Senior Mechanical Engineer III

Bonnell Industries Inc•Dixon, IL

1d•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Under the direction of the Engineering Manager, the Senior Mechanical Engineer III carries out Engineering department duties, including project management, calculations, design, research, prototyping, customer feedback, engineering documentation, estimating, and mentoring. The primary focus is new product development and large-scale product redesign. The role serves as the technical owner of Division 1—Snow & Ice Equipment and Truck Equipment, with an emphasis on system design, scalability, and long-term maintainability, including Bonnell’s most ambiguous and high-risk projects. The engineer manages complex R&D projects from concept through prototype to production; develops testing and validation programs; conducts safety reviews; works with customers on troubleshooting, feedback, and R&D testing; performs structural and hydraulic calculations; designs wiring harnesses and schematics; ensures equipment and systems comply with industry regulations, especially chassis GVW and CG requirements; and integrates evolving technologies into prototype and production equipment. The role also reviews the work of Level I and II engineers and supports their development. This is a full-time position in a professional office environment with frequent production-floor visits. Standard office equipment and common measuring devices are used routinely. Evening and weekend work may be required as duties demand. Travel is primarily local during the business day, though occasional out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected and must be approved in advance by management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a related field (listed as preferred education and experience).
6–8+ years’ experience in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate, and solve problems effectively.
Expert-level proficiency with SolidWorks or other 3D CAD software, including FEA, wire and hose routing, schematics, and PDM.
Experience in a production environment.
Extensive knowledge of metal fabrication processes, including material selection, sheet metal, welding, fixturing, finishing, and assembly.
Working knowledge of machine assembly and linkage design.
Knowledge of hydraulic and hydrostatic systems.
Knowledge of power transmission and drive line systems.
Knowledge of 12V electrical systems, CAN bus, and programming logic.
Regulatory experience with OSHA, DOT, NHTSA, and CFR.
Knowledge of liquid handling systems.
Knowledge of truck chassis layout and design.
Knowledge of ergonomics and operator-environment design.
Able to meet the stated physical demands, including occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds.
Travel may include local business-day trips and occasional out-of-area or overnight travel; advance management approval is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a related field, with 6–8+ years stated under Preferred Education and Experience.
Experience in a production environment.
Expert-level SolidWorks or other 3D CAD proficiency, including FEA, wire and hose routing, schematics, and PDM.
Extensive knowledge of metal fabrication processes.
Knowledge of machine assembly, linkage design, hydraulic and hydrostatic systems, power transmission and drive line systems, 12V electrical systems, CAN bus, programming logic, regulatory requirements, liquid handling systems, truck chassis layout and design, and ergonomics/operator-environment design.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical owner of Division 1—Snow & Ice Equipment and Truck Equipment.
Lead system design with attention to scalability and long-term maintainability, including high-risk and ambiguous projects.
Manage complex R&D projects from concept through prototype to production.
Develop testing and validation programs for R&D projects.
Conduct safety reviews to ensure products comply with known industrial safety standards.
Interact with customers to troubleshoot, gather product feedback, and conduct R&D project testing.
Perform structural and hydraulic calculations for new product development.
Design wiring harnesses and schematics.
Ensure equipment and systems comply with industry regulations, especially chassis GVW and CG requirements.
Integrate new and evolving technologies into prototype and production equipment.
Review the work of Level I and II engineers, mentor them, provide project guidance, and assign small tasks.
Carry out Engineering department duties including project management, design, research, prototyping, engineering documentation, and estimating.