Mechanical Engineering Co-op

Padnos•Grand Rapids, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

PADNOS, a fourth-generation, family-owned recycling and recycled-materials company headquartered in Holland, Michigan, is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Co-op to join its Engineering team. This three-semester cooperative education position is completed through the Grand Valley State University Padnos College of Engineering (PCE) co-op program and centers on mechanical design and research and development for scrap and recycling processing equipment. Working with degreed engineers, the in-house machine shop and millwright crews, and plant operations, the student will use CAD to design machinery and components, build and test prototypes, reverse engineer existing equipment, and develop improvements to processing systems. Equipment includes shredders, balers, shears, separation and sorting systems, and conveyors. The co-op follows a progression from building CAD and shop-floor fundamentals, to component and subsystem redesigns, and ultimately leading a defined design or R&D project through implementation. The position alternates between an engineering office setting and an industrial recycling plant and machine shop. Work on the plant floor and in the shop involves exposure to noise, dust, and variable temperatures, use of required PPE, and adherence to PADNOS safety protocols.

Requirements

Be enrolled in the GVSU Padnos College of Engineering (PCE) Mechanical Engineering program and be in good academic standing.
Have completed or be completing the Engineering Professionalism course and be approved by PCE to accept a co-op offer.
Be available for three alternating semesters at 40 hours per week, or for the Flex option of six consecutive semesters at 20 hours per week with special approval.
Have working knowledge of 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, including part modeling, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
Have coursework or a strong interest in machine design, statics and mechanics of materials, and manufacturing processes.
Have strong mechanical aptitude, curiosity about how machines work, and hands-on problem-solving skills.
Be comfortable working in an industrial or manufacturing plant environment, including the production floor and machine shop.
Have strong communication, teamwork, and documentation skills.
Wear required PPE on the plant floor and in the shop, including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, and other area-specific PPE.
Be able to walk and stand for extended periods, climb stairs and ladders, and occasionally lift up to 25–50 pounds.
Follow PADNOS safety protocols, including lockout/tagout procedures when working near or on equipment.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on build experience, such as FIRST Robotics, Formula SAE or Baja SAE, fabrication, machining, welding, or personal design projects.

Responsibilities

Create 3D part models, assemblies, and fully dimensioned 2D fabrication and machining drawings in SolidWorks or similar CAD software.
Design machinery, components, and subassemblies for scrap-processing operations, from concept sketches and calculations through released drawings.
Perform engineering calculations for loads, stresses, weldments, fasteners, drives, and power transmission, using FEA where appropriate.
Maintain organized CAD files, revision control, and bills of materials.
Support R&D projects from concept and feasibility through prototyping, testing, and full implementation.
Build, install, and test prototypes with the machine shop and millwright crews; collect test data and iterate on designs.
Research processing technologies, materials, and equipment; benchmark alternatives and present findings and recommendations to engineering leadership.
Help prepare project scopes, equipment specifications, vendor quotes, and cost and feasibility estimates for R&D and capital projects.
Field-measure and reverse engineer existing equipment, components, and wear parts to produce accurate CAD models and drawings.
Develop in-house drawings for obsolete, undocumented, or high-cost OEM parts to support fabrication, alternate sourcing, and design upgrades.
Analyze production, downtime, and wear data to identify design-driven opportunities to improve processing equipment.
Redesign components and systems to improve throughput, metal recovery, wear life, safety, and maintainability.
Perform root-cause analysis on recurring equipment failures and develop engineered corrective actions.
Support installation, commissioning, and post-implementation review of new and modified equipment.
Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and EHS teams, and document designs, procedures, and lessons learned.
Progress from reverse engineering and drawing work in Co-op I, to component and subsystem redesigns and prototype testing in Co-op II, and leading a defined design or R&D project and presenting results in Co-op III.