Senior Mechanical Design- Structures

Job Description

Position Overview:

As a Senior Mechanical & Structural Analysis Engineer, you will play a hands-on, technical leadership role within the engineering team, contributing to the design and development of new, existing, and prototype products. This position emphasizes mechanical and structural system design, performance, and reliability, while supporting modularity and standardization across product lines where applicable.

You will be directly involved in drafting and detailing your own designs, sizing critical components (e.g., bearings, motors, gearboxes, connections), and ensuring compliance with the latest engineering codes and standards. Collaboration is key - you'll work closely with internal departments, external vendors, and contractors to deliver high-quality, manufacturable solutions.

This role combines technical depth with mentorship, project execution, and adherence to company values, supporting a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Essential Functions:

Design & Drafting: Plan, conceptualize, and create mechanical and structural designs for new and existing products using 3D CAD software. Develop complete drawing packages including layouts, detailed part drawings, assemblies, and installation instructions with proper GD&T, weld symbols (AWS D14.1/D1.1), and dimensional tolerancing.

Hands-On Detailing: Personally detail and draft your own mechanical parts and large structural weldments (e.g., enclosed box sections, columns, frames), ensuring designs are production-ready and aligned with fabrication processes such as machining, forming, casting, forging, and welding.

Connection Design & Sizing: Engineer and size mechanical and structural connections, including bolts, pins, and welds. Determine appropriate fastener sizes, bolt patterns, and weld configurations based on load requirements, strength, and fatigue analysis.

Rotating Systems & Power Transmission: Design and size rotating components such as gearboxes, shafts, motors, brakes, wheels, shivs, and drums. Perform system-level calculations (e.g., torque, horsepower, load) and collaborate with vendors to select and integrate optimal components.

Bearing Selection: Select and size bearings using industry standards and life calculations (e.g., L10 life) to ensure durability and performance of hoist and rotating applications.

Analytical Support: Perform and review structural analysis using hand calculations and/or FEA. Validate designs for stress, fatigue, strength, and compliance with applicable codes. Typical applications include beams, bolted/welded connections, enclosures, and structural assemblies.

Enclosure & Cab Design: Design large-scale enclosures (e.g., containers, operator cabs) with internal bracing, structural integrity, and integration with mechanical systems.

Design Review & Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and drafters. Check and review engineering drawings and calculations for accuracy, clarity, and analytical support.

Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful system integration. Participate in design reviews, generate technical reports/specifications, and communicate updates with the Chief Engineer.

Additional Responsibilities:

Ensure compliance in all safety, health, and environmental regulations, policies, and procedures for a goal of zero incidents and injuries

Communicate consistently on all activities to appropriate individuals (both internal and external)

Maintain ongoing communication and adhere to all Companywide policies to eliminate and/or reduce exposure to liability

Special projects or work as assigned

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What we are looking for:

Self-motivated and accountable, with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Detail-oriented and capable of interpreting customer specifications and applying industry codes and standards with consistency and accuracy.

Proficient in 3D design environments, with experience using Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar platforms (e.g., Creo). Strong understanding of 3D modeling fundamentals including surfaces, faces, center planes, and assemblies.

Strong understanding of industry standards and experience reviewing designs for code compliance.

Deep mechanical design knowledge, including the full lifecycle of parts being burned, cut/sawn, machined, formed, welded, or produced via casting or forging. Must be able to detail components, define manufacturing processes, and support designs with analytical validation.

Expertise in structural and mechanical connections, including sizing and validating bolted, pinned, and welded joints. Must understand how to select appropriate fasteners, bolt patterns, weld sizes, and configurations based on performance requirements.

Experience with Bill of Materials (BOM) management, both in CAD drawings and within ERP systems.

Familiarity with engineering release processes, including new part introductions and engineering change notices (ECNs), in a structured release environment.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field (e.g., Agricultural Engineering with relevant mechanical/structural design experience).

Note: Degrees in Engineering Technology may be considered with applicable, hands-on industry experience. This position is not intended for manufacturing or industrial engineering backgrounds.

Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in mechanical and/or structural design engineering, including drafting, analytical validation, and component/system sizing.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an unrestricted basis (U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee).

Preferred Education and Experience:

10+ years of experience in mechanical and/or structural engineering roles with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects.

Experience leading small engineering teams or mentoring junior engineers, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Work Environment:

This is primarily a sedentary office classification and employees work in an office with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances

Minimal travel required- up to 10% domestic and international travel requirements.

Location: Hazel Crest, IL

Physical Demands:

The position occasionally bends, stoops, reaches, pushes and pulls drawers to retrieve and file information and lifts and carries reports, records, and other materials that typically weigh less than 30 pounds

Compensation/Benefits:

We foster a collaborative team environment that values innovation and encourages creative solutions to drive positive organizational impact. Our employees are the key to our success and help us stand out from our competitors. The base pay range for this role depends on the experience. The final compensation offer may vary based on factors such as experience, education, skills, and location. We offer competitive pay, paid time off, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Full-time