Mechanical Engineer - Component Development

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.; Lewiston (ID); On-site; USD 101,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock ownership plan (ESOP)

401(k) plan

Comprehensive benefits package

Holidays and vacation

Sick days and family leave

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. seeks a Mechanical Engineer to design tooling and prototype systems in a hands-on role. You will create assemblies with CAD software, develop manufacturing processes, and evaluate materials and concepts in a collaborative environment.

The role emphasizes practical problem solving, fabrication skills, and contributions from concept through implementation. Strong communication and teamwork are valued in this employee-owned company.

Qualifications

• Requires a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with part and assembly design.
• Comfortable in engineering and manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on development and prototyping experience.

Responsibilities

• Design tooling, fixtures, manufacturing equipment, and prototype systems.
• Create mechanical designs and assemblies using CAD.
• Develop, build, test, and improve prototype equipment and processes.
• Design experiments and evaluate materials, processes, and concepts.
• Troubleshoot equipment and processes to identify root causes and improvements.
• Collaborate with technicians, operators, suppliers, and engineers from other disciplines.
• Support automation and process improvement in manufacturing capabilities.
• Perform mechanical analysis, tolerance studies, and DFM/ DFA evaluations.
• Create and maintain BOMs, docs, test reports, and work instructions.
• Qualify components, materials, and suppliers.
• Develop test plans, conduct testing, analyze results, and communicate recommendations.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

CAD software

Hands-on fabrication

Problem solving

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD software

Job description

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is as comfortable in a shop, lab, or manufacturing area as they are behind a computer. Our team develops the equipment, processes, and technologies that enable SEL's future manufacturing capabilities. Success in this role comes from curiosity, practical problem solving, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and turn ideas into working solutions. We value engineers who enjoy working with their hands as much as they enjoy working at a computer. Whether your experience comes from designing and building machines, machining parts, restoring equipment, fabricating projects, working in manufacturing, or developing products from concept through implementation, we want engineers who are motivated to solve real-world engineering problems. One project might involve designing and building prototype manufacturing equipment, while the next could involve developing tooling, evaluating new materials, automating a process, or scaling a promising technology toward production. If you enjoy solving challenging problems and seeing your ideas become reality, we'd like to talk with you.

As a Mechanical Engineer, a typical day might include:

• Design and develop tooling, fixtures, manufacturing equipment, and prototype systems.
• Create mechanical designs and assemblies using CAD software.
• Develop, build, test, and improve prototype equipment and manufacturing processes.
• Design experiments and evaluate materials, processes, and manufacturing concepts.
• Troubleshoot equipment, processes, and mechanical systems to identify root causes and implement improvements.
• Work closely with technicians, operators, suppliers, and engineers from other disciplines to solve challenging technical problems.
• Support automation, process improvement, and manufacturing capability development projects.
• Perform mechanical analysis, tolerance studies, and design-for-manufacturability evaluations.
• Create and maintain bills of materials, engineering documentation, test reports, and work instructions.
• Qualify components, materials, and suppliers.
• Develop test plans, conduct testing, analyze results, and communicate recommendations.

This job might be for you if:

• You have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
• You possess strong mechanical aptitude and enjoy building, troubleshooting, and improving physical systems.
• You have experience with part and assembly design.
• You are comfortable working in both engineering and manufacturing environments.
• You enjoy solving practical problems and implementing solutions.
• You can effectively communicate technical information through writing, documentation, and presentations.
• You enjoy learning new technologies and tackling unfamiliar challenges.

Additional experience that may help you succeed in this role includes:

• Manufacturing equipment design.
• Tooling and fixture design.
• Automation, pneumatics, or motion control systems.
• Machining, fabrication, or welding.
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
• Process development and continuous improvement.
• Materials evaluation and testing.
• Experimental design and data analysis.
• Thermal, structural, or vibration analysis.
• SolidWorks or similar CAD software.
• Personal technical projects, fabrication experience, automotive projects, machining experience, maker activities, or other hands-on technical pursuits.

What makes someone successful in this role? Successful engineers on the Component Development team are curious builders. They are comfortable moving between engineering analysis and hands-on implementation. They enjoy developing prototypes, running experiments, gathering data, and iterating on designs until they work reliably. The most successful engineers in this role combine strong engineering fundamentals with practical experience and a desire to learn. They take ownership of problems, collaborate effectively with others, and are motivated by creating technologies and manufacturing capabilities that can have a lasting impact on SEL's future.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work. People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners.

We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

We’re 100% employee owned.

Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options. We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer:

• 10 paid holidays
• annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days
• 9 paid sick days
• paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay

Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data: Mechanical Engineer - $100,600-$144,400 Our compensation ranges are based on the responsibilities of the role. Starting pay is determined individually and considers factors such as relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and training. Candidates may be considered at different levels based on their background. As a result, pay may vary to align with the level of the role.

Communication with Applicants We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at [e-mail].

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

SEL invents, designs, and builds digital products and systems that protect power grids around the world. This technology prevents blackouts and enables customers to improve power system reliability and safety at a reduced cost.

A 100 percent employee-owned company headquartered in Pullman, Washington, SEL has manufactured products in the United States since 1984 and now serves customers worldwide.

Our mission is simple: to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical.