Senior Mechanical Engineer Industrial Machinery OEM

Job Description

Senior Mechanical Engineer Industrial Machinery OEM

Location: Columbia, TN (100% onsite)

Compensation: ~$125K base + performance bonus potential

Relocation Assistance: Up to ~$10K negotiable

Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Overview:

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to join a leading industrial machinery OEM specializing in the food and snacks manufacturing industry. With approximately 600 machines shipped annually, the pace is fast, the work is dynamic, and the need for engineering expertise is critical.

This role focuses on R&D, product design, and sustaining engineering for capital equipment, requiring a high-energy, technical individual who enjoys taking full ownership of projects from concept to completion. Were looking for a true engineers engineer someone deeply involved with machinery design and manufacturing not a system integrator, plant engineer, or purely supervisory profile.

Key Responsibilities:

Hands-on product design using Autodesk Inventor CAD models and drawings

Lead development of new capital equipment and enhancements to existing machinery

Apply DFM, DFMA, DFSS principles to ensure manufacturability and assembly

Create and release BOMs and detailed engineering documentation

Perform tolerance analyses and ensure compliance with regulatory and internal standards

Conduct design reviews, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning

Support new product development testing, validation, and troubleshooting

Collaborate cross-functionally with vendors, customers, manufacturing, and leadership

Mentor and support Mechanical Engineers and CAD Designers

Travel to customer sites as needed for technical support and project delivery

Manage multiple projects simultaneously with a high level of autonomy

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program

8+ years of mechanical design experience (or 5+ with a Master's) specifically with industrial machinery at an OEM

Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Inventor and experience in PDM systems (Vault preferred)

Deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles and hands-on machine design

Ability to perform structural FEA (preferably using MSC Nastran or similar tools)

Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills

Proven problem-solving skills and ability to manage fast-paced, high-volume workloads

Preferred Experience:

Experience designing heavy machinery, preferably for food manufacturing equipment

Background in electromechanical systems and linear motion-driven designs

Knowledge of combustion device design

Application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ANSI Y14.5 standards

Six Sigma Design for Manufacturing training or certifications

Physical Requirements:

Primarily office environment with occasional visits to the production floor

Must be comfortable working in an industrial setting and performing hands-on troubleshooting

Benefits Highlights:

BCBS Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Employer-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance

Voluntary supplemental life, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity plans

Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) with company match (Fidelity)

Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and travel assistance program

Wellness and fitness incentives, including the Blue Points reward program

Important Notes:

This is a fully onsite role based in Columbia, TN. No hybrid/remote options available.

Only candidates with true OEM machinery design backgrounds and hands-on R&D involvement will be considered.

Full-time

Hybrid remote