Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

The Mechanical Design Engineer plays a key role in the design, development, and continuous improvement of heavy-duty industrial and hydro-excavation equipment. This position ensures that customer and operational requirements are met through robust system design, validation testing, and performance analysis. Acting as a central technical resource, the engineer collaborates closely with manufacturing, quality, sales, and marketing teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective equipment to market.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new systems and components for hydro-excavation and other heavy-duty industrial equipment, while refining and improving existing product designs.
• Collaborate with sales and production teams to configure existing designs to meet customer specifications and reduce engineering time-to-market.
• Apply standard and modular design methodologies to optimize product performance, durability, and manufacturability.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to maximize production efficiency, validate design accuracy, and support lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Conduct validation testing and failure analysis to ensure high performance, reliability, and product quality.
• Create and maintain design templates, detailed drawings, and engineering documentation to support throughput and ensure consistency across product lines.
• Work with R&D and Product Management to integrate usability, durability, and market competitiveness into new equipment designs.
• Support field teams and customers by providing troubleshooting assistance and technical expertise on mechanical and system issues.
• Gather, interpret, and communicate customer and end-user feedback to drive product enhancements and inform strategic development planning.
• Ensure all designs comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, and safety standards relevant to heavy-equipment manufacturing.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, maintaining alignment with schedules, priorities, and budget requirements.
• Travel as needed for customer site reviews, prototype evaluations, and field testing activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with Electrical or Industrial Design considered.
• 3–5 years of experience in mechanical or systems design, preferably within heavy-equipment or related manufacturing environments.
• 2–4 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with heavy equipment experience preferred.
• Proficiency in 3D parametric modeling software such as Solid Works or Inventor.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical design, new product development, and 3D modeling.
• Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including design and integration of hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Ability to perform FEA (finite element analysis) to support structural and performance validation.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar CAD tools for engineering drawings and layouts.
• Strong analytical, creative, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, project-driven environment as a self-starter.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with electromechanical systems in heavy equipment or related applications.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma practices.
• Experience with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies.
• Experience with 3D printing for prototyping and design validation.
• Exposure to CFD (computational fluid dynamics) for fluid flow and thermal analysis.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability and design for assembly principles.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with R&D, Product Management, manufacturing, sales, and field teams.
• Comfort with managing multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities.

Work Environment

This role operates in a dynamic, project-driven engineering and manufacturing environment focused on heavy-duty industrial and hydro-excavation equipment. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams on the shop floor and in office settings, using tools such as Solid Works, Inventor,…