Product Design Engineer - Mechanical

Develops new and improved grain-handling and conveying equipment, including chain conveyors, belt conveyors, bucket elevators, and related products. This position applies mechanical engineering principles to create safe, reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs that meet applicable domestic and international codes and regulations. The role collaborates with engineers and cross-functional teams in multiple locations and provides technical support to manufacturing, sales, and customers. Occasional travel to customer and project sites is required to evaluate applications, investigate product issues, and provide technical consultation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops new and improved mechanical designs for grain-handling and conveying equipment from concept through production release.
• Prepares engineering calculations and analyses to verify product performance, capacity, structural integrity, safety, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Creates and maintains 3D models, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and other technical documentation.
• Reviews designs and calculations completed by other engineers and incorporates feedback through the design-review process.
• Collaborates with engineering teams across disciplines and locations to develop products that comply with applicable domestic and international codes and regulations.
• Works with manufacturing, purchasing, sales, and other departments to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with customer requirements.
• Supports prototype development, product testing, design validation, and implementation of approved design changes.
• Investigates field and production issues, identifies root causes, and develops appropriate corrective design solutions.
• Provides technical guidance to sales personnel and customers regarding product selection, applications, installation, and performance.
• Travels to customer and project sites as needed to evaluate applications, investigate issues, and provide technical consultation. Travel frequency is expected to generally not exceed 5% of working time.
• Maintains engineering records and completes assigned projects in accordance with established quality standards, schedules, and document-control procedures.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Agricultural, or related engineering field required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.

The Company:

Putting the needs of customers first has taken Chief Industries, Inc. from a small construction company in 1954, to a highly diverse company with a reputation for manufacturing quality products and offering unparalleled customer service. Through its many Brands and subsidiaries, Chief Industries employs over 1,400 skilled and dedicated employees who produce a wide variety of products, many of which are used around the world.

A Brand of Chief Industries, Chief Agri originated in 1961 and offers a full line of aeration and material handling products to help grain producers minimize storage costs and maximize the selling price of their commodities. Manufactured to exacting standards using heavy-duty materials and innovative designs, Chief grain conditioning, handling, and storage systems are sold throughout the world and have a reputation for providing many long years of dependable service.

Our Benefits:

This full-time position is eligible for full company benefits, including

• Paid vacation/time off
• 401(k) retirement plan plus company match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability benefits
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Financial wellness coaching
• Employee assistance program
• Paid holidays (8)
• Employee discounts
• Education assistance
• And much more.

Experience

Preferred

• Experience with 3D parametric design software (SolidWorks is currently used).
• Engineer-in-Training Certification or three or more years of related engineering experience preferred.
• Experience designing material-handling, agricultural or industrial equipment preferred.
• Experience applying relevant engineering codes, standards, and regulations preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.