Mechanical Design Engineer

Position Summary

The Design Engineer develops and supports engineered synthetic-rope, round-sling, termination, and fiber-friendly hardware solutions from concept through validated production release. This role combines mechanical design, analysis, testing, data interpretation, and manufacturing support to deliver safe, manufacturable products that meet customer, performance, quality, and documentation requirements. The engineer works closely with Application Engineering, Operations, Quality, Sales, and customers and is expected to be comfortable discussing technical requirements directly with customers.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Mechanical & Product Design (~35%)

• Design and develop round slings, rope assemblies, terminations, load-transfer hardware, fixtures, and related components for standard and engineered-to-order applications.
• Create and maintain 3D models, engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, tolerances, and release documentation using established CAD/PDM tools.
• Evaluate load paths, geometry, interfaces, bend radius/diameter, material selection, design factors, hardware contact surfaces, manufacturability, and service conditions.
• Apply design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly principles in partnership with Production, Fabrication, Quality, and Supply Chain.

Verification, Testing & Data (~25%)

• Develop verification and validation plans for new or modified designs, including proof, break, cyclic/fatigue, fit-up, dimensional, or functional testing as applicable.
• Analyze test data, calculations, finite-element or other engineering analyses, and field performance to confirm design assumptions and product capability.
• Use sound statistical and data-analysis methods to identify trends, quantify margins, troubleshoot performance issues, and support design decisions.
• Translate test results into controlled design outputs, product limits, technical reports, and improvement actions.

Production & Quality Support (~20%)

• Provide timely engineering support for production questions, first builds, deviations, nonconformances, supplier issues, rework decisions, and root-cause investigations.
• Support engineering change control and ensure revised drawings, specifications, test requirements, and manufacturing instructions are clear before release.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality to improve repeatability, first-pass yield, product quality, and cost without compromising design requirements.

Customer & Application Collaboration (~15%)

• Participate in customer technical discussions to understand operating conditions, interfaces, loads, constraints, and acceptance criteria.
• Support Application Engineering and Sales with technical feasibility, preliminary concepts, design reviews, proposals, and post-delivery technical support.
• Communicate technical decisions clearly to both engineering and non-engineering audiences, including customers and production teams.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Knowledge (~5%)

• Maintain awareness of applicable lifting, rigging, material, and customer standards and incorporate lessons learned into design practices.
• Improve calculation tools, design templates, technical data, testing methods, and reusable engineering knowledge.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing mechanical products or components from requirements through drawing release and production support.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical testing, engineering calculations, test/data analysis, and structured problem solving.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software, engineering analysis and simulation tools, and statistical analysis tools. (SolidWorks, ANSYS and Minitab desired)
• Ability to organize and analyze technical data using engineering software, spreadsheets, or similar tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and willingness to engage directly with customers on technical requirements and product performance.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel 10-20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with software development and artificial intelligence (AI) applications preferred.
• Experience with synthetic rope, lifting slings, rigging hardware, textiles, composites, wire rope, polymer products, or other load-bearing flexible structures highly preferred.
• Experience in offshore energy, marine, wind, heavy lifting, mining, utilities, aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical industrial applications.
• Familiarity with applicable sling/rigging standards and third-party/customer requirements, such as ASME B30.9, DNV, ABS, or equivalent standards relevant to assigned products preferred.

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person