Mechanical Engineer

I.K. Hofmann USA, Inc.; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

I.K. Hofmann USA, Inc.'s client is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to improve equipment performance on the production floor, collaborating with operations, maintenance, quality, safety, and other engineering partners.

This role involves troubleshooting recurring issues, leading capital projects from concept to startup, and developing practical improvements to reliability, safety, maintainability, energy use, and operating efficiency while documenting designs and coordinating with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience applying engineering fundamentals in a manufacturing, industrial, food-processing, packaging, or similarly complex operating environment.
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems, rotating equipment, conveyors, pumps, motors, pneumatics, hydraulics, and industrial utilities.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, equipment specifications, P&IDs, and layouts.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including experience with root-cause analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
• Experience leading capital projects, equipment installations, or process-improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with reliability-centered maintenance, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar improvement methods.
• Experience with CAD, maintenance-management, project-management, or manufacturing data systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering support for production, packaging, utilities, and facility systems.
• Investigate equipment failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Lead or support capital projects from concept and equipment selection through installation, startup, and closeout.
• Develop practical improvements to improve equipment reliability, safety, maintainability, energy use, and operating efficiency.
• Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including equipment specifications, layouts, process changes, and standard work.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers, contractors, and internal stakeholders to deliver projects safely and on schedule.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, commissioning activities, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Support compliance with company standards, applicable codes, and environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Communicate project status, technical recommendations, risks, and results to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Skills

Problem-solving

Root-cause analysis

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Multi-priority management

Reading mechanical drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD

Maintenance-management

Project-management

Manufacturing data systems

Job description

A client of I.K. Hofmann's is looking for a hands-on Mechanical Engineer. In this role, you will work alongside operations, maintenance, quality, safety, and other engineering partners to improve equipment performance and solve the mechanical challenges that matter most on the production floor.

This is an opportunity for an engineer who enjoys turning observations into practical solutions -from troubleshooting recurring equipment issues to leading projects that improve throughput, reliability, and product quality.

Job Duties:

• Provide mechanical engineering support for production, packaging, utilities, and facility systems.
• Investigate equipment failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Lead or support capital projects from concept and equipment selection through installation, startup, and closeout.
• Develop practical improvements to improve equipment reliability, safety, maintainability, energy use, and operating efficiency.
• Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including equipment specifications, layouts, process changes, and standard work.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers, contractors, and internal stakeholders to deliver projects safely and on schedule.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, commissioning activities, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Support compliance with company standards, applicable codes, and environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Communicate project status, technical recommendations, risks, and results to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Experience / Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience applying engineering fundamentals in a manufacturing, industrial, food-processing, packaging, or similarly complex operating environment.
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems, rotating equipment, conveyors, pumps, motors, pneumatics, hydraulics, and industrial utilities.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, equipment specifications, P&IDs, and layouts.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including experience with root-cause analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
• Experience leading capital projects, equipment installations, or process-improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with reliability-centered maintenance, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar improvement methods.
• Experience with CAD, maintenance-management, project-management, or manufacturing data systems.