Lead Machine Design Engineer​/Engineering Project Lead

A custom machine builder in the Holland, MI area is looking for a senior-level Lead Machine Design Engineer / Engineering Project Lead to support the Engineering Manager and help guide the mechanical engineering team.

This is a unique role for an experienced special machine design engineer who may not want to do detailed design work all day anymore, but still enjoys custom automation, technical problem-solving, project direction, and mentoring other designers.

This person will help oversee the project workload of approximately 8 Machine Design Engineers. They will assist with project priorities, design reviews, technical guidance, schedule awareness, communication, and overall engineering project flow. This is not a full Engineering Manager role. The person will not be responsible for hiring, firing, or annual reviews, but they will help relieve part of the Engineering Manager’s day-to-day responsibilities.

Ideal background includes custom machine design, special machine design, automation equipment, tooling, fixtures, conveyors, mechanical systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, and 3D CAD experience such as Solid Works or Inventor.

• Help direct mechanical engineering projects through the design process.
• Provide technical guidance to Machine Design Engineers.
• Review machine designs for function, manufacturability, cost, and project requirements.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Controls Engineers, Machine Builders, Purchasing, and Manufacturing.
• Support project kickoff meetings, design reviews, customer discussions, build, debug, runoff, and installation.
• Mentor less experienced designers and help improve consistency within the engineering team.
• Assist the Engineering Manager with engineering priorities, project flow, and process improvement.

• Senior-level custom machine design or special machine design experience.
• Strong understanding of automated equipment, mechanical systems, tooling, fixtures, conveyors, and machine build requirements.
• Experience with Solid Works, Inventor, or similar 3D CAD software.
• Ability to guide and review machine designs without needing to be the primary designer on every project.
• Strong communication, organization, project coordination, and leadership skills.
• Background with an OEM machine builder, custom automation company, or systems integrator is strongly preferred.

This is a good opportunity for a senior machine designer who wants to step into a higher-level technical leadership role while staying close to custom machine design and automation projects.

Pay Range: $110,000 - $130,000.

Please send your confidential resume to g