Design Project Engineer

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; Rochester (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Design Project Engineer for a client specializing in custom industrial automation and robotics in Rochester Hills, MI. You will apply your mechanical design and project coordination experience to deliver turnkey automation solutions.

You will lead studies, coordinate with customers and global design teams, and design equipment from concept through final drawings, ensuring schedule and technical requirements are met. Travel up to 30% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years in design engineering and project coordination in automation or capital equipment.
• Strong mechanical design background with CAD proficiency (SolidWorks/AutoCAD) and 3D modeling.
• Experience with engineer-to-order processes and mechanical/electrical interfaces in automation systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers and communicate engineering decisions.
• Lead application studies, layout development, and design reviews with teams.
• Coordinate alignment meetings and track design schedules and milestones.
• Review concepts and designs from global teams for technical alignment.
• Design automation equipment from concept through final drawings in 3D CAD.
• Develop test plans, evaluate performance, and perform root-cause analysis when issues arise.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project coordination

Customer communication

3D modeling

Engineering standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Design Project Engineer for a client specializing in custom industrial automation and robotics in Rochester Hills, MI. Bring your mechanical design and project coordination experience to customer-focused engineering work that helps manufacturers advance their production operations.

Overview

The client is part of a global industrial automation and robotics business that helps manufacturers improve production through custom-engineered automation systems, turnkey equipment, and digital factory solutions. Its North American team supports customers across regional and international markets.

The Design Project Engineer serves as the primary technical contact for customers and coordinates engineering work from application studies and concept development through design release and testing. The position combines project coordination with hands‑on mechanical design, partnering with customers, project managers, internal engineering teams, and global design resources to deliver solutions that meet technical requirements and project schedules.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers, clarifying requirements and communicating engineering decisions and project updates.
• Lead application studies, concept and layout development, and design reviews with customers and internal engineering teams.
• Coordinate technical alignment and risk assessment meetings, and partner with project management to resolve issues and support successful delivery.
• Plan design releases and track design schedules, deliverables, open issues, and project milestones to support on‑time customer submissions.
• Manage engineering data and process order change requests, maintaining alignment between customer needs and design documentation.
• Review concepts and designs prepared by global engineering teams and external design vendors for technical alignment and completeness.
• Design custom automation equipment from concept through final design using 3D CAD, including models, assemblies, and 2D manufacturing drawings.
• Coordinate mechanical designs with controls, simulation, safety, and other system requirements; develop integration concepts for compatible system operation.
• Perform engineering analyses, including throughput and stack‑up analysis, and contribute to budgetary assessments for project solutions.
• Develop and execute test plans, evaluate system performance, and lead root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving when technical issues arise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 5 years of design engineering and project coordination experience in industrial automation, capital equipment, or a closely related environment.
• Strong mechanical design background and proficiency with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar CAD software, including 3D modeling, assembly design, and drawing creation.
• Experience with engineer‑to‑order processes, custom equipment development, and mechanical, controls, and electrical interfaces in automation systems.
• Working knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and design standards, including statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and materials science.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience communicating directly with customers.
• Ability to travel up to 30% and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced engineering environment (US/Canada/Mexico)
• Preferred: Experience in a project management role.

What Happens Next

Once you apply, you’ll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don’t worry – even if this position doesn’t work out, you’re still in the Kelly Engineering network. That means our team of expert engineering recruiters will have access to your profile, making your opportunities limitless.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting‑edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short‑term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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