Mechanical Design Engineer

Grafton Wi; Town of Grafton (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with match and immediate vestig

PTO 18 days annually

PTO carryover

10 holidays

Job summary

Yamato Corporation seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to design, develop, and test new equipment from concept through prototype to final release. You will work cross-functionally with engineering, sales, purchasing, and accounting to ensure innovative, cost-effective, and market-ready machinery solutions.

The role requires completing designs with fabrication and assembly details, and collaborating to optimize costs and performance while adhering to safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred; associate degree + experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Design approved new equipment concepts with fabrication, purchasing and assembly details.
• Improve existing equipment to enhance performance and reduce costs.
• Collaborate with sales and applications engineering to assess feasibility and meet requirements.
• Coordinate with purchasing and vendors for budget pricing and cost estimates.
• Assist in assembly, testing, and validation of R&D equipment.
• Provide detailed specifications and documentation for sales and engineering.
• Enter equipment data into ERP and manage related POs with finance.
• Travel 10–20% to support R&D, supplier, and customer needs.
• Participate in meetings and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

3D parametric modeling

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Associate degree in Mechanical Design + experience

Tools

Inventor

AutoCAD

ERP software

Job description

This is an onsite role in Grafton, WI. Candidates must be able to commute daily; remote work is not available.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

About Yamato:

Yamato is a global leader in advanced weighing, filling, and inspection solutions, with a legacy dating back to 1920. The company manufactures weighing technology used in heavy industrial and food applications.

Yamato Corporation Offers Exceptional Employee Benefits

At Yamato Corporation, we prioritize the well-being of our employees. As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: We provide 100% company-paid premiums for health, dental, and vision coverage, along with life insurance and both short- and long-term disability options. Your health is important to us, and we are committed to supporting it.
• 401(k) with Company Match & Immediate Vesting: Eligibility for our 401(k) plan begins the first day of the month following 30 days of service, with a 4% company match on employee contributions of 5% or more. Best of all, you are fully vested in the employer match from day one.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): We understand the importance of work-life balance. Our employees accrue 18 days of PTO each calendar year, allowing you to rest, recharge, and focus on what matters to you most.
• PTO Carryover Benefits: Enjoy flexibility with our PTO carryover policy, which allows a portion of unused PTO to be carried over into the following year, providing you with additional time off when needed.
• 10 Company-Paid Holidays: Celebrate and unwind with 10 paid holidays each calendar year, ensuring you have time to relax and enjoy life outside of work.

JOB FUNCTION:

The Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing new equipment based on market requirements. This role takes equipment design from concept through prototype and final release, collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, sales, purchasing, and accounting to ensure innovative, cost-effective, and market-ready machinery solutions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Equipment Design & Development:
  Design approved new equipment concepts, including all fabrication, purchasing, and assembly details required to manufacture new machinery.
• Product Improvement & Cost Optimization:
  Review existing company equipment to identify design improvements, performance enhancements, and fabrication cost-saving opportunities.
• Sales & Applications Engineering Collaboration:
  Work closely with sales and applications engineering teams to evaluate the technical feasibility, risk, and viability of proposed equipment designs. Ensure proposed machinery meets project and customer requirements.
• Vendor & Budgetary Coordination:
  Partner with purchasing and external vendors to obtain budgetary pricing for viable projects. Develop and present machine concepts with cost estimates to support equipment pricing and market feasibility decisions.
• Research & Development Support:
  Assist in the assembly, testing, and validation of new R&D equipment to ensure performance, safety, and quality standards are met.
• Technical Documentation & Specifications:
  Provide detailed equipment specifications, capabilities, and technical documentation to sales and applications engineering teams for newly developed machinery.
• ERP & Procurement Support:
  Enter all required equipment data into the company ERP system. Coordinate with purchasing and accounting to ensure proper purchase orders are issued to internal and external vendors related to R&D systems.
• Travel & Industry Research:
  Travel approximately 10–20% to support R&D investigative research, supplier collaboration, and customer or project needs.
• General Responsibilities:
  Participate in engineering and project meetings, support continuous improvement initiatives, and perform additional duties as assigned to support company objectives and product innovation goals.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• · Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field preferred. Minimum of Associates degree in Mechanical Design plus experience required.
• · Minimum of four to ten years’ experience in electro-mechanical machine design required; motion control and food grade equipment experience strongly preferred.

Technical & Mechanical Skills:

• · Proficient in 3D parametric modeling and 2D AutoCAD required. We use Inventor.
• · Strong understanding of mechanical design, fabrication, and manufacturing processes.

Project & Organizational Skills:

• · Strong project management capabilities with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• · Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• · Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• · Self-motivated with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

Software & Systems Proficiency:

• · Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) required.
• · Prior experience with ERP systems preferred.

Travel & Compliance:

• · Valid driver’s license required and must be insurable.
• · Valid passport required for international travel.
• · Flexibility to travel 10–20% based on project and customer needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time at the computer station while typing and operating computer system software. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms and lift up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER: The above is only a summary of the typical functions of this job. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of this job may differ from those outlined in the description and other duties, as assigned, might be part of this position.