Mechanical Design Engineer - Sheet Metal Products

J&T Business Consulting • Mattoon, IL

16h • Onsite

About The Position

This role involves designing sheet metal products, creating manufacturing documentation, collaborating on fabrication processes, executing new product development and sustaining engineering tasks, and leading cross-functional communication. The engineer will be responsible for generating complete manufacturing-ready documentation, including drawings with GD&T, weld symbols, notes, finish specifications, and accurate Bills of Material. They will define critical-to-quality characteristics and inspection requirements in partnership with the Quality team. The position requires applying knowledge of various sheet metal fabrication methods such as laser/punch, bend, spot weld, MIG/TIG, clinch/fasteners, PEM hardware, hinges/latches, and supporting process improvements for powder coat/paint, galvanizing, labeling, and final assembly. The engineer will execute design activities within a phase-gate development process, covering requirements, concept, design reviews, prototype builds, verification/validation, and release. Key responsibilities also include owning sustaining engineering deliverables like product updates, cost-down initiatives, quality improvements, and end-of-life changes. Effective communication with stakeholders, presenting designs in reviews, documenting decisions, managing action items, and balancing priorities across multiple projects and urgent production/field support needs are essential.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related discipline).
• 3+ years of product design experience in manufactured goods; strong preference for fabricated metal products.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred or equivalent) and 2D drawing creation.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and documentation practices for production release.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing teams on prototypes, pilot builds, and production support.
• Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working hands-on in a factory environment.

Nice To Haves

• 5+ years of experience designing sheet metal assemblies and welded fabrications.
• Experience with industrial safety, chemical storage, or regulated products; familiarity with relevant codes/standards is a plus.
• Exposure to ERP/PLM systems and formal engineering change workflows.
• Experience with DFMEA/PFMEA, control plans, and structured validation/testing.
• Lean / continuous improvement experience (Kaizen, standard work, waste reduction).

Responsibilities

• Generate complete manufacturing-ready documentation (drawings with GD&T, weld symbols, notes, finish specs, BOM accuracy).
• Define critical-to-quality characteristics and inspection requirements in partnership with Quality.
• Apply knowledge of sheet metal fabrication methods (laser/punch, bend, spot weld, MIG/TIG, clinch/fasteners, PEM hardware, hinges/latches).
• Support and improve processes including powder coat/paint, galvanizing, labeling, and final assembly.
• Execute design activities within a phase-gate development process: requirements, concept, design reviews, prototype builds, verification/validation, release.
• Own sustaining engineering deliverables: product updates, cost-down initiatives, quality improvements, and end-of-life changes.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders; present designs in reviews; document decisions and manage action items.
• Balance priorities across multiple projects and urgent production/field support needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level