Mechanical Designer

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and Eco Chillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team - driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

The Designer, Mechanical, is responsible for creating blueprints, drawings, and 3D models for manufacturing packages related to HVAC systems and components. This role involves collaborating with the engineering team, developing production and installation manuals, and supporting the creation of accurate documentation for manufacturing and assembly to deliver innovative and reliable solutions, with a focus on thermal cooling systems and data center applications.

• Lead the creation and development of complex 3D models of HVAC equipment, assemblies, and components, ensuring design intent, manufacturability, and performance requirements are met.
• Drive advanced sheet metal design work using Solid Works, applying industry best practices and guiding others in proper modeling techniques.
• Oversee and approve complete manufacturing packages, including detailed shop drawings, assembly instructions, and fabrication documentation.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and cross-functional teams, providing technical insight, resolving design challenges, and ensuring documentation accuracy across disciplines.
• Manage and control design data, including revisions, drawings, engineering changes, and bills of materials, with responsibility for ensuring configuration accuracy and process compliance.
• Apply expert mechanical aptitude and strong analytical reasoning, contributing to design feasibility reviews and problem-solving techniques.
• Develop and refine production and installation methodologies, documenting processes step-by-step for manuals and operational guides.
• Create and maintain high-quality installation, operation, and maintenance drawings and instructions, ensuring clarity, compliance, and ease of use for end users and field technicians.

• Advanced proficiency in Solid Works, with the ability to model complex assemblies and set modeling standards for the design team.
• Strong 2D CAD capabilities, including creating, reviewing, and approving detailed drawings for manufacturing and documentation.
• 2-4 years of progressive mechanical design experience, ideally within HVAC, sheet metal, or equipment manufacturing environments, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility and technical ownership.
• Understanding of manufacturing practices and processes, with the ability to guide designers and collaborate effectively with fabrication and assembly teams.
• Comfortable working across office and shop-floor environments, including extended time on CAD systems as well as hands-on interaction with physical components when necessary.
• Able to participate in and occasionally lead manufacturing floor meetings, providing technical support and performing light-duty tasks as needed to validate designs or resolve issues.

• Solid Works certification.
• American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) certification.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing documentation.

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring design accuracy, manufacturability, and compliance with internal and industry…