Mechanical Engineer I

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength; Owatonna (MN); Hybrid; USD 66,500 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement savings

Health insurance

Paid time off

Disability protection

Life insurance

Job summary

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is hiring a Mechanical Engineer I in Owatonna, MN. This role involves designing and developing components for fitness equipment using SolidWorks, and supporting product development from concept through production.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and has strong CAD skills. The hybrid position allows you to work from either Owatonna or Schaumburg, IL, with a salary range of $66,500 to $95,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Entry-level candidates encouraged to apply with less than 3 years experience.
• Understanding of 2D drawing creation and drafting standards.
• Basic knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Knowledge of plastic and metal part design including manufacturing considerations.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop components and assemblies using SolidWorks CAD software.
• Create 3D models, detailed drawings, and engineering documentation for manufacturing.
• Support product development activities including concept generation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product Management and Manufacturing.

Skills

Strong CAD skills

3D CAD software (SolidWorks)

Problem-solving ability

Effective communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Overview

Join us as we empower the world to work out, creating healthier lives together. Are you a Mechanical Engineer, passionate about fitness, and looking to gain hands-on experience and grow your skills? Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is looking for a Mechanical Engineer I to join our team. You'll be part of a team responsible for the design, analysis, and release of components and assemblies used in industry-leading cardio and strength fitness equipment, from concept through production launch. The role is ideal for a candidate with strong CAD skills, particularly in SolidWorks, and a willingness to learn and grow in part design and product development. The engineer will also support existing products by assisting in resolving field, service, and manufacturing issues as needed.

This is a hybrid role based out of either our manufacturing facility in Owatonna, MN, or the Nieto-Jones Innovation Center in Schaumburg, IL.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop components and assemblies using SolidWorks CAD software
• Create 3D models, detailed drawings, and engineering documentation for manufacturing
• Support product development activities, including concept generation, prototyping, and design validation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Manufacturing, Reliability, Purchasing, and suppliers
• Assist in developing product specifications, timelines, and test plans
• Support prototype builds, testing, and iterative design improvements
• Develop and release production Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Help resolve design-related issues for existing products in manufacturing and the field
• Travel up to approximately 20% to support supplier visits, prototyping, and production activities
• Follow Mechanical Engineering procedures and contribute to continuous improvement efforts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 0–3 years of experience (entry-level candidates encouraged to apply)
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
• Understanding of 2D drawing creation and drafting standards
• Basic knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Knowledge of plastic part design, including; injection molding, Part design for manufacturability (DFM), draft, ribs, bosses, and wall thickness considerations
• Knowledge of metal part design, including; sheet metal, weldments, castings, machined components and aluminum extrusions
• Exposure to engineering analysis methods (FEA or hand calculations preferred)
• Strong willingness to learn and develop technical skills in product design and manufacturing
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capability

Preferred Skills (Not Required)

• Internship, co-op, or academic project experience involving CAD design
• Exposure to plastic component design or consumer product development
• Familiarity with PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter)
• Hands-on experience with prototyping or fabrication
• Basic knowledge of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) principles

At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we think customer first, play as one team, and raise the bar on fitness innovation — in the gym and in every corner of our facilities. We persevere and get it done, with a clear purpose to inspire each other to live healthier lives. If you’re ready to bring out the best in people while powering the future of fitness manufacturing, we invite you to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position, intended for U.S. applicants, is $66,500 - $95,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on education, experience, skills, and abilities. The salary range reflects location-based variability for Owatonna, MN. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time team members, including retirement savings, health insurance, paid time off, holidays, disability protection, life insurance, and other perks as described in plan documents.

Equal Opportunity

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength complies with applicable laws regarding employment, recruitment, and hiring.

Security Note

There continues to be a significant increase in phishing attempts across all industries. Life Fitness/Hammer Strength will never ask for your financial information during the interview process and will only correspond through official domain email addresses.