Mechanical Design Engineer

Morris & Associates•Garner, NC

26d

About The Position

We are an established, employee-owned (ESOP) manufacturing company specializing in poultry chiller systems and related process equipment used in high-volume food processing environments. Our work is highly collaborative across engineering, fabrication, field service, and project management. We value practical problem-solving, accountability, and supporting each other in delivering reliable systems to our customers. The Mechanical Designer will work as a key contributor on our Engineering team to develop and maintain manufacturing drawings, equipment layouts, assemblies, and installation details for our poultry chiller systems and associated equipment. This role is both office and field oriented. The candidate will spend most of their time developing 3D mechanical models and drawings, while also participating in site visits for field measurements, equipment documentation, and occasional 3D LiDAR scanning. This is a strong role for someone who enjoys hands-on, real-world engineering and the technical details required to build and install equipment that works right the first time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, OR proven equivalent technical experience in mechanical design.
3–7 years of mechanical design experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Proficiency in 3D parametric CAD software (Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar).
Strong understanding of fabrication processes including welding, machining, and sheet metal manufacturing.
Ability to read and apply weld symbols, tolerancing standards, and mechanical detail drawings.
Ability to implement a systematic, data-driven approach to investigate and resolve significant or recurring problems within an organization's processes, products or systems.
Comfortable working in food processing plants, mechanical rooms, and shop floors.
Comfortable engaging and communicating with customers in similar industries.
Willingness to travel 1–2 times per month for short domestic trips (typically 1–3 days).

Nice To Haves

Experience using FARO or similar 3D LiDAR scanners and processing point clouds.
Familiarity with Autodesk Vault or other PDM systems.
Understanding of stainless steel fabrication and sanitary equipment design.
Experience with equipment layout in constrained or retrofit environments.
Experience with root cause techniques and analysis.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain 3D models and 2D fabrication drawings using Autodesk Inventor (Similar experience, e.g. SolidWorks, is acceptable with willingness to transition).
Develop complete mechanical drawing packages including assemblies, detailed part prints, weldment drawings, and bill of materials (BOMs).
Work directly with shop personnel (welders, fabricators, machinists) to verify manufacturability, ease of fabrication, and clarity of documentation.
Conduct field investigations at poultry processing facilities to gather dimensions, document existing equipment, and assess installation constraints.
Assist with or perform 3D LiDAR scanning of existing equipment and environments (experience preferred, but training available).
Support installation teams with drawing clarifications and technical detail during project execution.
Participate in internal reviews to ensure accuracy, quality, and adherence to company standards.
Maintain structured drawing and document control practices.