Mechanical Designer — 3D and Process Design

Modern Process Equipment Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Major medical

401(k)

Profit sharing

Hands-on training

Growth path

Job summary

Modern Process Equipment (MPE) in Chicago, IL is seeking a Mechanical Designer to transform custom processing equipment from concept to finished build. You will model integrated grinding, conveying, and plant systems in 3D, draft mezzanines and structure, and work directly with sales, PMs, and customers to translate requirements into manufacturable designs.

You will apply R&D thinking to invent improvements, prototype ideas, and iterate with the engineering team, ensuring designs can be welded,

Qualifications

• 2-year degree in mechanical drafting/design (or 4-year engineering degree).
• Industrial design experience on equipment that gets built.
• Process plant or food/beverage equipment experience a plus.
• Exposure to sanitary or USDA/FDA equipment standards a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build 2D and 3D models of grinding, conveying, and plant systems.
• Take customer orders from concept through manufacturing.
• Spec mezzanines, structural components, and process equipment integration.
• Prepare approval, fabrication, and installation drawing packages.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable in-house and by external fabricators.

Skills

3D modeling

2D drafting

GD&T

Fabrication basics

Plant design

Education

Mechanical drafting/design degree

Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Mechanical Designer - 3D & Process Design

Modern Process Equipment (MPE) · Chicago, IL · Full-time

Chicago, IL (on-site) | Full-time | Design & Engineering | Occasional travel (<10%)

About MPE

• Family-owned for 65+ years - over 90% of North American coffee runs through MPE grinders
• All products designed and manufactured in Chicago - small-company culture, enterprise-level impact
• Customers include Starbucks, Nestlé, Purina, and Hershey's
• Markets served: coffee, pet food, cereal, craft brewing, dried nuts & chemical processing

The Role

MPE is hiring a Mechanical Designer to take custom processing equipment from blank canvas to finished build. You'll model integrated systems in 3D, draft mezzanines and structural components, and work directly with our sales team, project managers, and the customers themselves - turning unique processing challenges into equipment that ships from our Chicago facility. You'll also get real R&D bandwidth to invent product improvements and tackle problems that don't have an answer yet. Not just CAD work - you'll see what you design get welded, machined, and shipped.

Responsibilities

Design & Modeling

• Build 2D and 3D models of integrated grinding, conveying, and complete plant systems
• Take customer orders from concept stage through manufacturing
• Spec mezzanines, structural components, and process equipment integration
• Prepare approval, fabrication, and installation drawing packages
• Ensure designs are manufacturable in-house and by external fabricators

Collaboration & Communication

• Work with sales to translate initial customer requirements into design direction
• Partner with project managers from concept through manufacturing
• Meet directly with customers to understand project goals and surface constraints early
• Participate in internal design reviews and walk customers through your work
• Communicate clearly across written drawings, calls, and shop-floor conversations

R&D & Innovation

• Develop product improvements and inventive solutions for open-ended problems
• Prototype new ideas and iterate with the engineering team
• Apply your engineering skill set to designs without an existing playbook
• Contribute to continuous improvement of MPE's product platform
• Watch designs go from screen to shop floor - and back to your desk for v2

Requirements

Education & Experience

• 2-year degree in mechanical drafting/design (or similar) - or 4-year engineering degree
• Industrial design experience required - you've worked on equipment that gets built
• Process plant or food/beverage equipment experience a plus
• Exposure to sanitary or USDA/FDA equipment standards a plus

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in 3D modeling - SolidWorks preferred
• Proficiency in 2D drafting - AutoCAD preferred
• Working knowledge of GD&T, fabrication processes, and materials
• Basic understanding of processing plant design
• Quick to grasp new technical concepts and product applications

Soft Skills

• Effective in front of a customer and on the shop floor
• Detail-oriented with a bias for action - you close loops
• Able to juggle multiple active projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Inventive - you can think outside the spec sheet

Culture Fit

• Results-oriented, accountable, and a genuine team player
• Comfortable taking initiative with limited direction
• Curious - you want to know how the equipment actually works
• Thrives in a small-company environment serving large customers
• Genuine desire to learn the industry

Benefits

• Competitive salary + bonus
• Major medical
• 401(k)
• Profit sharing
• Hands-on training
• Growth path