally.
This isn’t just another job where you punch in and punch out. We come to work every day because we strive to earn a living in a meaningful way. Too many people exist without finding joy or purpose in their work, and we believe that’s just wrong. After all, we spend at least a third of our lives working—so why not create workplaces where people want to come to work in the morning and feel good when they leave at the end of the day?
At Protocase, your ideas don’t just matter—they shape our future. We thrive on collaboration and innovation, where every voice is heard, valued, and makes a real impact. Does this sound like something you’d want to be a part of and help grow?
Protocase specializes in custom sheet metal enclosures, panels, and parts for engineers and innovators worldwide, built with unmatched speed and quality. We take the impossible and make it possible for some of the brightest minds on the planet.
Learn more about us here: https://workdifferently.info/
About Us
Established in 2001, Protocase Inc. combines advanced software with innovative manufacturing systems to deliver fully custom sheet metal solutions to engineering, research, and aerospace industries. With 400+ employees and over 16,000 customers globally—including Boeing, Raytheon, Google, Apple, Microsoft, NASA, and MIT—we operate with ISO:9001 certification, AS9100D registration, ITAR compliance, and Canadian Controlled Goods registration.
We are growing quickly and investing heavily in the systems and equipment that allow us to scale intelligently.
About the Opportunity
We are hiring one to two Mechanical Engineers to improve and evolve the manufacturing systems that power our speed, precision, and scalability.
This is a manufacturing engineering role focused on process improvement, equipment implementation, automation support, and production optimization — not product design R&D.
Level, scope of responsibility, and compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, technical depth, and demonstrated ability to independently execute projects of increasing complexity.
Depending on your experience and demonstrated capability, you may join us at one of three levels:
Early-Career / Developing Engineer:
You’re building your foundation and ready to grow quickly in a high-accountability environment.
Your focus will be to:
- Support improvement initiatives led by senior engineers
- Assist in tooling and fixture design
- Collect and analyze production data
- Participate in structured experiments and process trials
- Learn equipment capabilities, constraints, and production flow
This level is hands-on and execution-focused, with increasing ownership over time.
Intermediate Engineer:
You’ve independently delivered measurable improvements and are ready to own projects end-to-end.
You will:
- Lead defined improvement initiatives from concept to validation
- Design and implement tooling, fixtures, and station upgrades
- Run structured experiments and confirm results with data
- Diagnose root causes with limited oversight
- Improve throughput, repeatability, and operational efficiency
This level carries clear ownership and measurable performance impact.
Advanced / Senior-Level Engineer:
You think in systems, influence outcomes at scale, and help shape long-term direction.
You will:
- Lead complex, cross-functional manufacturing evolution initiatives
- Drive capital equipment analysis and investment recommendations
- Oversee automation integration projects
- Mentor and elevate junior engineers
- Contribute to long-term manufacturing scalability strategy
This level combines technical depth, strategic thinking, and broad operational influence.
Across all levels, this role requires strong analytical thinking, mechanical intuition, and hands-on execution on the production floor.
You will not simply support improvement — you will help drive it.
About You
We care about how you think, how you execute, and how you take ownership.
You’re likely a strong fit if you:
-
Treat deadlines like commitments
- Think in systems and look for scalable solutions — not quick fixes
- Push beyond surface-level answers to uncover root causes
- Are comfortable working directly with machinery and real production constraints
- Take ownership of outcomes and follow projects through to completion
- Communicate clearly and collaborate well across teams
What You Bring:
-
A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
- Experience in manufacturing, CNC, automation, or production environments
- Strong engineering fundamentals and structured problem-solving ability
- Confidence analyzing data and validating improvements through experimentation
- A hands-on mindset with the ability to translate ideas into implemented solutions
We’re open to a range of experience levels. What matters most is demonstrated capability, initiative, and the ability to execute meaningful improvements in a real-world manufacturing environment.
Why Us?
At Protocase, we believe in recognizing and rewarding hard work and dedication.
Our starting annual total compensation package—including base salary and performance incentives—ranges as follows, depending on experience and scope of responsibility:
-
Early-Career / Developing Engineer: $55,000–$60,000 CAD
- Intermediate Engineer: $70,000–$85,000 CAD
- Advanced / Senior-Level Engineer: $90,000–$110,000+ CAD
In addition, you can look forward to:
Training and Growth: Leadership Training and skills development opportunities, as well as regular coaching and opportunity for growth.
- ️ Comprehensive Health Care Plan and Company RRSP: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, and Group Insurance benefits as well as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan at 6 months of full-time employment.
Community Discounts: Enjoy discounts at local shops and restaurants.
️ YMCA Membership: Access a cost-shared YMCA membership and a Pension Plan after three months of employment.
️ Vacation: Two weeks of vacation, increasing to three weeks after three years, and four weeks after five years.
Social Events: Regular social events, including seasonal parties and monthly lunches.
Lifestyle of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: Live in a community with quick commutes, affordable homes on generous plots of land, beautiful scenery, and friendly people—a lifestyle that marries nature with a vibrant culture.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re excited about the opportunity to make a real impact in the world of custom manufacturing, we want to hear from you. Apply today and let’s start this journey of innovation together!
