Mechanical Engineer - Product Design & Development

Mechanical Engineer - Product Design & Development

Join to apply for the Mechanical Engineer - Product Design & Development role at Valley Craft Industries
.

1 day ago – Be among the first 25 applicants.

Valley Craft Industries, a part of the Ballymore Company, has been doing business in Minnesota for over 70 years. Since introducing the first hand truck with a brake, Valley Craft Industries has become well known for producing material handling, storage, and safety solutions that truly stand the test of time. We help our customers become better organized and to work smarter, safer, and more efficiently.

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Profit sharing
• Vision insurance

• $1,000 Sign‑on Bonus
• Competitive salary based on experience
• PTO
• Nine (9) paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision
• 401(k) plan
• Friendly, collaborative team environment
• Personal and professional growth potential
• Great work‑life balance

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, and production of material handling, storage, and safety‑related products. This role is ideal for a hands‑on engineer who wants exposure to real production hardware, manufacturing support, and product lifecycle ownership. The position emphasizes practical engineering execution, collaboration with manufacturing, and continuous product improvement.

The position will support both our Lake City and Waukesha, Wisconsin plants. Travel requirements will be approximately 10 weeks per year.

• Design and engineer new products and custom solutions.
• Support existing product designs through design updates, documentation changes, and production support.
• Assist with engineering change requests (ECRs/ECOs) and implementation into production.
• Help diagnose production, quality, or field issues and support corrective actions.
• Create and update 3D models, drawings, and BOMs using Solid Works.
• Apply company drawing standards, tolerances, weld symbols, and basic GD&T.
• Maintain accurate part data, revisions, and metadata in PDM and MRP systems.
• Work closely with fabrication, welding, assembly, and quality teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and buildable.
• Support fixture design and basic prototyping as needed.
• Identify potential pinch points, cut hazards, or ergonomic concerns early and help implement improvements.
• Participate in root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Familiarity with Solid Works or similar 3D CAD software.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes (welding, machining, sheet metal, fabrication).
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

• Internship, co‑op, or hands‑on experience in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• Exposure to lift products, material‑handling equipment, or industrial machinery.
• Familiarity with BOMs, revision control, and engineering documentation.

• Hands‑on mindset:
  Interested in how products are built, not just designed.
• Team‑oriented:
  Works well with manufacturing, quality, and procurement partners.
• Adaptable:
  Comfortable handling shifting priorities in a production environment.
• Detail‑focused:
  Understands that accurate documentation prevents downstream issues.
• Growth‑oriented:
  Eager to build engineering judgment through real‑world experience.

This role offers early‑career engineers the opportunity to work on real products in active production, gain hands‑on experience with product design, and develop practical engineering skills under experienced leadership. You’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and engineering that directly impacts manufacturing success.

Flexible work‑from‑home options available.

Entry level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Manufacturing