Job Description

Mechanical Design Engineer – Industrial Machinery & Equipment

Location: Southwest Houston, TX (On-site)
Industry: Engineering Design & Manufacturing
Experience: 5+ years in machine design

About the Opportunity

Our client is an established engineering design and manufacturing company that has served the global construction industry for more than 30 years. 

They're looking for a highly experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to lead machine design projects from start to finish. This is a senior, highly independent role. You'll work directly with ownership and the executive team, and closely with sales, field technical staff, and the fabrication shop. You'll own the full design package, including detailed part and assembly drawings, bills of material, sourcing, and bringing new equipment into production.

What You'll Do

Design and Develop Equipment

• Create complete working plans and detailed drawings of parts, sub-assemblies, and full machine assemblies, along with bills of material.
• Design, evaluate, and refine mechanical equipment and systems to meet performance and customer requirements.
• Specify system components and direct design changes so products meet engineering, performance, and regulatory standards.
• Build and test models or prototypes of alternative designs to judge feasibility, performance, and new applications.
• Design test fixtures and apparatus, and develop product testing procedures.
• Write performance requirements for new product development and engineering projects.
• Apply engineering principles to emerging areas such as robotics and process automation.

Evaluate and Solve Problems

• Review design proposals and specifications from customers, sales, and leadership to assess feasibility, cost, and maintenance needs.
• Research and analyze the design, operation, and performance of equipment, components, and systems.
• Investigate equipment failures, diagnose root causes, and recommend corrective actions or design modifications.
• Study manufacturing processes and equipment layouts to improve efficiency.

Lead Projects Through Production

• Plan and coordinate the integration of new machinery and equipment into manufacturing processes.
• Oversee fabrication, production, and procurement, including choosing manufacturing methods.
• Source machines and components from outside suppliers, including overseas manufacturing vendors.
• Prepare cost estimates and bids for engineering projects.
• Oversee installation, operation, and maintenance so equipment performs to specification.
• Establish maintenance schedules, safety procedures, and material supply plans for equipment upkeep.

Collaborate and Lead

• Partner with ownership, sales, field technical advisors, and fabrication personnel on design direction and project execution.
• Share customer feedback and product insights with fellow engineers and leadership.
• Provide technical support to customers.
• Supervise production workers, technicians, and engineers as projects require.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electromechanical engineering.
• 5+ years of documented machine design experience.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics.
• Proven ability to manage complex design projects independently from concept through production.
• A portfolio of machine design work (electronic or printed) that you can share during the interview process.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing hydraulic equipment or automated production lines.
• Background sourcing components or machines from overseas manufacturers.
• Experience supervising technicians or engineering staff.
• SolidWorks certification.

Why This Role

• A senior position with direct access to ownership and real influence over product direction.
• Full ownership of equipment design from concept to production floor.
• Work at an innovative, patent-driven manufacturer with more than 30 years in the industry.
• A stable company with significant in-house fabrication and production capability.