Crane Designer

Contrx Industries, Inc.; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Contrx Industries, Inc. is seeking a Crane Designer to develop detailed designs for overhead, gantry, and jib cranes, ensuring customer specifications and industry standards.

You will work with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and project management to deliver robust, cost-effective crane systems, using CAD tools and engineering calculations.

Applicants should have solid CAD skills and familiarity with CMAA/ASME B30 standards.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s in Mechanical Design/Engineering; relevant experience considered.
• CAD proficiency: SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or equivalent.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specs clearly.
• Knowledge of structural steel, weld symbols, bolted connections.
• Familiarity with CMAA, ASME B30, crane design principles.
• Strong math, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication across teams.

Responsibilities

• Create 2D and 3D CAD models, drawings, and BOMs.
• Design crane bridges, end trucks, runways, trolleys, hoists, and frames.
• Prepare general arrangement and customer approval drawings.
• Review specs, loads, site dimensions, and project docs.
• Validate designs with engineering on loads and deflection.
• Ensure compliance with CMAA, ASME, OSHA, and AWS standards.
• Select motors, gearboxes, wheels, bearings, brakes, and drives.
• Coordinate with manufacturing to ensure cost-effective, workable designs.
• Provide material specs and BOMs to purchasing.
• Update drawings based on reviews and field data.
• Assist with troubleshooting and field modifications.
• Maintain engineering documentation and revisions.
• Identify opportunities to standardize and improve costs.

Skills

Mechanical design

CAD proficiency

Reading drawings

Cross-functional collab

Education

Associate or Bachelor's in Mechanical Design/Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Inventor

Job description

Lift Solutions delivers end-to-end industrial lifting solutions, including OSHA compliance inspections, crane equipment, aftermarket services, and parts for overhead cranes and other lifting and rigging equipment. We are dedicated to driving progress, efficiency, and safety—ensuring every industry benefits from our expertise, advanced technology, and commitment to quality. The New Equipment team is looking for a Crane Designer to join the growing team!

Position Summary

The Crane Designer is responsible for developing detailed designs, layouts, and engineering drawings for overhead cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, hoists, and related lifting equipment. This position works closely with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and project management teams to ensure crane systems meet customer specifications, applicable industry standards, safety requirements, and manufacturing needs.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical design skills, experience with CAD software, and an understanding of structural and mechanical components used in crane systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create 2D and 3D CAD models, assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, and detailed manufacturing drawings for crane systems and components.
• Design crane bridges, end trucks, runways, trolley assemblies, hoist supports, platforms, walkways, and related structural components.
• Develop general arrangement drawings, customer approval drawings, installation layouts, and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Review customer specifications, load requirements, site dimensions, and project documentation to determine design requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering to verify design calculations, load capacities, deflection limits, and structural integrity.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements, including relevant CMAA, ASME, OSHA, and AWS requirements, as applicable to the project.
• Select and incorporate appropriate mechanical components, including motors, gearboxes, wheels, bearings, brakes, hoists, and drive systems.
• Work with manufacturing and fabrication teams to ensure designs are practical, cost-effective, and easy to assemble.
• Support purchasing by providing accurate material specifications, component details, and bills of materials.
• Revise drawings and models based on engineering reviews, customer feedback, field measurements, and manufacturing changes.
• Assist with troubleshooting design issues during fabrication, installation, commissioning, and service activities.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation, drawing revisions, and project files.
• Identify opportunities to improve product standardization, design efficiency, quality, and manufacturing costs.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Associate degree or bachelor's degree in Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or an equivalent platform.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and fabrication details.
• Understanding of mechanical components, structural steel, welding symbols, bolted connections, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with crane design principles, lifting capacities, load combinations, and material-handling equipment.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet established deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across departments.

Preferred Experience

• Experience designing overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, monorails, or custom lifting equipment.
• Knowledge of CMAA specifications and applicable ASME B30 standards.
• Familiarity with FEA (finite element analysis), structural calculations, and mechanical design verification.
• Experience with ERP systems, product data management (PDM), and engineering change control.
• Understanding of manufacturing tolerances, weldments, machining, and fabrication practices.
• Experience supporting crane installation, inspection, maintenance, or field modifications.
• Mechanical design and drafting proficiency
• Attention to detail and design accuracy
• Safety-focused engineering judgment
• Practical, manufacturing-oriented design approach
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Time management and project coordination