Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

Schedule: 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off)
Primary Location: Chesterfield, VA, with occasional work in Richmond, at customer/vendor locations, and in the field
On-Call: May support emergency operations outside normal business hours as needed

Position Overview

We are looking for a hands-on Mechanical Design Engineer to create, improve, and support mechanical equipment used in railroad emergency response, heavy lifting, and specialized maintenance applications.

This position covers the full product lifecycle, including concept development, engineering, manufacturing support, testing, field deployment, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate enjoys practical problem-solving and working with engineering, manufacturing, operations, suppliers, and customers.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Development

• Design new crane systems and modify existing equipment.
• Develop practical mechanical solutions, including reverse engineering and redesign of existing components.
• Use CAD modeling, engineering calculations, FEA, prototyping, and field testing to validate designs.
• Improve equipment performance, manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost.
• Maintain and improve standard equipment designs while meeting engineering standards, customer requirements, and safety regulations.

Project & Production Support

• Manage engineering projects from concept through manufacturing, testing, implementation, and lifecycle support.
• Lead crane rebuild and refurbishment activities, including inspections, repair planning, upgrades, testing, and final delivery.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, operations, leadership, vendors, and suppliers to support production and product releases.
• Provide troubleshooting, field inspections, on-site technical assistance, and emergency response support.
• Verify equipment meets customer specifications, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements.

Engineering Support

• Apply engineering judgment and creative problem-solving to technical challenges.
• Maintain engineering documentation, calculations, drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and design records.
• Communicate technical information effectively with customers, vendors, manufacturing teams, and other departments.
• Support quality, product standardization, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage multiple projects and changing priorities, including emergency response needs.
• Maintain knowledge of company products, industry standards, and engineering practices.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar discipline.
Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent parametric CAD software.
Working knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the ability to validate results with engineering calculations.
Understanding of mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and engineering documentation.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaborate across departments.
Strong time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
Commitment to safety and engineering quality.
Valid driver’s license.
Willingness to travel approximately 10% for inspections, customer support, and field activities.

Preferred Qualifications

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) certification.
CSWA or CSWP SolidWorks certification.
Experience designing heavy equipment, cranes, mobile equipment, or industrial machinery.
Experience with hydraulic and electrical systems.
Experience supporting products through manufacturing and field deployment.
Familiarity with OSHA, ASME, AWS, AAR, or other applicable engineering standards.

Physical & Work Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, walk, and communicate throughout the workday.
Ability to climb on equipment during inspections, testing, and troubleshooting.
Ability to occasionally lift tools, components, and equipment up to 50 lbs.
Ability to work extended hours and respond to emergency situations when required.
Ability to work safely in office and industrial environments.