Mechanical Design Engineer

MSI Defense Solutions; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off – 120 hours per year

Continuing Education

Job summary

MSI Defense Solutions is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to review design requirements, develop CAD models, and manage drawings and BOMs for production. The role emphasizes skeleton top-down parametric modeling in Creo, attention to manufacturing feasibility, and collaboration with Project Managers to keep schedules on track.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in automotive/defense vehicle sectors, CREO CAD proficiency, Windchill, and experience with FEA tools such as Ansys.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering required.
• 5+ years in automotive, motorsports or defense vehicle field.
• Experience with sheet metal, weldments, and machined parts a plus.
• 3+ years as high-level CREO CAD user.
• 1 year Windchill PDM experience.
• FEA experience with Ansys is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience designing and analyzing automotive components and systems.
• Self-motivated, organized and responsible; leadership abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and interact with diverse teams.
• Knowledge of machining practices and fabrication shop procedures.
• MS Office experience.
• ITAR US Person status and potential security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Understand vehicle sub-systems (chassis, suspension, drivetrain, brakes, exterior/interior, payload, electrical, HVAC).
• Develop and manage vehicle components and assemblies in CAD; update project schedules.
• Model using PTC Creo 7.0 with skeleton top-down parametric modeling.
• Conduct structural FEA or analyses; coordinate with external partners when needed.
• Support prototypes with production and ensure CAD reflects manufacturing changes.
• Maintain thorough BOMs and production drawings; document design changes.
• Understand MSI ERP and cross-department workflow across the product life cycle.

Skills

5+ yrs auto/defense exp

Sheet metal & weldments

CREO CAD 3+ yrs

Windchill PDM

Ansys FEA

Communication skills

Automotive design

Self-motivation

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Machining knowledge

MS Office

ITAR compliance

Security clearance possible

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering

Tools

CREO CAD

Windchill PDM

Ansys

Job description

Position Overview

The Mechanical Design Engineer's responsibilities include but are not limited to; review project design requirements, provide input for potential additional requirements, develop, and execute the design of ideas for the product, review and justify designs during preliminary and critical project design reviews. The Design Engineer will create CAD models using MSI's parametric skeleton strategy, fully defining the bill of materials of the system. The Design Engineer will also manage the development of the drawing package used to convey the system requirement to the production team. The Design Engineer will ensure designs meet the goals and requirements outlined for the project and will report the design's status to the Project Manager to ensure it remains in line with the master project schedule. The Design Engineer will work with the Engineering Team to continuously promote professional self-growth and design knowledge.

Position Overview

The Mechanical Design Engineers will report to the Design Engineer Manager. This position requires a full-time work week spent in the shop/office. Normal hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00am-4:30pm and Friday 7:00am-12:00pm. (Must be flexible to work additional hours as needed based on project requirements and deadlines).

Key Responsibilities

• Must demonstrate understanding of the function and purpose of vehicle sub-systems including, but not limited to chassis, suspension, drive train, brakes, exterior and interior systems, payload capacity, electrical, HVAC, fluid cooling systems. General hands-on experience with automotive or vehicle systems is a plus.
• Develop and manage vehicle components and assemblies in CAD. Use experience/knowledge to generate new design ideas. Work with Project Managers to provide continual schedule updates towards the progress of the overall project. MSI's design goals are to develop superior products by utilizing sound engineering principles and creative thinking. Our manufacturing goals are to minimize lead time and cost while building a high-quality component. The Design Engineer shall have experience with the application of GD&T techniques and ASME Y14.5 practices.
• Modeling at MSI is performed using PTC Creo 7.0. MSI has proven itself to be a leader with an "unmatched speed to market" approach by utilizing skeleton top-down parametric modeling. The Design Engineer shall understand the relationships that are built throughout the model using "external copy geometry" through assembly skeletons. A Senior Design Engineer will provide guidance of the model tree's parent and child structure relationships for each project. Design Engineers execute the design structure in the CAD system throughout the products developmental lifecycle process.
• The Design Engineer may perform structural FEA or mathematical analyses of a design within their capabilities. Experience with Ansys software is a plus. When necessary, the Design Engineer will work with outside FEA partners to manage and support the analysis effort by providing necessary information to these outside partners so they can provide MSI with a complete and through analysis summary that either confirms or directs modification of the design(s). The Design Engineer will also provide guidance to the Project Manager on when FEA should be used to validate a design. This will allow the Project Manager to plan and budget for the requested resources.
• The Design Engineer will work with the production team and vendor base to produce the prototypes. The Design Engineer will be expected to support manufacturing in the development of prototypes to ensure that the required changes for manufacturing are reported and implemented back to the CAD system. The Design Engineer is required to have a strong understanding of standard prototyping manufacturing methods.
• Contribute to developing and maintaining thorough and complete BOM's and production of accurate drawings for use in manufacturing processes and configuration management. Produce reports detailing analysis and design changes when necessary.
• Be able to develop a clear understanding of MSI's ERP system and how the other departments of the company function throughout the product life cycle.

Skills And Qualifications Required

• Minimum of a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or similar
• Minimum 5 years in appropriate automotive, motorsports or defense vehicle related field
• Experience with sheet metal, weldments, and machined parts is a plus
• 3+ years as high-level CAD user preferred (CREO Preferred)
• Minimum of 1 year of PDM experience (Windchill Preferred)
• Experience in FEA (Ansys) is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience designing and analyzing automotive components and systems
• Highly motivated, organized, and responsible.
• Leadership skills
• Ability to interact with all types of people under pressure
• Knowledge of machining practices, industry workings, fabrication shop procedures
• Microsoft Office Suite experience
• Must be able to verify U.S. Person Status as defined by International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Ability to obtain security clearance if deemed necessary for position.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization's facilities.

Benefits

• 401(k) with employer match
• Dental Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Parental and Maternity Leave
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off – 120 hours per year to start (prorated in first year of employment)
• Continuing Education
• Annual Year End Paid Holiday Closure

Classification

• Position is full-time, Exempt

MSI Defense Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.