Mechanical Engineer Needed to Design a Portable Adjustable Golf Putting Robot

I am looking for a mechanical engineer to finalize the design of a portable golf putting robot for controlled ball-roll testing. The robot must produce repeatable putting strokes while allowing the primary impact conditions to be adjusted independently. The goal is a simple, reliable, economical machine built primarily from readily available components—not an unnecessarily complicated industrial robot. Required adjustments Impact height: Adjust the vertical impact location between the putter face and golf ball to test low, center, and high face strikes. Dynamic loft: Independently adjust the loft delivered by the putter face at impact. Attack angle: Adjustable from approximately –5° to +5°. Putter-head speed: Multiple adjustable and repeatable speed settings to simulate putts of different lengths. Ball and putter alignment: Provide a repeatable method for positioning the ball and aligning the putter face. Putter mounting: Securely hold a putter and allow different putters or putter heads to be installed and tested. Portability and leveling The complete robot must be movable by one or two people and practical to reposition within a warehouse, garage, indoor putting facility, or outdoor testing location. The design should include: Locking casters, removable wheels, handles, or another practical method of moving the robot Adjustable leveling feet or outriggers The ability to level and stabilize the machine on an uneven floor or outdoor surface A sufficiently rigid and stable base so movement or vibration does not affect test results Compact dimensions that do not interfere with cameras or the path of the golf ball Design approach The machine should use simple mechanisms and readily available parts whenever possible. Appropriate components might include: T-slot aluminum extrusion Standard shafts and bearings Pivots or pendulum mechanisms Belts, pulleys, gearboxes, or direct-drive motors Linear slides or lead screws Off-the-shelf clamps and mounting hardware A basic motor and speed controller A limited number of laser-cut or machined plates I am open to a gravity-powered pendulum, motor-driven arm, or another straightforward mechanism. The engineer should recommend the simplest design capable of producing accurate and repeatable results. The machine does not need an elaborate touchscreen or complicated industrial control system. A basic and clearly labeled method of selecting speed and adjusting the test parameters is preferred. Desired performance Attack-angle adjustment range of approximately –5° to +5° Independently adjustable dynamic loft Repeatable low, center, and high impact locations Repeatable putter-head speed at each setting Minimal mechanical play or backlash Consistent ball and putter positioning Easy-to-read adjustment scales or digital-angle measurement points Quick setup, leveling, adjustment, and calibration Safe operation with appropriate guards, stops, and an emergency-stop provision if motorized The exact speed range, dimensional tolerances, and repeatability targets will be finalized with the selected engineer during the initial design phase. Deliverables Review and refinement of the design requirements Comparison of practical mechanism options Recommended design with an explanation of accuracy, cost, simplicity, portability, and manufacturability Complete 3D CAD assembly Editable native CAD files and STEP files Fully dimensioned fabrication drawings Drawings for any machined or laser-cut plates Complete bill of materials Links or supplier information for readily available components Motor, gearbox, bearing, shaft, and structural calculations where applicable Exploded assembly views Assembly instructions Leveling, alignment, adjustment, and calibration procedures Safety recommendations Final design review and agreed revisions Limited remote support during sourcing and initial assembly Preferred qualifications Mechanical or mechatronics engineering experience Experience designing test fixtures, small machines, sports-testing equipment, automation equipment, or precision mechanisms Strong knowledge of machine design, bearings, shafts, motors, transmissions, rigidity, and backlash control Experience designing with T-slot aluminum extrusion Strong SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor, or equivalent CAD skills Experience producing fabrication-ready drawings and bills of materials Understanding of tolerances, manufacturability, and prototype fabrication Ability to design for simple assembly using commonly available tools Golf or golf-equipment experience is helpful but not required Application instructions Please include: Examples of comparable machines, test fixtures, or adjustable mechanisms you have designed A short explanation of the mechanism you would initially consider for this project How you would independently adjust impact height, dynamic loft, and attack angle How you would make putter-head speed adjustable and repeatable How you would make the machine portable while still allowing it to be rigid and level The CAD platform you use Your estimated schedule and price Your availability for prototype-build questions after the design is completed Please begin your proposal with the words “PUTTING ROBOT” so I know you reviewed the complete description. Confidentiality and ownership The selected engineer may be required to sign an NDA before receiving the complete testing concept. All paid CAD files, drawings, calculations, specifications, source files, and other project work must be delivered to the client with full ownership. The project may not be publicly disclosed or included in a portfolio without written permission.