Senior Mechanical Design Engineer- Structures

Lanco Group of Companies•Hazel Crest, IL

8h•Onsite

About The Position

Lanco is the most complete lifting company in the world, representing four iconic, world-class heavy equipment manufacturers, mobile crane dealerships across US and Canada, and the largest parts and service network in North America. This role specifically supports Mi-Jack Products, Inc., an industry leader established in 1954, known for Travelift and Translift Rubber Tired Gantry crane manufacturing, sales, service, and support. Mi-Jack also leads in providing maintenance services, inspections, repairs, and parts for railroad, port, and industrial equipment end-users. The company is committed to designing and engineering maintainable, reliable, safe, and efficient solutions that integrate seamlessly into daily operations, providing a superior product and unsurpassed customer experience. As a Senior Structural/Welding Design Engineer, you will assume a hands-on, technical leadership role within the engineering team, focusing on the design and development of new, existing, and prototype products. This position emphasizes mechanical and structural system design, performance, and reliability, while also supporting modularity and standardization across product lines. Your responsibilities will include drafting and detailing your own designs, sizing critical components such as bearings, motors, gearboxes, and connections, and ensuring compliance with the latest engineering codes and standards. Collaboration with internal departments, external vendors, and contractors is crucial for delivering high-quality, manufacturable solutions. The role combines technical depth with mentorship, project execution, and adherence to company values, fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Self-motivated and accountable, with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
Detail-oriented and capable of interpreting customer specifications and applying industry codes and standards with consistency and accuracy.
Proficient in 3D design environments, with experience using Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar platforms (e.g., Creo).
Strong understanding of 3D modeling fundamentals including surfaces, faces, center planes, and assemblies.
Strong understanding of industry standards and experience reviewing designs for code compliance.
Deep mechanical design knowledge, including the full lifecycle of parts being burned, cut/sawn, machined, formed, welded, or produced via casting or forging.
Ability to detail components, define manufacturing processes, and support designs with analytical validation.
Expertise in structural and mechanical connections, including sizing and validating bolted, pinned, and welded joints.
Understanding of how to select appropriate fasteners, bolt patterns, weld sizes, and configurations based on performance requirements.
Experience with Bill of Materials (BOM) management, both in CAD drawings and within ERP systems.
Familiarity with engineering release processes, including new part introductions and engineering change notices (ECNs), in a structured release environment.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field (e.g., Agricultural Engineering with relevant mechanical/structural design experience).
Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in mechanical and/or structural design engineering, including drafting, analytical validation, and component/system sizing.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an unrestricted basis (U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee).
Lanco does not provide employment-related sponsorship (e.g., H-1B) for this position.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of experience in mechanical and/or structural engineering roles with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects.
Experience leading small engineering teams or mentoring junior engineers, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Plan, conceptualize, and create mechanical and structural designs for new and existing products using 3D CAD software.
Develop complete drawing packages including layouts, detailed part drawings, assemblies, and installation instructions with proper GD&T, weld symbols (AWS D14.1/D1.1), and dimensional tolerancing.
Personally detail and draft mechanical parts and large structural weldments (e.g., enclosed box sections, columns, frames), ensuring designs are production-ready and aligned with fabrication processes such as machining, forming, casting, forging, and welding.
Engineer and size mechanical and structural connections, including bolts, pins, and welds.
Determine appropriate fastener sizes, bolt patterns, and weld configurations based on load requirements, strength, and fatigue analysis.
Design and size rotating components such as gearboxes, shafts, motors, brakes, wheels, shivs, and drums.
Perform system-level calculations (e.g., torque, horsepower, load) and collaborate with vendors to select and integrate optimal components.
Select and size bearings using industry standards and life calculations (e.g., L10 life) to ensure durability and performance of hoist and rotating applications.
Perform and review structural analysis using hand calculations and/or FEA.
Validate designs for stress, fatigue, strength, and compliance with applicable codes.
Design large-scale enclosures (e.g., containers, operator cabs) with internal bracing, structural integrity, and integration with mechanical systems.
Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and drafters.
Check and review engineering drawings and calculations for accuracy, clarity, and analytical support.
Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful system integration.
Participate in design reviews, generate technical reports/specifications, and communicate updates with the Chief Engineer.
Ensure compliance in all safety, health, and environmental regulations, policies, and procedures for a goal of zero incidents and injuries.
Communicate consistently on all activities to appropriate individuals (both internal and external).
Maintain ongoing communication and adhere to all Companywide policies to eliminate and/or reduce exposure to liability.
Special projects or work as assigned.