Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Rheo Engineering • Peoria, IL

9h • Onsite

About The Position

Rheo Engineering designs and manufactures advanced powder handling equipment and integrated systems for the pharmaceutical industry. Our equipment is used in the direct manufacture of life-saving medicine around the world. We design and build everything on-site, from highly engineered containment systems to fully automated material handling lines. You’ll see your designs go from a model on your screen to a finished system on our shop floor. We run two engineering teams: New Product Development builds and maintains Rheo’s standard product lines, while Application Engineering — the team this role sits on — works directly with our project management team and customers to turn unique requirements into custom-engineered solutions, often under tight deadlines and real constraints. If you thrive on variety and solving problems, this is the team for you. We’re looking for a Senior Design Engineer who wants to own the technical quality of that work in a technical leadership role. You will have the opportunity to shape the Design framework and trajectory of our Application Engineering team and be a critical part of developing and mentoring Design Engineers. You’ll be looked up to and relied on throughout the team for the influence and expertise you bring.

Requirements

• Significant professional experience in mechanical design engineering with demonstrated ownership of complex assembly design work from concept through release
• Proficiency in Autodesk Inventor or equivalent 3D CAD
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
• Experience with FEA software tools
• Proven track record of producing and reviewing engineering drawings, models, and calculations to a high standard of quality
• Experience leading design reviews and managing engineering change processes (ECR/ECO)
• Track record of mentoring other engineers and elevating team capability
• Direct experience interfacing with customers on technical matters
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline

Nice To Haves

• PE license or active progress toward licensure
• Experience in pharmaceutical, food processing, or other regulated manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with powder handling or process equipment design
• Knowledge of GMP, cleanability (CIP/WIP), process containment, or OEL/OEB requirements
• Familiarity with project management practices and tools
• Working knowledge of ASME codes, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and fabrication processes

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical execution of custom equipment projects — CAD modeling in Autodesk Inventor, design reviews, engineering calculations, and FEA
• Own the quality of engineering deliverables across your projects, including drawings, customer submittments, and documentation
• Manage the engineering change process: triage ECRs, review and close out ECOs, and maintain basis of design documentation
• Mentor Design Engineers through hands-on guidance, model reviews, and constructive feedback that builds real capability
• Collaborate across functions — fabrication, assembly, controls, manufacturing engineering, and purchasing — to keep designs producible and projects on track
• Serve as a primary technical contact for customers: lead design reviews, prepare approval submittals, and communicate directly on technical matters
• Source and qualify vendors, review vendor drawings, and conduct technical evaluations
• Support Factory Acceptance Tests (internal and external), system integration, quality activities, and commissioning
• Generate engineering standards, design calculators, and administer the CAD environment

Benefits

• Leading medical insurance — consistently low rates compared to other businesses in the area
• Health Savings Account with employer contributions (plan-dependent)
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Identity theft insurance
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Generous PTO
• Paid paternity and maternity leave
• Paid cell phone plan with stipend for a new phone every 2 years
• Employee referral program
• Relocation Assistance Provided

What This Job Offers

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