Associate Mechanical Engineer- Structures

Lanco•Hazel Crest, IL

About The Position

The Associate Mechanical Engineer (Mechanical Engineer I) - Structures supports the design, development, analysis, testing, and documentation of mechanical components, assemblies, and equipment. Working under the guidance of senior engineering staff, this position develops technical skills while contributing to product development, sustaining engineering, cost reduction initiatives, manufacturing support, and continuous improvement. The role performs fundamental engineering tasks and builds proficiency in engineering principles, company standards, and product knowledge. The position assists with mechanical design and development; creates and revises CAD drawings, models, and documentation; supports engineering change notices, design releases, and configuration management; and performs basic engineering calculations and analyses. It also contributes to prototype development, testing, troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, validation and verification, and technical reporting. The engineer works with cross-functional teams and maintains bills of material and engineering documentation in company systems. Designs must comply with applicable company standards, safety requirements, and engineering specifications. The role requires compliance with safety, health, and environmental policies, protection of proprietary information, and performance of special projects and other assigned duties. Up to 20% travel is required for testing, product validation, supplier visits, or customer support. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an applicable engineering field from an accredited institution.
Basic understanding of mechanical engineering principles, machine design, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
Familiarity with engineering calculations and analysis methods.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Experience with 3D CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar platforms.
Ability to apply engineering fundamentals to routine technical problems and collect, organize, and evaluate technical data.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to prioritize and organize work, meet project deadlines, take ownership of assigned tasks, and work effectively in cross-functional teams.
Up to 20% travel is required.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Internship, co-op, senior design project, or other practical engineering experience.
Familiarity with ERP, PDM, or PLM systems.
Experience using 3D CAD software.
Exposure to product development, manufacturing, or industrial equipment.
Familiarity with engineering documentation and drawing standards.
Basic understanding of mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, or mobile equipment.

Responsibilities

Assist in designing and developing mechanical components, systems, and assemblies.
Create and revise engineering drawings, models, and documentation using CAD software.
Support engineering change notices (ECNs), design releases, and configuration management processes.
Perform basic engineering calculations and analyses to support product design and validation.
Assist with prototype development, testing, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigations.
Participate in product improvement, cost reduction, quality improvement, and standardization initiatives.
Work with manufacturing, sourcing, quality, service, and other cross-functional teams to support product development and production activities.
Develop bills of material (BOMs) and maintain engineering documentation within company systems.
Support validation and verification activities, including test planning, execution, and reporting.
Ensure designs comply with applicable company standards, safety requirements, and engineering specifications.
Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project documentation as required.
Protect organizational value by maintaining confidentiality of proprietary information.
Comply with safety, health, and environmental regulations, policies, and procedures.
Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
Travel up to 20% to support testing, product validation, supplier visits, or customer support activities.