Sr. Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer

Do you have a strong work ethic and the desire to join an organization that invests in its people through cross-training and development? Clark. Dietrich fosters a work-life balance and offers competitive compensation and benefits. Join the Clark. Dietrich team by applying to the Senior Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer position at our one following locations in GA, MD, FL, CT, MO, IL, OK, OH, TX.

SUMMARY: The Senior Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for the design, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment, machinery, and production processes, with a particular emphasis on metal-forming operations. This position combines office-based engineering and AutoCAD drafting with hands-on fieldwork in manufacturing facilities and on production shop floors.

Responsibilities include

developing facility layouts, machine components, and equipment drawings; designing and troubleshooting hydraulic and pneumatic systems; supporting metal-forming equipment and processes; installing and starting up machinery; and investigating and resolving production issues. The successful candidate will possess strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, practical knowledge of industrial machinery, and the ability to independently diagnose problems and implement effective solutions.

This individual will work closely with manufacturing, maintenance, operations, contractors, equipment suppliers, and customers to improve equipment reliability, production efficiency, product quality, and workplace safety. This role requires a hands-on engineering professional capable of taking projects from initial design through installation and successful production startup.

Travel may account for up to 75% of working time, depending on project requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create, modify, and maintain mechanical drawings using AutoCAD. * Develop facility layouts, manufacturing floor plans, equipment layouts, and production line configurations. * Design and detail machine components, mechanical assemblies, equipment modifications, and supporting structures. * Develop equipment installation drawings, fabrication drawings, assembly details, and engineering documentation.

• Design and modify mechanical systems and equipment used in industrial manufacturing and metal-forming operations. * Conduct field measurements and site assessments to support accurate drawings, equipment designs, and installations. * Evaluate existing machinery and facilities to identify opportunities for improved functionality, safety, reliability, and maintainability.

• Review designs for manufacturability, serviceability, accessibility, and compatibility with existing equipment. * Maintain accurate engineering drawings, revision records, and equipment documentation. Hydraulic and Pneumatic System Design and Troubleshooting * Design, modify, and troubleshoot industrial hydraulic and pneumatic systems used in manufacturing machinery and metal-forming equipment.

• Develop and interpret hydraulic and pneumatic schematics, circuit diagrams, and equipment layouts. * Select and specify appropriate pumps, motors, cylinders, valves, actuators, regulators, filters, hoses, piping, fittings, and related system components. * Evaluate system operating pressures, flow rates, force requirements, cycle times, and component sizing to ensure proper equipment performance.

• Diagnose hydraulic and pneumatic problems, including pressure loss, leakage, overheating, inconsistent motion, slow cycle times, inadequate force, and component failures. * Investigate root causes of system malfunctions and implement corrective actions to restore performance and prevent recurrence. * Optimize hydraulic and pneumatic circuits for reliability, efficiency, controllability, and ease of maintenance.

• Support installation, commissioning, adjustment, and testing of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment. * Work with maintenance personnel and equipment suppliers to resolve complex system issues and improve equipment reliability. * Ensure system designs and modifications incorporate appropriate safety measures, pressure ratings, guarding, and energy-isolation provisions.

Metal-Forming Equipment and Process Engineering: * Apply practical knowledge of metal-forming equipment and manufacturing processes to design, modify, install, and troubleshoot production machinery. * Support equipment and processes such as stamping, pressing, forming, bending, shearing, and other applicable metal-forming operations.

• Troubleshoot mechanical and process-related issues affecting forming performance, cycle times, repeatability, product quality, and equipment reliability. * Investigate equipment problems involving presses, dies, tooling, actuators, mechanical drives, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic controls. * Evaluate machine performance and recommend equipment modifications, tooling improvements, or process adjustments to address production issues.

• Collaborate with manufacturing and maintenance personnel to identify the root causes of recurring equipment failures, forming defects, and production bottlenecks. * Support the installation, startup, and commissioning of metal-forming equipment and associated production systems. * Identify opportunities to improve production throughput, process consistency, equipment uptime, and operator safety.

• Apply sound engineering principles to ensure equipment modifications are practical, maintainable, and appropriate for the intended manufacturing process. Equipment Installation and Commissioning: * Travel to manufacturing facilities and customer locations to support equipment installation, modification, and integration.

• Coordinate and participate in the mechanical installation of machinery, production equipment, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and associated components. * Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to contractors, installation personnel, maintenance teams, and project stakeholders. * Verify equipment placement, alignment, clearances, mechanical connections, and installation accuracy against approved drawings and specifications.

• Support equipment startup, commissioning, functional testing, and production qualification. * Diagnose and resolve mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and process-related issues encountered during installation and startup. * Verify equipment operation against design requirements and support adjustments necessary for stable production.

