Mechanical Engineer

South Western Communications, Inc.; Caledonia (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Koch Finishing Systems near Grand Rapids, Michigan, is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team. We design and build custom automated finishing systems—plating and anodizing lines, material handling, tanks, platforms, and piping—for diverse industries.

From concept and calculations through fabrication and startup on the shop floor, you will own the mechanical scope, collaborating with controls, project management, and fabrication to deliver integrated systems.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of engineering experience with custom automated machinery or capital equipment.

Responsibilities

• Engineer custom automated capital equipment, including plating/anodizing lines, tanks, platforms, piping, and material handling systems, meeting performance, safety, and quality requirements.
• Perform engineering calculations and analyses (structural loads, tank/vessel design, material selection, corrosion resistance) to support design decisions.
• Translate customer process requirements and specifications into functional, manufacturable equipment solutions.
• Collaborate with controls engineers, project managers, and fabrication teams to deliver integrated automated systems.
• Own mechanical engineering scope from concept through fabrication, installation, and commissioning, including field troubleshooting.
• Produce 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar).
• Evaluate customer requirements, budgets, and timelines to develop effective engineering solutions.
• Participate in customer-facing concept and design reviews, representing the technical solution.
• Support project scheduling and execution with the Project Management team.

Skills

Structural analysis

Material selection

Tolerance stack-up

Failure analysis

Pneumatics

Hydraulics

Servo motion

Sheet metal design

Weldment design

GD&T

DFM/ DFA

Machining

Assembly

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

PLM/PDM

Job description

Mechanical Engineer - Custom Automation & Capital Equipment

Koch Finishing Systems | Caledonia, MI (Grand Rapids Area) | Full-Time

Koch Finishing Systems is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team near Grand Rapids, Michigan. We engineer and build custom automated finishing systems - including automated plating and anodizing lines, material handling systems, process tanks, platforms, and piping - used for cleaning, stripping, electroplating, coating, and conversion coating across a wide range of industries. This role is ideal for a mechanical engineer who enjoys solving complex capital equipment engineering challenges, from concept and calculations through fabrication and startup on the shop floor.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $85,000-$120,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Occasional travel for customer visits, installation, and commissioning support

Key Responsibilities

• Engineer custom automated capital equipment - including plating/anodizing process lines, tanks, platforms, piping, and material handling systems - applying sound engineering principles to meet performance, safety, and quality requirements
• Perform engineering calculations and analysis (structural loads, tank/vessel design, material selection, corrosion resistance) to support design decisions
• Translate customer process requirements and specifications into functional, manufacturable equipment solutions
• Collaborate with controls engineers, project managers, and fabrication teams to deliver integrated automated systems
• Own mechanical engineering scope from concept through fabrication, installation, and commissioning, including field troubleshooting
• Produce 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar) as an output of the engineering process
• Evaluate customer requirements, budgets, and timelines to develop effective engineering solutions
• Participate in customer-facing concept and design reviews, representing the technical solution
• Support project scheduling and execution with the Project Management team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (required)
• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience with custom automated machinery, capital equipment, or special machine design - hands-on drafting/design-only experience does not substitute for this requirement
• Demonstrated experience applying engineering fundamentals: structural/mechanical analysis, material selection, tolerance stack-up, and failure analysis
• Working knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, servo/precision motion, and sheet metal or weldment design
• Experience engineering tanks, platforms, piping, or material handling equipment a strong plus; plating or anodizing process equipment experience a plus
• Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar) as an engineering tool; PLM/PDM experience a plus
• Working knowledge of GD&T and DFM/DFA principles
• Understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, and assembly
• Strong engineering problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or within a team

Why Koch Finishing Systems

You will be part of a team that delivers highly engineered, custom automation solutions used by manufacturers worldwide, with the opportunity to see your engineering work through from concept to installation. We're guided by our core values of Integrity, Respect for People, Customer Focus, Continuous Improvement, and Community Involvement. Equal Opportunity Employer: Including disability/veteran