Design Engineer

Overview

Gladden Equipment Erectors, based in Tracy, California, is a family‑owned mechanical contracting company that has served the food and beverage packaging and processing industry for over 20 years. With more than 1,000 job sites across North America, the company specializes in conveyor and machinery installation, fabrication, engineering, and construction management.

Design Engineer for a full‑time, exempt position, with a salary range of $70,000 – $85,000 annually. The role involves a blend of office work and on‑site travel (approximately 20% of the time).

• Design catwalks, platforms, and crossovers for conveyor systems in AutoCAD.
• Design stainless steel safety enclosures in AutoCAD.
• Handle all aspects of design engineering work for company projects.
• Interpret and markup manufacturing line drawings.
• Review customer RFS/RFP packages and communicate requirements.
• Respond to customer, vendor, and contractor requests.
• Develop designs that meet safety and customer requirements.
• Manage changes and resolve product‑related issues.
• Conduct site audits and complete facility surveys.
• Participate in on‑site bid meetings.
• Requisition and compare material, supply, and rental costs, presenting them to senior management.
• Develop permit drawings for municipal review.
• Create and update Gantt‑chart style project schedules.
• Research industry standard machinery and emerging technologies.
• Maintain and improve company standards (drawings, databases, procedures).

• Business Acumen
• Communication Proficiency
• Customer/Client Focus
• Presentation Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Written Skills
• Project Management
• Results Driven
• Multitasking
• Technical Capacity
• Thoroughness
• Time Management

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years of design engineering experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Two years of AutoCAD experience.
• Preferred:
  Master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• Technical knowledge and practical project management experience.
• Two years of experience in a high‑speed packaging, equipment sales, or system design environment.
• Manufacturing field experience, especially in the food and beverage industry.
• Background in a production environment such as project engineering, maintenance management, or production management.
• Two years of Solid Works experience.
• Bilingual speaker (English and Spanish).

The role alternates between a professional office environment and manufacturing sites that may be noisy and hot, cold, or wet. Office duties include using computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. On‑site work requires standing, walking, climbing stairs, and using hands and arms. Light lifting of up to 20 pounds is occasional.

Frequent travel (≈20%) to client sites for measurements, installation assessments, and site visits.

This position is currently accepting applications.

Gladden Equipment Erectors, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The company complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. Gladden Equipment Erectors, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Improper interference with an employee’s ability to perform job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.