• Document installation progress, equipment changes, deficiencies, and corrective actions. * Assist with the transition of newly installed or modified equipment into normal production operations. Manufacturing Support and Production Troubleshooting: * Investigate mechanical failures, equipment malfunctions, production interruptions, and recurring manufacturing problems.

• Perform hands-on troubleshooting and root-cause analysis involving mechanical components, hydraulic circuits, pneumatic systems, and metal-forming processes. * Respond to urgent production issues and implement practical corrective actions to minimize downtime. * Work directly with production operators, maintenance technicians, supervisors, and engineers to resolve equipment and process problems.

• Develop and implement preventive measures to reduce recurring failures and improve equipment reliability. * Evaluate equipment performance and recommend mechanical redesigns, system modifications, component replacements, or process improvements. * Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, safety, reliability, and operating costs.

• Provide technical recommendations based on observed equipment performance, maintenance history, and production requirements. Project Engineering and Technical Coordination: * Support engineering projects from initial assessment and concept development through design, installation, startup, and final acceptance. * Develop scopes of work, equipment specifications, installation plans, and technical documentation.

• Coordinate activities with internal departments, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and customer representatives. * Identify technical risks, design conflicts, schedule constraints, and installation challenges. * Communicate project status, technical findings, design changes, and recommended solutions to management and stakeholders.

• Ensure engineering documentation accurately reflects installed equipment and completed modifications. * Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, technicians, and other personnel as appropriate. Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement: * Follow applicable company safety procedures, site requirements, and industry standards during design, installation, and troubleshooting activities.

• Incorporate machine guarding, hydraulic and pneumatic safety, maintenance accessibility, and safe operating practices into equipment designs and modifications. * Follow established lockout/tagout and hazardous-energy-control procedures when working on equipment. * Identify potential hazards and participate in developing corrective actions.

• Support compliance with applicable equipment safety, engineering, and manufacturing requirements. * Promote standardized engineering practices and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations QUALIFICATIONS: Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related discipline; equivalent practical experience may be considered.

Typically seven or more years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial equipment, or a related field. Demonstrated proficiency in AutoCAD for mechanical drawings, facility layouts, and equipment documentation. Strong working knowledge of industrial hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including the ability to design, modify, interpret schematics, and troubleshoot system performance.

Practical experience with metal-forming equipment and manufacturing processes. Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and production-related problems. Hands-on experience with manufacturing machinery, mechanical assemblies, equipment installation, or industrial commissioning.

Ability to develop practical engineering solutions that improve equipment performance, reliability, and maintainability. Willingness and ability to travel up to 75% of working time. Valid driver's license and ability to meet applicable company travel requirements. Strong written, verbal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with hydraulic presses, mechanical presses, stamping equipment, forming machinery, or similar industrial equipment. Experience sizing hydraulic cylinders, pumps, valves, and related components based on operating pressure, flow, force, and cycle requirements. Experience designing or modifying pneumatic circuits, actuators, valves, regulators, and air-preparation systems.

Ability to read and develop hydraulic and pneumatic schematics. Experience with industrial machinery installation, equipment relocation, startup, and commissioning. Familiarity with machine guarding, safety interlocks, hazardous-energy control, and industrial equipment safety practices. Experience with 3D CAD modeling or additional mechanical design software.

Experience coordinating contractors, suppliers, installation teams, and customer-site activities. Knowledge of lean manufacturing, root-cause analysis, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Required Skills

Strong understanding of machine design, mechanical assemblies, and industrial equipment. Fluid power systems: Ability to design, analyze, and troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic circuits and components. Metal-forming expertise: Practical understanding of forming equipment, process behavior, and common mechanical and production problems.

CAD and technical documentation: Ability to create accurate, useful drawings and engineering documentation. Hands-on problem-solving: Ability to investigate equipment failures, determine root causes, and implement effective solutions. Project execution: Ability to carry projects from concept through installation, startup, and production readiness.

Communication and teamwork: Ability to work effectively with manufacturing personnel, maintenance teams, management, contractors, and customers. Independence and initiative: Ability to make sound technical decisions and work with limited supervision. Adaptability: Ability to transition between office-based design work and hands-on industrial field assignments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Lifting: Occasional, up to 40 lbs Standing: 8 + hours per day Walking: off and on, 4‐6 hours per day Body positions; squatting, bending, extending arms, stooping, reaching overhead Grasping: both hands up o 8 hours per day Pushing: Occasionally Climbing: Occasionally Availability to travel 75% or more WORK ENVIRONMENT: Office & Manufacturing Plant CLARKDIETRICH BENEFITS INCLUDE: Full benefits package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts and Life Insurance) 401(k) with company match Annual Incentive Paid Time Off Tuition Reimbursement Professional Certification Reimbursement Program Community Service Day