Mechanical Design Engineer – Pipeline Equipment

Chicago, IL | Onsite | $83,000–$102,000+

Ready to become the technical expert behind specialized equipment used in critical pipeline applications?

We’re seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to design and engineer specialized hot tap, line stop, pressure vessel, and pipeline equipment. This is a hands‑on engineering role where you’ll take customer and sales requirements and turn them into manufacturable equipment—performing calculations, creating Solid Works designs, selecting materials and seals, and working directly with machining, welding, and fabrication teams.

This position is open due to a planned retirement, creating a unique opportunity to learn directly from a highly experienced engineer with deep knowledge of this specialized industry. The long‑term goal is to develop the next technical expert for the organization.

• $83,000–$102,000+ annual salary, based on experience and technical background
• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM schedule
• 100% employer-paid Health & Life insurance for the employee
  • 50% employer-paid health insurance for family coverage
• 401(k) & Life Insurance
• Profit-sharing program
• Stable, long‑term opportunity with an established organization
• Direct knowledge transfer from a highly experienced retiring engineer
• High visibility and interaction with senior leadership
• Opportunity to become a technical subject‑matter expert in a specialized industry

• 5–7 years of mechanical engineering, mechanical design, or closely related industrial equipment experience
• Strong Solid Works proficiency with the ability to independently create and modify mechanical designs and models
• Experience with pressure vessels, piping, pipelines, pressure‑containing equipment, valves, fittings, or similar industrial equipment
• Ability to perform engineering calculations related to wall thickness, plate thickness, pressure, stress, or similar mechanical design requirements
• Strong working knowledge of metals, material selection, and manufacturing considerations
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and fabrication documentation
• Working knowledge of precision measuring equipment, including calipers and micrometers
• Comfortable working directly with machinists, welders, fabricators, and other manufacturing personnel
• Ability to work fully onsite in the Chicago area
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship
• This position is not open to candidates requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future

Must Haves:

• Translate sales orders and technical requirements into accurate, manufacturable equipment designs
• Create and revise Solid Works models and engineering drawings for specialized pipeline and pressure‑related equipment
• Calculate appropriate material and wall/plate thicknesses based on operating requirements
• Select appropriate materials, components, and sealing solutions based on pressure, temperature, chemical, steam, water, and other service conditions
• Inspect manufactured components and verify dimensions and design requirements directly on the production floor
• Work closely with machining, welding, and fabrication teams to resolve design and manufacturing issues

• Hot tap, line stop, pipeline equipment, natural gas, oil and gas, or pipeline infrastructure experience
• Experience designing pressure vessels, valves, piping components, fittings, or related pressure‑containing equipment
• AutoCAD experience
• Familiarity with ASME and API standards
• Knowledge of pipeline and welding codes, including API 1104 and ASME Section IX
• Familiarity with seal and elastomer selection, including Viton, Buna, EPDM, or similar materials
• Experience with finite element analysis or Solid Works Simulation/stress analysis
• Background working in a machining, welding, fabrication, or custom equipment manufacturing environment
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus

This is an opportunity to step into a specialized engineering position where your designs move directly from your screen to the manufacturing floor. You’ll learn from an experienced technical expert before retirement while building the knowledge and ownership to become the go‑to engineer for a highly specialized product line.

Cassandra Williams