Mechanical Engineer II (Product Development Engineering)

Life Fitness; Ramsey (MN); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to design and analyze components for cardio and strength equipment at our Ramsey, MN facility. This hybrid role involves SolidWorks design, BOM management, and cross‑functional collaboration with Product Management, manufacturing, and suppliers.

You will perform FEA, tolerance analyses, and develop prototypes, while mentoring peers and supporting field and service issues. Travel up to 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent (required).
• 3+ years of mechanical engineering experience in related field.
• Efficient with 3D CAD software; SolidWorks preferred.
• Knowledge of GD&T and BOM development/management.
• Capability to perform analyses (FEA, heat transfer, dynamics) and design calculations.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design components and systems using SolidWorks (sheet metal, castings, structural parts).
• Perform engineering analyses (FEA, dynamic simulations, tolerance analysis) to prove feasibility.
• Develop product specifications, timelines and test plans with cross-functional teams.
• Release production BOMs and prototype parts; lead process improvements.
• Travel up to ~20% for supplier visits, prototyping and production activities.

Skills

CAD

FEM/FEA

Communication

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Teamcenter

PLM tools

GD&T

Job description

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 II 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 our manufacturing facility in Ramsey, MN. M/F remote and T-Th are in‑office collaboration days. #LI-Hybrid

As a Mechanical Engineer at Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, you will:

• Conceptualize, design and document components and systems consisting of sheet metal, castings, structural tubing, plastic and electromechanical components using SolidWorks design software.
• Perform engineering analyses, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), dynamic simulations, design calculations, and tolerance analysis, to prove out the feasibility of component and sub‑system designs.
• Work with the product development team to develop product specifications and timelines.
• Work with reliability and compliance teams to develop component and product test plans.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines, Product Management, manufacturing, purchasing and document control departments within Life Fitness as well as outside customers and vendors.
• Ensure product and component designs meet aesthetic, reliability, cost, manufacturability and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and procure prototype parts and build prototype units.
• Develop and release production Bills of Materials (BOM's).
• Lead projects to improve Mechanical Engineering department processes and procedures, as assigned.
• Follow Life Fitness Mechanical Engineering departmental procedures and design guidelines to complete engineering tasks as assigned.
• Travel up to approximately 20% to support supplier visits, prototyping, and production activities.
• Mentor others within the department.

What Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is looking for in our Mechanical Engineer:

• Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, required 3+ years of experience as a mechanical engineer in a related field
• Efficient with 3D CAD software, SolidWorks preferred
• Good understanding of drawing development and drafting standards.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) preferred
• Good understanding of BOM development/management
• Capable of completing engineering analyses, such as: FEA, heat transfer, dynamic simulation, various hand calculations
• Good knowledge of metal part design, including: sheet metal, weldments, castings, machined components, aluminum extrusions
• Good knowledge of plastic component design, preferred, including: injection molding, extrusions, thermoforming
• Knowledge of electromechanical component design/application, preferred
• Working knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, such as Teamcenter preferred
• Working knowledge of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) tools preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with external and internal teams
• Demonstrated indirect leadership experience in professional or volunteer organizations preferred

At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength,we think customer first,play as one team, andraise the bar on fitness innovation—in the gym and in every corner of our facilities. Wepersevere and get it done, with a clear purpose toinspire each other to live healthier lives.

At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we believe in taking care of our team with a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive pay and a range of valuable benefits.

The salary range for this position, intended for U.S. applicants, is $81,000 - $117,400 annually.

Benefits

• a 401(k) savings plan with 4% employer match
• medical, dental and vision insurance
• parental, medical and military leaves of absence
• paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year
• paid vacation days beginning at 13 days annually
• paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws
• company paid short-term disability and optional long-term disability
• health savings account
• health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts
• employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance
• hospital indemnity
• identity protection
• legal services
• adoption assistance
• tuition assistance
• commuter benefits
• employee discounts
• an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions

Employees also have access to our state‑of‑the‑art on‑site fitness center featuring industry‑leading Life Fitness and Hammer Strength equipment, making it easy to support health and wellness before, during, or after the workday.

Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.

All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment, recruitment and hiring.

All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength has been inspiring the world to work out for more than 55 years. Every day, exercisers in more than 150 countries log in 1+ million workouts on the company’s connected fitness equipment – proving daily that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength is the world’s workout partner of choice.

By seamlessly bringing innovative, high‑performance and reliable equipment, wherever and whenever they work out, Life Fitness/Hammer Strength aims to inspire healthier lives.

Headquartered outside of Chicago, in Rosemont, Illinois, the company manufactures and sells strength and cardiovascular equipment through its iconic Life Fitness and Hammer Strength brands.

Life Fitnessis synonymous with innovation and quality in the cardio and strength training arena. The company’s cutting‑edge equipment is designed to inspire and motivate, helping exercisers achieve their fitness goals with ease and efficiency.

Hammer Strengthstands as a testament to raw power and durability. Renowned for its line of plate‑loaded equipment, we dominate the strength training category with machines that are built to withstand the most intense workouts, trusted by athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide.

By integrating the best of both brands, the company provides comprehensive workout solutions for commercial and consumer customers.

For more information, visit www.lifefitness.com.

Our values drive how we work, grow, and win—together: We think customer first: We’re proactive, adaptable, and always improving the customer experience. We play as one team: We care, collaborate, and pick each other up—we win and lose together. We raise the bar on fitness innovation: We lead, not follow—pushing fitness further every day. We persevere and get it done: We out‑work, out‑match, and never compromise on quality or performance. We inspire each other to live healthier lives: We support well‑being, inside and outside of work, to build a healthier world—together.