Mechanical Project Engineer

Job Title:

Mechanical Project Engineer

Job Description

This Mechanical Project Engineer role focuses on the hands-on design of material handling equipment, including conveyor systems and related machinery, within complex manufacturing and industrial environments. You will transform facility requirements into engineered solutions that increase capacity, retrofit existing areas for new equipment, and optimize the layout and performance of material handling systems. The position combines mechanical design, project engineering, and on-site engagement, including frequent travel to facilities to assess current systems, develop layouts, and support the transition from concept through handoff to execution.

Responsibilities

+ Design material handling equipment such as conveyor belts, electromechanical machinery, and related systems to meet specific facility requirements.

+ Develop engineering solutions to add capacity, retrofit inbound and other areas for new equipment, and rearrange existing equipment within manufacturing and warehouse facilities.

+ Create and optimize site layouts, including material flow and equipment placement, to support efficient operations and future expansions.

+ Prepare detailed scopes of work for projects, clearly defining technical requirements, deliverables, and timelines.

+ Write Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and collaborate with vendors for site selection, equipment specifications, and procurement of material handling systems.

+ Produce engineering designs and documentation using AutoCAD (2D) and Solid Works, ensuring accuracy, manufacturability, and compliance with standards.

+ Hand off completed designs to execution teams, providing technical clarification and support through installation and implementation as needed.

+ Travel up to 50% of the time to perform site visits, assess existing equipment and layouts, gather requirements, and validate design solutions in the field.

+ Apply project management skills to plan, track, and deliver projects on time, meeting deadlines and milestones as measured by key performance indicators.

+ Evaluate upstream and downstream impacts when changing components within systems, ensuring machines function effectively together rather than as isolated units.

+ Perform detailed mechanical design tasks such as selecting bearings and shafts, determining appropriate motor sizes, and calculating conveyor speed and strength based on product weight and throughput requirements.

+ Assess existing material handling equipment on-site to determine whether to design complete new systems or add-on solutions to current equipment.

+ Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including engineering, operations, and vendors, to align design solutions with operational needs and constraints.

+ Support line implementation or launch projects by designing new layouts of equipment and retrofits for automation and material handling lines.

+ Maintain a strong focus on design quality and practicality, ensuring that solutions are robust, efficient, and suitable for high-volume industrial environments.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, industrial, electrical, or manufacturing) or equivalent engineering education.

+ 5-7 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial design environments, with a strong emphasis on mechanical design.

+ Minimum of 5 years of experience in design engineering focused on automation, material handling equipment, conveyor systems, or material flow.

+ Hands-on mechanical design experience in a manufacturing setting, not limited to project management responsibilities.

+ Proficiency in AutoCAD 2D for creating detailed layouts, drawings, and site plans.

+ Proficiency in Solid Works for mechanical design, modeling, and documentation of equipment and components.

+ Demonstrated experience in equipment design or machine design, including electromechanical systems and custom machinery.

+ Ability to perform detailed mechanical component selection, such as bearings, shafts, and motors, based on performance and load requirements.

+ Strong understanding of conveyor system design, including calculating required speed, strength, and capacity…