Senior Machine Designer

SSOE, Inc.•Midland, MI

2d•$90,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

SSOE is looking to hire a Senior Machine Designer to play a pivotal role in the detailed design and development of specialized machinery and material handling equipment essential to manufacturing and industrial clients. Utilizing advanced CAD tools such as AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor, you will produce fully coordinated, fabrication-ready 3D models and detailed 2D construction drawings for automated equipment, that integrate mechanical components, structural weldments, and ductwork systems compliant with industry codes and fabrication standards. Your work will directly support multidisciplinary project teams, involving process engineers, controls/automation specialists, and structural designers, ensuring design congruence across disciplines. This position demands close engagement with project managers and discipline leads through defined review gates and change management workflows to maintain project quality, schedule, and risk mitigation, following quality assurance and control protocols aligned with company and project standards. AI and Innovation As part of our commitment to innovation, all team members will be trained on Microsoft Copilot and empowered to use it as a core tool in their everyday work.

Requirements

Minimum 15 years’ professional experience in mechanical design with specific expertise in machine design and material handling equipment for manufacturing or industrial facilities.
Proficient, demonstrable advanced skills in AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor for 3D modeling and detailed mechanical drafting.
Thorough knowledge of mechanical fabrication, welding standards (AWS D1.1), and structural steel material specifications (ASTM A6) relevant to equipment manufacture.
Experience integrating ductwork systems, designing automation components, and fabrication weldments into machine designs.
Proven ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively in verbal and written form with project teams, clients, and contractors.
Demonstrated adherence to quality assurance/control protocols and change management procedures within EPC or design firm environments.
Experience working in cross-functional teams involving project managers, discipline leads, and external stakeholders throughout all project phases from pre-design through construction administration and startup.

Nice To Haves

Experience using SolidWorks as an alternative to Inventor will be considered.
Background in constructability reviews and knowledge of field installation practices to optimize design for ease of fabrication and assembly.
Understanding of project cost estimating and schedule impacts related to machine design changes.
Leadership aptitude demonstrated through mentoring junior engineers or leading small technical teams.
Exposure to advanced modeling techniques, including parametric design and CAD automation to improve productivity and reduce errors.
Experience with industrial automation equipment integration and control system interfaces.

Responsibilities

Lead detailed mechanical design activities for machine and material handling equipment, including, but not limited to conveyors, lifts, feeders, and customized fabrication weldments, supporting industrial manufacturing projects primarily within manufacturing, glass, and other similar sectors.
Develop and validate 3D CAD models and detailed 2D drawings using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor, ensuring design accuracy, dimensional control, and adherence to company and client standards.
Collaborate closely with process engineers, controls engineers, and structural designers to integrate automation components, ductwork routing, and equipment foundations into cohesive multidisciplinary design packages.
Coordinate with project managers to manage design scope, milestones, release cycles, and revision control through formal change management boards and document control systems.
Conduct comprehensive design reviews internally and with clients, providing clear technical presentations, clarifications, and incorporating feedback to optimize constructability and performance.
Prepare and submit technical submittals, vendor requests for information (RFIs), and evaluate supplier documentation to validate component compliance and manufacturability.
Support procurement and fabrication teams by developing clear build packages, including bill of materials, welding symbols, assembly instructions, and inspection checklists aligned with quality protocols.
Participate in site visits during equipment installation and commissioning phases to verify field adherence to design intent, troubleshoot emergent technical issues, and support safe startup procedures.
Maintain detailed project documentation, including design calculations, revisions logs, and correspondence, ensuring traceability and audit readiness.
Apply rigorous attention to detail to identify and resolve potential design conflicts or safety hazards before fabrication, minimizing downstream risk.
Engage in continuous process improvement initiatives to refine design workflows, implement efficiency gains through 3D modeling best practices, and embed constructability reviews early in the design lifecycle.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior designers and interns, fostering skill development in CAD proficiency, industry codes, and equipment design fundamentals.
Assist in estimating labor and material quantities to support project budgeting and scheduling efforts, maintaining cost-effectiveness without compromising quality or compliance. Ongoing monitoring of project budget/costs throughout the project.
Utilize AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor automation features and scripting to accelerate repetitive design tasks and improve overall design throughput.