Mechanical Design Engineer

About this position

About VES-Artex

VES-Artex is a leading provider of innovative airflow solutions, committed to delivering customer-focused products that empower industries. While maintaining our strong presence in the dairy sector with reliable commodity products, we are expanding into high-growth markets, including e-commerce, poultry, and industrial applications. Our mission is to set new standards of quality and performance, offering premium services for large projects while ensuring operational efficiency for all customers.

We are focused on strategic growth and operational excellence while creating long-term value for our customers, partners, and employees.

About the role

The Mechanical Design Engineer will work in a collaborative team environment developing back-of-the-barn solutions for our customers, with a primary focus on barn layouts, customer drawings, and system integration for ventilation, steel, soaking, controls, and related equipment. The role will translate customer and site requirements into accurate Revit/AutoCAD layouts and installation-ready drawing packages while also supporting mechanical design and product development activities.

What you'll do

• Develop detailed barn layouts and customer drawing packages showing the placement and integration of ventilation, soaking, controls, steel, and related equipment.
• Utilize Revit and AutoCAD to create and maintain 2D/3D barn layouts, proposal drawings, installation drawings, details, and presentation packages.
• Work with sales, estimators, project teams, dealers, and customers to translate site conditions and project requirements into accurate drawing layouts and details.
• Interpret architectural, structural, electrical, and mechanical drawings and coordinate VES-Artex equipment within customer building plans.
• Develop solutions and design products and systems for identified operational needs, including custom equipment within standard requirements to meet customer specifications and industry standards.
• Utilize Solid Works as needed to produce 3D models, 2D drawings, and supporting mechanical design documentation.
• Develop and maintain accurate documentation, including design specifications, customer drawings, installation details, product drawings, and test reports.
• Communicate with contractors and project stakeholders as needed to resolve layout, installation, and field coordination questions.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing and field teams regarding custom designs, specifications, installation requirements, and functional performance.
• Support analysis, troubleshooting, and root cause evaluation of equipment malfunctions or design issues and develop solutions for identified issues.
• Manage engineering change requests and change orders from inception to completion in partnership with available resources.
• Some travel required to complete on-farm site evaluations, field verification, R&D analysis, or other project needs.
• Attend technical trade shows as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in architectural drafting, mechanical design, engineering technology, or a related field required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 1-3 years of experience in drafting, drawing development, building layouts, or a related design role preferred.
• Working knowledge of drafting and architectural practices and methods.
• Experience with Revit and AutoCAD required, with the ability to create and modify detailed building layouts and drawing packages.
• Experience with Solid Works or similar 3D mechanical CAD software preferred.
• Ability to interpret architectural plans, blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate with sales, customers, contractors, and internal teams.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Highly proficient using MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with agricultural buildings, ventilation systems, dairy facilities, or related equipment is a plus.
• Must be comfortable working in a dairy environment with varied environmental conditions.