Mechanical Designer

Mechanical Designer

This Mechanical Designer role leads cross-functional projects that span design, fabrication, validation, and manufacture of complex subassemblies, systems, processes, equipment, and facilities. The position focuses on stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers and silos, with opportunities to grow into a subject matter expert in these products. You will collaborate closely with engineering, suppliers, and customers to develop robust designs, improve existing installations, and support new product development in a growing, stable industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional projects and programs covering the design, fabrication, validation, and manufacture of complex subassemblies, systems, processes, equipment, and facilities.
• Utilize a deep technical understanding in one or more operational areas such as materials science, equipment design, hydraulic systems, air systems, refrigeration, automation, or process technologies to support design activities.
• Design and develop stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers, silos, and related pressure vessels and equipment using 3D and 2D CAD tools.
• Evaluate field installations of tank systems and recommend design modifications to eliminate malfunctions and improve performance and reliability.
• Create detailed 3D models, drawings, and documentation for fabrication, including weld details, sheet metal layouts, and GD&T to support manufacturing.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, production, suppliers, and customers to ensure designs meet functional, safety, and quality requirements.
• Apply knowledge of weld and fabrication processes to ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
• Support new product development initiatives, including the design of larger capacity tanks and innovative tank and silo solutions.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, leveraging lean manufacturing and design for manufacturability principles where applicable.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external customers to gather requirements, present design concepts, and resolve issues.
• Grow into the role of subject matter expert for stainless steel and aluminum trailers, providing technical guidance and mentorship to peers over time.
• Use tools such as FEA (finite element analysis) and strength of materials principles, where applicable, to support stress analysis and structural integrity of designs.
• Contribute to a collaborative, close-knit engineering team environment and support long-term organizational goals and customer relationships.

Essential Skills

• Inventor 3D CAD experience, or related 3D software such as Solidworks.
• AutoCAD 2D CAD experience for creating and editing detailed engineering drawings.
• Mechanical design experience with stainless steel and metal fabrication processes, including sheet metal.
• Knowledge of weld and fabrication processes and their application in product design.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional work with engineering, production, suppliers, and customers.
• Ability to perform 3D modeling and drafting with attention to detail and manufacturability.
• Understanding of ASME-related design principles and pressure vessel considerations as they apply to tanks and silos.
• Minimum of an associate degree in Design or a related engineering field from an ABET-accredited university or college.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a designer, or 0 years of experience as a degreed engineer with strong CAD and mechanical fundamentals.
• Experience with metal fabrication processes, particularly sheet metal and stainless steel components.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for engineering calculations, data analysis, and documentation.
• Experience communicating directly with customers to clarify requirements and provide technical support.
• Experience with FEA (finite element analysis) for evaluating stress, strength, and structural performance.
• Problem-solving skills using 8D, A3, or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Steel tank design, fabrication, and industry knowledge, particularly for tank trailers, silos, and pressure vessels.
• Strong mechanical engineering skillset in strength of materials, stress analysis, fatigue life, heat transfer, and welding.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) for precise dimensioning and tolerancing of drawings.
• Exposure to industries such as dairy, corn starch, and other bulk or mixed products, as well as pharmaceutical and related process industries.
• Willingness to learn and grow into a subject matter expert role in stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers and silos.
• Openness to training as a new graduate, with a commitment to long-term growth and contribution within the company.

Work Environment

This is an onsite, full-time role in a manufacturing and engineering facility that designs and builds stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers, silos, and related equipment. The standard…