Job Summary

The Mechanical Design Engineer develops and validates sheet metal product designs, tooling and manufacturing solutions that meet customer requirements while supporting efficient, repeatable production. This role translates functional requirements into robust 3D models and drawings, performs engineering analyses such as tolerance stack-ups and structural considerations, and collaborates closely with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure designs are optimized for fabrication, welding, machining and assembly. The Mechanical Design Engineer serves as the technical owner of the design throughout the product lifecycle—driving manufacturability, ensuring compliance with industry standards, mitigating risk through engineering judgment, and supporting continuous improvement across processes and products within a fast-paced contract manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Design & Engineering

Create 3D models, assemblies, and 2D fabrication drawings for sheet metal parts using CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent).
Apply best practices in sheet metal design including bend allowances, K-factors, flat patterns, tolerances, and material selection.
Develop designs compatible with laser cutting, turret punching, press brake forming, welding, and finishing processes.
Perform design revisions and engineering changes based on customer feedback, production constraints, or quality issues.
Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, standards, and internal engineering guidelines.

Manufacturing Support

Collaborate with production, quality, and estimating teams to ensure designs are practical, efficient, and cost-effective to manufacture.
Provide technical support to the shop floor during prototyping, first article builds, and production runs.
Troubleshoot design-related production issues and recommend corrective actions.
Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to reduce cost, scrap, and cycle time through improved design.

Documentation & Data Management

Produce and maintain complete drawing packages, bills of materials (BOMs), and engineering change documentation.
Ensure all drawings and models are accurate, revision-controlled, and released per company procedures.
Interface with ERP/MRP systems to support part setup and production planning.

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Participate in customer meetings to clarify requirements, review designs, and propose value-engineered solutions.
Work closely with sales, project management, and estimating to support quoting and order execution.
Assist in reverse engineering or redesign of customer-supplied parts as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required.
3+ years of mechanical design experience in a manufacturing environment; sheet metal fabrication experience strongly preferred.
Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks experience highly desirable).
Working knowledge of sheet metal fabrication processes, materials, and tolerances.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and customer specifications.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Dane Manufacturing

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Mechanical Design Engineer