Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Zeppelin Systems USA; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Zeppelin Systems USA, Inc. seeks a Lead Mechanical Designer to lead design of material handling equipment and systems, focusing on both product design and mechanical/piping design.

You will mentor the design team and ensure compliance with industry standards for manufacturability and safety. You will develop 2D/3D layouts, PFDs, P&IDs, and fabrication details, coordinate reviews, and interface with clients and suppliers while advancing best-in-class design practices.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or advanced technical certification in Mechanical Design preferred.
• 10+ years of direct experience as a designer/drafter in industrial systems with fabrication knowledge.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to junior staff.
• Experience with bulk material handling, pneumatic conveying, loading head, telescope equipment, and dust collection basics.

Responsibilities

• Mentorship: Technical onboarding and continuous training of new hires.
• Complex Systems: Lead design on high-stakes or technically challenging System drawings.
• Quality Control: Reviewing team outputs for technical accuracy and adherence to standards.
• Standardization: Developing and maintaining fabrication details for proprietary components.
• Technical Resource: Act as the subject matter expert for layouts, piping, and P&IDs.
• Complex Project Execution: Manage design for intricate steel structures, silos, loading head, telescope and vessels.
• Training: Conduct peer reviews and provide working lead guidance.
• Documentation: Oversee PFD/P&ID development and fabrication detail accuracy across the department.
• Bill of Materials: Ensure precision in complex assembly drawings and material specifications.

Skills

Mentorship

Complex Systems

Quality Control

Standardization

Technical Resource

Complex Project Execution

Training

Documentation

Bill of Materials

Education

Associate degree or technical certification in Mechanical Design

Tools

AutoCAD

E3D/PDMS

SAP / ERP

Job description

Zeppelin Systems USA, Inc. is an expert in plant engineering for storing, conveying, mixing, dosing and weighing high quality bulk materials. We are part of the Zeppelin Systems Group, with more than 1,600 employees worldwide, the company supports its customers from various industries from plant design and implementation to after-sales service. As a foundation company, the Zeppelin Group lives values that go back to aviation pioneer and visionary Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin. This is the fundament for a unique corporate culture in which \"creative power\" is at the heart of everything we do. Zeppelin's customer promise \"We Create Solutions\" also stands for this. At Zeppelin, you grow with your tasks. That's why we're looking for people who aren't afraid to take creative paths to find new solutions.

We are seeking a talented and motivated “Lead Mechanical Designer” to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and development of material handling equipment and systems, with a focus on both product design and mechanical/piping design. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure our solutions meet customer requirements, industry standards, and are optimized for performance and manufacturability. The Lead Mechanical Designer serves as the primary technical authority for bulk solids handling system designs, providing expert guidance and mentorship to the mechanical design team. This role leads to the execution of high-complexity projects, ensuring technical accuracy, standardization, and consistency across all design outputs. The Lead Mechanical Designer oversees the development of detailed 2D/3D layouts, complex system integrations, PFDs, P&IDs, and fabrication details while coordinating quality control reviews and supporting continuous training for junior staff. Acting as a working lead, this position drives best-in-class design practices, supports departmental growth, and serves as the go-to subject matter expert for intricate steel structures, piping, vessels, and system-level assemblies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mentorship: Technical onboarding and continuous training of new hires.
• Complex Systems: Lead design on high-stakes or technically challenging \"System\" drawings.

• Quality Control: Reviewing team outputs for technical accuracy and adherence to standards.
• Standardization: Developing and maintaining fabrication details for proprietary components.

• Technical Resource: Act as the \"subject matter expert\" for layouts, piping, and P&IDs.

• Complex Project Execution: Manage design for intricate steel structures, silos, loading head, telescope and vessels.

• Training: Conduct peer reviews and provide \"working lead\" guidance on routing and arrangements.

• Documentation: Oversee PFD/P&ID development and fabrication detail accuracy across the department.
• Bill of Materials: Ensure precision in complex assembly drawings and material specifications.

Job requirement and Desired Skills:

• Associate degree or advanced technical certification in Mechanical Design or related degree preferred.
• 10+ years of direct experience as a designer/drafter in industrial systems with fabrication knowledge.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to junior staff.
• Representative system/equipment experience to include:
  • Bulk material handling of dry materials, weighing, dosing, and batching
  • Pneumatic conveying systems (dilute & dense phase technology)
  • Loading head and telescope equipment for rail car area
  • Basic knowledge of dust collection systems/equipment, filtration, compressors & PD blowers, heat exchangers
  • Cyclones, rotary valves, diverter valves, LIW feeders, metering screws, scales, silos, blenders, discharge aids and weight hoppers.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, policies, standards, and best practices (ASME, ANSI, API. etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in 2D/3D layouts and complex system integration
• Demonstrable proficiency with AutoCAD and 3D platform (E3D(PDMS) is recommended)
• Demonstrable proficiency working with SAP or similar MRP/ERP systems
• Demonstrable proficiency working with complex engineering BoMs (Bill of Materials)
• Participate in design reviews and implement feedback to enhance design quality and safety
• Provide technical support during the manufacturing, assembly, and installation phases
• Interface with clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure project alignment and customer satisfaction
• Develop P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) and ensure compliance with industry standards
• Select appropriate materials, components, and equipment for mechanical and piping systems
• Collaborate with project engineers, manager and construction teams to ensure accurate installation and functionality
• Design and layout mechanical systems, including piping and ductwork, for material handling projects.
• Ability to work with multiple discipline projects simultaneously
• Excellent organizational, time management, leadership, and decision-making skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• 10-15% project/fabrication related to travel