Mechanical Design Engineer Needed for Ratchet-Pawl Solenoid Locking Mechanism

We are looking for a mechanical design engineer to design a compact, rugged, manually operated locking mechanism. The application involves a manually operated lever connected to a rotating disc/sector plate. The lever moves through approximately a half-circle motion. We need a mechanism that allows the lever to move freely in the locking direction, but prevents reverse/unlocking movement unless an electrical permission signal is given. *Required mechanism concept:* * Ratchet sector disc attached to the manual lever shaft * Spring/gravity-return pawl that engages with the ratchet teeth * Pawl should allow movement in one direction by riding over the sloped ratchet teeth * Pawl should block reverse movement by engaging with the vertical tooth face * A vertical solenoid should lift/release the pawl only when electrical permission is given * Default condition should be locked/fail-safe: no power means pawl remains engaged * Solenoid should only release the pawl; it should not carry the full manual load * The locking load must be carried by the pawl, ratchet teeth, shaft, and frame *Important functional requirement:* The mechanism should not block the lever while the operator is moving it in the locking direction. It should allow the lever to complete its locking stroke freely. However, once the lever is locked, the operator should not be able to reverse/unlock it unless the solenoid is energized. *Expected deliverables:* 1. 3D CAD design of the complete mechanism 2. Separate part files for: * Ratchet sector disc * Pawl * Pawl pivot/bracket * Vertical solenoid mounting bracket * Base/frame * Lever shaft mounting arrangement * Mechanical end stops 3. 2D manufacturing drawings with dimensions and tolerances 4. Recommended material selection for prototype and final version 5. STEP/STP files and STL files for 3D printing/prototyping 6. Basic assembly drawing and working explanation 7. Optional: simple motion simulation or animation showing: * forward/locking movement allowed * reverse movement blocked * solenoid lifting pawl to permit unlocking *Design constraints:* * Minimum number of components preferred * Rugged design suitable for high manual force * Fail-safe default locked condition * Vertical solenoid preferred so the pawl/plunger can return down by gravity, ideally assisted by a spring * Mechanism should be suitable first for 3D-printed proof-of-concept, then adaptable for steel fabrication * Final design should consider field use, dust, vibration, and rough handling *Ideal freelancer:* * Experience in mechanical linkage design, ratchet-pawl mechanisms, locking mechanisms, or industrial machine design * Ability to design for both 3D printing and metal fabrication * Familiarity with solenoid-operated mechanical locks is preferred * Should be able to explain design decisions clearly and suggest improvements