Mechanical Project Engineer (Experienced Professional)

Michelin • Lexington, SC

2d

About The Position

The Mechanical Project Engineer completes the mechanical engineering work for plant capital projects and provides plant technical support to help meet market, productivity, and quality goals. The role supports pre-studies for deployment and development projects, performs design studies, follows equipment procurement and fabrication, and leads equipment installation, commissioning, and startup in an industrial plant environment. For customer projects, the engineer manages design studies for industrial equipment installations and ensures alignment with specifications, local regulations, performance requirements, and costs.

The engineer conducts pre-studies, prototypes, and pilots; designs and implements projects to improve plant performance; and applies risk-mitigation and quality processes. Responsibilities also include developing technical specifications, designs, estimates, and schedules; coordinating procurement and acceptance inspections; maintaining as-built documentation; and supporting and training plant maintenance teams. Project support is often hands-on and on-site, with some implementation schedules occurring during holidays and shutdowns.

At the senior level, the role includes end-to-end technical project management, contractor and installation-team leadership, system approvals and validation, change management, troubleshooting, coordination with internal support groups, and equipment ownership. The position is based in Lexington County, South Carolina. Michelin describes career development, mentorship, cross-functional opportunities, an inclusive culture, innovation-focused work, and community impact. Immigration sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent technical experience.
• Ability to set and achieve goals with minimal supervision and direction.
• Self-motivation and a high degree of integrity, with ability to perform duties on time.
• Ability to work with others or a team toward common objectives.
• Experience developing or implementing team or group project plans that met or exceeded expectations.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Experience with mechanical design standards such as OSHA, ASME, ANSI, and ISO.
• Knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, piping, and fittings.
• Experience with lifting devices, cranes, jibs, below-the-hook devices, and end-effectors.
• Knowledge of sizing and selecting motors, reducers, and servos.
• Ability to complete machine designs, including parts, assemblies, detail drawings, bills of material, motion analysis, and interference analysis using SolidWorks 3D CAD software.
• Engineering document management experience.
• For senior-level consideration: at least 5 years of experience in a similar role or 7–10 years in a manufacturing maintenance area.
• For senior-level consideration: ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and work under pressure with strict deadlines.
• For senior-level consideration: ability to develop and maintain technical documentation for responsible equipment.
• For senior-level consideration: ability to coach, mentor, and train junior engineers.
• For senior-level consideration: proven project management experience from conception through completion.
• For senior-level consideration: strong understanding of procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup of complex manufacturing systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mechanics of materials, stress analysis, and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Siemens Teamcenter engineering document management experience.
• Robotics experience; experience with Fanuc or Yaskawa is a plus.
• Experience with advanced technologies such as AGV, ASRS, vision systems, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-studies, prototypes, and pilots to capture business requirements and evaluate solutions by cost/benefit, deadlines, risks, and functional capabilities.
• Follow quality systems and established methods, including risk analyses, FMEA, design reviews, quality planning, and non-conformity treatment.
• Design, build, and lead implementation projects that improve plant performance by replacing outdated systems, improving equipment, or introducing innovations.
• Implement and monitor risk-mitigation actions, including calculations, simulations, and tests.
• Apply design and development best practices and share them globally.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers, vendors, and contractors.
• Keep up to date with emerging manufacturing trends and technologies.
• Prepare technical specifications for process equipment and machine installation activities.
• Provide mechanical design and project management for assigned projects.
• Prepare estimates and technical schedules for process equipment additions, replacements, and upgrades.
• Facilitate procurement and acceptance inspections, and maintain as-built folders for assigned materials and equipment projects.
• Provide backup support and training to plant maintenance teams on newly implemented systems.
• Support projects, particularly during installation, startup, and ramp-up, often on-site and hands-on.
• At the senior level, manage projects from start to finish, including risk, schedule, budget, and resources.
• At the senior level, lead or participate in system approvals, qualification, and validation of industrial robustness.
• At the senior level, manage change requests, approvals, and change testing.
• At the senior level, lead contractors or maintenance teams during equipment modifications and installations through startup and commissioning.
• At the senior level, validate installation, startup, and ramp-up milestones in collaboration with team members.
• At the senior level, assist local technicians with troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• At the senior level, coordinate with internal support groups and provide contract engineering management and direction when needed.
• At the senior level, act as equipment referent/owner for specific machines and maintain related documentation and relationships.

Benefits

• Personalized development plans, mentorship, and cross-functional opportunities.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Inclusive and supportive culture where competencies, contributions, and behaviors are recognized.
• Option to join Connected Communities.
• Opportunity to work on projects involving sustainable materials and digital transformation.
• Community-impact work and sustainable business practices.

What This Job Offers

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