Design Engineer

IFab Corporation•Gastonia, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

IFAB is seeking a skilled, detail-oriented, and motivated Design Engineer to join its engineering team in Gastonia, North Carolina. The role designs and develops high-performance metal components, structural assemblies, and sheet metal products tailored to customer specifications and manufacturing capabilities. The Design Engineer works closely with shop-floor production teams to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, durable, and compliant with quality standards. The position covers product design and development, cross-functional collaboration, selection of materials and manufacturing processes, design validation and testing, documentation, reporting, and continuous improvement. The work environment is split between office space and the manufacturing floor. Occasional site visits and domestic travel may be required, and the schedule is flexible based on project deadlines and operational needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering field.
3 to 5 years of hands-on design engineering experience in a metal fabrication or manufacturing environment.
High-level proficiency in SolidWorks and AutoCAD, or equivalent 3D CAD platforms.
Deep understanding of sheet metal parts and stamping, machining, bending, cutting, and welding processes, as well as tooling and fixture design.
Strong mastery of blueprint reading, technical specifications, quality standards, and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) notes.
Direct experience managing the complete product design lifecycle, from initial concept through prototyping, shop-floor testing, and full production.
Solid foundation in structural engineering concepts and manufacturing constraints.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with strong verbal and written communication and teamwork skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress testing, load simulation, and design validation.
Familiarity with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.
Practical working knowledge of industry welding codes and standards such as AWS and ASME.

Responsibilities

Design, 3D model, and prototype custom metal products using CAD software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
Develop detailed engineering drawings with technical specifications, tolerances, and material requirements.
Create 3D models and simulations to assess functional performance, manufacturability, and cost-efficiency.
Work with manufacturing and production teams to ensure designs are practical and can be executed on the shop floor.
Communicate with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to gather engineering requirements and clarify design specifications.
Provide real-time engineering support to shop-floor operators, troubleshooting design challenges and applying required modifications.
Select and recommend materials and fabrication methods, including welding, cutting, stamping, bending, and CNC machining, based on structural requirements and budget.
Collaborate with the engineering team to refine manufacturing workflows, reduce unit costs, and maintain product quality.
Conduct design reviews, simulations, and empirical tests to validate structural integrity, performance, and functionality.
Identify and address design limitations or flaws, improving manufacturability and reducing costs.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including CAD files, engineering drawings, and revision histories.
Provide progress reports and project status updates to executive leadership and project managers.
Implement engineering improvements to optimize production efficiency, reduce raw material scrap, and extend product lifespan.
Stay current on metal fabrication technologies, tooling, and materials and incorporate innovative solutions into future designs.