Mechanical Engineer - Custom Automation & Capital Equipment

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range: $85,000-$120,000 per yr

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Occasional travel for customer visits,

Job summary

Koch Finishing Systems in Caledonia, MI near Grand Rapids, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and implement custom automated capital equipment, including plating and anodizing lines, tanks, platforms, and piping.

You will own the mechanical scope from concept through fabrication, installation, and startup, perform calculations, create 3D models (SolidWorks or Inventor), collaborate with controls and fabrication teams, and support commissioning on site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited preferred).
• 5+ years of engineering experience with custom automated machinery or capital equipment.
• Strong fundamentals in structural/mechanical analysis, material selection, tolerance stack-up, and failure analysis.
• Knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, servo/precision motion, sheet metal/weldment design.
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks or Inventor); PLM/PDm knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Engineer custom automated capital equipment (lines, tanks, platforms, piping, handling systems) meeting performance, safety, and quality requirements.
• Perform design calculations and analysis to support decisions.
• Translate customer requirements into functional, manufacturable solutions.
• Collaborate with controls, project managers, and fabrication teams on integrated systems.
• Own mechanical scope from concept through fabrication, installation, and commissioning, including field troubleshooting.
• Produce 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings (SolidWorks or Inventor) as outputs.
• Evaluate customer budgets and timelines to develop engineering solutions.
• Participate in customer design reviews representing the technical solution.
• Support project scheduling and execution with the Project Management team.

Skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

Koch Finishing Systems in Caledonia, MI near Grand Rapids, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and implement custom automated capital equipment, including plating and anodizing lines, tanks, platforms, and piping.

You will own the mechanical scope from concept through fabrication, installation, and startup, perform calculations, create 3D models (SolidWorks or Inventor), collaborate with controls and fabrication teams, and support commissioning on site.