Mechanical Engineer

Location: South Haven

Job Title:

Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This Mechanical Engineer role focuses on designing and developing custom industrial machines and equipment for automated manufacturing environments. You will take customer requirements from concept through to fully functional, production-ready systems, including reverse engineering existing parts, improving designs based on feedback, and creating new systems or components to meet specific industry needs. The position requires a high level of proficiency in mechanical design, strong hands-on problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small engineering team.

Responsibilities

+ Work as a project team member to take customer requirements from concept through to fully functional, production-ready custom machines.

+ Design, quote, implement, and troubleshoot custom industrial machines and automation systems.

+ Create layouts, component drawings, and assembly drawings using Solid Works.

+ Perform equipment and system calculations to validate design concepts and ensure performance.

+ Develop and perform hands-on proof-of-concept tests to verify design feasibility.

+ Assist Controls Engineers in developing custom industrial motion control and process control systems.

+ Assist with motor selection and field device selection for custom machinery.

+ Apply sound engineering principles to mechanism and component design, selection, layout, and detailed drawings.

+ Compile and document bills of materials for all projects.

+ Document all project phases and create complete final as-built documentation packages.

+ Check detail and assembly drawings prior to manufacture to ensure accuracy and manufacturability.

+ Oversee aspects of the project manufacturing process, including coordination with vendors, assembly, and testing activities.

+ Assist with Factory Acceptance Testing to ensure machines meet specifications before shipment.

+ Support installation, startup, and Site Acceptance Testing at customer locations as needed.

+ Adhere to established quality standards, project schedules, and budget constraints throughout the project lifecycle.

+ Create build drawings for use in fabricating, machining, and assembling components.

+ Communicate effectively with machine shops and fabrication shops on build procedures and make design revisions as necessary.

+ Visit customer locations for field applications, measurements, and verifications when required.

+ Interpret drawings and specifications supplied by customers and sales representatives and incorporate them into design solutions.

+ Spend extended periods working at a computer to complete drawings, calculations, and other design-related tasks.

Essential Skills

+ At least 2 years of experience in mechanical design; candidates with strong co-op or internship experience directly related to mechanical design and manufacturing may be considered.

+ Proficiency in Solid Works for creating layouts, component drawings, and assembly drawings.

+ Experience designing using 2D prints and interpreting 2D engineering drawings.

+ Practical manufacturing experience with a solid understanding of design for manufacturing (DFM) principles.

+

Experience with pneumatic design for industrial machinery.

+ Ability to reverse engineer customer parts and incorporate feedback to improve designs through changes in materials, layout, or component redesign.

+ Capability to design and troubleshoot complex mechanical functions independently.

+ Strong understanding of mechanical components, mechanisms, and their application in custom machinery.

+ Ability to perform basic equipment and system calculations to support design decisions.

+ Effective written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with internal teams, vendors, and customers.

+ Willingness and ability to work on-site and, when needed, travel to customer locations for field measurements and verifications.

+ Comfort with frequent, extended computer-based work, including CAD and documentation.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with machine design for custom industrial equipment.

+ Fabrication experience and familiarity with sheet metal and machined components.

+ Experience integrating full-motion servo controls with industrial control platforms such as RSLogix 5000, particularly in coordination with pneumatic systems.

+ Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience for evaluating structural integrity and performance of components and assemblies.

+ Experience working with automated food processing or cutting equipment, or other highly specialized industrial machinery.

+ Experience collaborating with Controls Engineers on motion control and process control systems.

+ Experience compiling comprehensive as-built documentation and bills of materials.

+ Interest in ongoing professional development through training resources and online learning platforms.

Work Environment

This is a fully on-site role in a manufacturing facility that produces automated food processing and cutting equipment,…