Mechanical Engineer

JM Eagle, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

JM Eagle, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to drive equipment procurement, design, and installation for PVC/PE pipe manufacturing facilities across North America.

You will manage vendor relationships, specifications, and project execution from concept through startup. The role combines mechanical engineering, vendor negotiations, and AutoCAD-based drawings, with opportunities to lead plant upgrades and continuous-improvement initiatives within a large manufacturing network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering.
• At least 5 years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing environments.
• Strong experience with industrial or manufacturing equipment.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and MS Project.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical drawings and equipment specifications.
• Experience developing technical specs and evaluating vendor proposals.
• Strong project-management skills from concept to completion.
• Experience collaborating with equipment suppliers and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Specify and purchase industrial equipment for PVC/PE pipe manufacturing.
• Evaluate ancillary utilities equipment such as chillers and air compressors.
• Design chilled-water piping and pneumatic conveying systems for plants.
• Create equipment specifications with plant personnel and suppliers.
• Prepare vendor quotations and evaluate technical proposals.
• Develop equipment layouts using AutoCAD drawings.
• Coordinate with suppliers, HQ, and plant teams to meet project requirements.
• Manage supplier performance, schedules, and project deliverables.
• Lead purchasing documentation, price negotiations, and payment tracking.
• Oversee projects from initiation to completion, including logistics.

Skills

AutoCAD

Vendor management

Project management

Manufacturing equipment

MS Office

Reading technical drawings

Vendor proposals evaluation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

MS Project

Job description

About Us

JM Eagle is the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic pipe, with manufacturing facilities across North America. Our Engineering team supports plant expansions, equipment upgrades, process improvements, and infrastructure projects that help keep our manufacturing operations running safely and efficiently.

We’re looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support engineering projects involving manufacturing equipment, utility systems, material handling, and plant improvements.

The Opportunity

This is a hands‑on engineering and project‑management role for someone who enjoys taking an equipment or plant‑improvement project from initial concept and specifications through purchasing, installation, and startup.

You’ll work directly with plant personnel, equipment suppliers, vendors, and our corporate Engineering team on projects involving PVC and PE pipe manufacturing equipment, chilled‑water systems, pneumatic conveying systems, utilities, quality‑testing equipment, and other plant infrastructure.

This role combines mechanical engineering with vendor management, equipment procurement, AutoCAD design, and project execution.

What You’ll Do

• Specify, evaluate, and purchase industrial equipment used in PVC and PE pipe manufacturing, including downstream equipment such as bellers and hydrotesters.
• Evaluate and purchase ancillary and utility equipment including chillers, air compressors, and related systems.
• Design chilled‑water piping systems and pneumatic conveying systems for manufacturing facilities.
• Develop equipment specifications in collaboration with plant personnel and equipment suppliers.
• Create, evaluate, and compare technical specifications and vendor quotations for manufacturing equipment.
• Use AutoCAD to develop equipment layouts, piping layouts, and related engineering drawings.
• Coordinate with suppliers, HQ personnel, and plant teams to ensure equipment quality, logistics, installation, and startup meet project requirements.
• Manage supplier performance, equipment quality, schedules, and project deliverables.
• Prepare purchasing documentation and participate directly in price negotiations, approval processes, payment submissions, and tracking.
• Manage engineering projects from initiation through completion, including proposal review, scheduling, execution, supplier follow‑up, and logistics.
• Troubleshoot project and equipment issues and coordinate solutions with internal teams and external vendors.
• Support plant expansions, equipment upgrades, and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Perform other engineering and project‑related duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Strong experience working with industrial or manufacturing equipment.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical drawings and equipment specifications.
• Experience developing technical specifications and evaluating vendor proposals.
• Strong project‑management skills with the ability to manage projects from concept through completion.
• Experience working directly with equipment suppliers and vendors.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, identify trends, troubleshoot problems, and develop corrective action plans.
• Working knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry as applied to engineering projects.

Nice to Have

• Experience in plastics, extrusion, pipe manufacturing, or another continuous manufacturing environment.
• Experience with PVC and/or PE extrusion operations.
• Experience with downstream pipe equipment such as bellers or hydrotesters.
• Experience designing pneumatic conveying or material‑handling systems.
• Experience with industrial utilities such as chillers and compressed‑air systems.
• Experience with equipment procurement, vendor negotiations, and capital equipment projects.
• Experience coordinating equipment installation, commissioning, or startup at manufacturing facilities.

Why JM Eagle

• Work on engineering projects supporting manufacturing facilities across North America.
• Gain exposure to a wide variety of manufacturing equipment, utilities, material‑handling systems, and plant infrastructure.
• Own projects from equipment specification and design through purchasing, installation, and startup.
• Work directly with plant teams, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and Engineering leadership.
• Contribute to plant expansions and continuous‑improvement projects with a direct impact on manufacturing operations.
• Comprehensive benefits and opportunities to work on large‑scale industrial engineering projects.
• Onsite Monday-Thursday in Los Angeles, with remote Fridays.