Mechanical Designer | Project Specialist

Column Technical Services • Blue Island, IL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Column Technical Services is seeking a Mechanical Designer | Project Specialist to support custom pump systems, rotating equipment, repair projects, and industrial manufacturing projects in Blue Island, Illinois. The position combines mechanical design, project coordination, production support, and technical problem-solving, helping projects move from initial release through final completion. The role works closely with Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, Sales, and Production teams to support quality, safety, and operational excellence. The successful candidate is highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and comfortable addressing technical and production-related challenges. Hands-on industrial, manufacturing, fabrication, pump, or engineered-equipment experience is valued more heavily than formal engineering credentials.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing, mechanical, or industrial environment with progressively increasing responsibility.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of pumps, seals, rotating equipment, and related industrial systems.
• Advanced ability to read, interpret, and work from blueprints, engineering drawings, technical specifications, and related documentation.
• Experience creating, modifying, redlining, or updating technical drawings using SolidWorks, CAD, or similar design software.
• Proven experience coordinating complex work orders, managing project priorities, supporting production schedules, and driving projects from release through completion.
• Ability to identify workflow bottlenecks, troubleshoot production or mechanical issues, and implement practical solutions.
• Experience collaborating with engineering, operations, purchasing, sales, and production teams and influencing outcomes without direct supervisory authority.
• Comfort working in both an office setting and on a production floor, including project staging, inspections, troubleshooting, and production support.
• Strong communication, organizational, documentation, and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Advanced understanding of manufacturing operations, shop workflows, job scheduling, and production processes.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience supporting pump repair operations, engineered pump systems, seals, or rotating equipment.
• Experience with reverse engineering and converting field or shop findings into revised drawings and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with machining, fabrication, assembly, and industrial repair environments.
• Experience using NetSuite or a comparable ERP platform.
• Demonstrated involvement in quality initiatives, safety programs, continuous improvement efforts, and organized shop-floor practices.
• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Technical school training or relevant mechanical and industrial education.

Responsibilities

• Support custom pump systems, rotating equipment, repair projects, and industrial production activities.
• Coordinate complex work orders, manage project priorities, support production schedules, and drive projects from release through completion.
• Create, modify, redline, or update technical drawings and documentation using SolidWorks, CAD, or similar design software.
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, technical specifications, and related documentation.
• Identify workflow bottlenecks, troubleshoot production or mechanical issues, and implement practical solutions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, Sales, and Production teams, influencing outcomes without direct supervisory authority.
• Provide project staging, inspections, troubleshooting, and production support on the production floor.
• Contribute to quality, safety, operational excellence, and efficient shop-floor practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed