Sr Design Engineer

Justrite Manufacturing • Mattoon, IL

5d

About The Position

The Sr Design Engineer is responsible for the mechanical design, documentation, and design-to-manufacturing execution of fabricated sheet metal products and related accessories, focusing on product performance, manufacturability, cost, and compliance for industrial hazardous material storage solutions. The role supports new product development and sustaining engineering for the Safety Cabinet product line, partnering with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Management, Supply Chain, and Regulatory.

The Design Engineering team works across departments to develop reliable products that meet safety standards, customer needs, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals. This role contributes from initial concept through production, supporting product design, validation, manufacturing readiness, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• At least 6 years of product design experience in manufactured goods; fabricated metal products are strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD, preferably SolidWorks or equivalent, and 2D drawing creation.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and production-release documentation practices.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing teams on prototypes, pilot builds, and production support.
• Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working hands-on in a factory environment.

Nice To Haves

• At least 5 years of experience designing sheet metal assemblies and welded fabrications.
• Experience with industrial safety, chemical storage, or regulated products; familiarity with relevant codes and standards is a plus.
• Exposure to ERP/PLM systems and formal engineering change workflows.
• Experience with DFMEA/PFMEA, control plans, and structured validation or testing.
• Lean or continuous improvement experience, such as Kaizen, standard work, or waste reduction.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop fabricated sheet metal cabinet products and assemblies from concept through production release.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, and specifications, ensuring accuracy and configuration control.
• Drive design-for-manufacture improvements across sheet metal fabrication, welding, finishing, and assembly.
• Lead engineering change activities, including product improvements, cost reductions, and issue resolution.
• Support safety-cabinet compliance and certification requirements, including coordinating test plans and documentation as needed.
• Conduct engineering analysis to validate designs, including tolerance stack-ups, fit and function, structural considerations, latch and door performance, ventilation and accessory integration, and durability.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to develop fixtures, work instructions, routings, and standard work for safe, repeatable production.
• Collaborate with suppliers and procurement to qualify components and materials and support should-cost, value analysis/value engineering, and alternate sourcing efforts.
• Investigate field and internal issues using structured problem-solving methods and implement corrective and preventive actions with Quality.
• Provide technical support to Sales and Customer Service for product applications, special requests, and customer-driven configurations.
• Generate manufacturing-ready documentation, including drawings with GD&T, weld symbols, notes, finish specifications, and accurate bills of materials.
• Define critical-to-quality characteristics and inspection requirements with Quality.
• Apply sheet metal fabrication knowledge and support processes including powder coating or painting, galvanizing, labeling, and final assembly.
• Execute design activities within a phase-gate development process, from requirements and concept through design reviews, prototype builds, verification, validation, and release.
• Own sustaining engineering deliverables, including product updates, cost-down initiatives, quality improvements, and end-of-life changes.
• Communicate with stakeholders, present designs in reviews, document decisions, and manage action items.
• Balance multiple project priorities with urgent production and field-support needs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible hours and alternative work arrangements, varying by role and business needs.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off and personal days.
• Employee wellness program.
• Annual incentive plan eligibility when Justrite Safety Group and its business units achieve annual business and financial targets.

What This Job Offers

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