Mechanical Design Team Lead

Ecolab, Inc.; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

RRSP matching

Vacation & flex days

PD allowance

Casual environment

Job summary

Ecolab, Inc. in Calgary seeks a Mechanical Design Team Lead to drive a high-performance team delivering next-generation CDU products for AI and data centers.

You’ll lead design, CAD standards, PLM governance, and cross-functional collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain. You’ll mentor designers, manage NPI workflows from concept to production, ensure design quality and documentation, and champion continuous improvement in design processes while shaping a culture of

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 7+ years in physical product design or mechanical design.
• 3+ years of people leadership or technical design leadership.
• Experience leading hardware development lifecycle from concept to production.
• Strong 3D CAD modelling, engineering drawings, BOM management.
• Experience with PDM/PLM systems and engineering change management.
• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, DFS and risk assessment methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of mechanical designers and technologists.
• Guide NPI lifecycle from concept to production and sustaining activities.
• Oversee CAD models, drawings, BOMs, configurations, and documentation.
• Drive standardization and component reuse to improve reliability and timelines.
• Ensure CAD standards, PDM/PLM governance, and change management processes.
• Conduct design reviews, DFM/DFA/DFS and risk assessments.
• Support project planning, scheduling, and workload planning.
• Lead performance management and development planning.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, customers, suppliers and partners.
• Drive continuous improvement of design processes and workflows.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Engineering drawings

BOM management

PLM systems

DFM/DFA/DFS

Risk assessment

Project planning

People leadership

Education

Industrial Design / Mechanical Eng

Tools

PDM/PLM systems

Engineering change management

Job description

As the Mechanical Design Team Lead, you will lead a team of mechanical designers responsible for the development of next-generation Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) products. You will oversee product design activities, CAD and drawing standards, PLM governance, workload planning, and team development while driving engineering excellence across the product lifecycle. This role combines technical leadership, people leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver innovative, scalable products for the rapidly growing AI and data center industry.

What’s in it For You

• Day 1 Coverage: Employer-paid comprehensive benefits, including dental, prescription drug, vision, paramedical coverage, and a $1,000 annual Health Spending Account.
• RRSP: 2% employer-sponsored contribution.
• Three weeks of vacation, six flex days, and a one-week company-wide holiday shutdown.
• $1,000 annual professional development allowance.
• Dress for your day in a casual, professional environment.
• Opportunity to lead and develop a talented design team working on industry-leading cooling technologies supporting AI and high-performance computing applications.

What You Will Do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical designers and technologists.
• Guide product development through the full New Product Introduction (NPI) lifecycle, from concept through production and sustaining activities.
• Oversee product design deliverables, including 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, BOM structures, configurations, and technical documentation.
• Drive standardization, design best practices, and component reuse to improve product reliability and reduce development timelines.
• Ensure compliance with CAD standards, PDM/PLM governance, and engineering change management processes.
• Conduct and facilitate technical design reviews, DFM, DFA, DFS, and risk assessments.
• Support project planning, scheduling, work estimation, and team capacity planning.
• Lead performance management activities, including coaching, goal setting, performance reviews, and development planning.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, customers, suppliers, and industry partners to support product development and technology adoption.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to design processes, workflows, and engineering standards.

Position Details

• Location: Calgary, AB
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid
• Schedule: Full-time
• Travel: Up to 10% international and U.S. travel may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in physical product design, product development, or mechanical design engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of people leadership and/or technical design leadership experience.
• Experience leading products through the full hardware development lifecycle, including concept development, prototyping, validation, production launch, and sustaining engineering.
• Strong experience with 3D CAD modelling, engineering drawings, BOM management, and product configuration management.
• Experience using PDM and PLM systems, including engineering change management processes.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Serviceability (DFS), and risk assessment methodologies.
• Strong project planning, prioritization, and workload management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• P.Tech, C.Tech, or C.E.T designation through ASET or APEGA.
• Experience designing products for high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience within thermal management, HVAC, industrial equipment, datacenter infrastructure, automotive, or similar industries.
• Knowledge of ASME Y14.5 (GD&T), tolerance stack-up analysis, and engineering drawing standards.
• Experience with UL, CSA, or other regulated product development environments.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives within engineering teams.

We thank every candidate in advance; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview. Please note: immigration sponsorship is not available for this role.

Successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo background checks, including criminal record checks and education verification.

During pre-screening, we may use an AI tool, supported by human oversight, to efficiently manage tasks such as resume screening and/or interview scheduling. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-hire background checks as a condition of employment.