Mechanical Engineering Manager - Material Handling Equipment (MHE)

KPI Solutions; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

KPI Solutions seeks a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead the mechanical design team in developing material handling equipment and systems. You will guide the full product lifecycle from concept through field support, build team capability, set standards, and ensure safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of equipment.

The role emphasizes leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and adherence to industry codes, with a competitive salary and opportunities for growth in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in mechanical engineering or related field required.
• 10+ years mechanical design in material handling or automation.
• 3-5+ years leading engineering teams.
• Strong machine design knowledge: statics, dynamics, strength of materials, power transmission, structural steel.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers and designers across full product lifecycle.
• Balance workloads across multiple projects and development programs.
• Ensure compliance with codes and standards (ASME, CMAA, OSHA, ISO).
• Direct mechanical design of equipment, review models, drawings, and BOMs.
• Lead design reviews and DFMEA; drive DFM/DFT/DFMA initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet timelines and budgets.

Skills

Team leadership

Mechanical design

3D CAD

GD&T

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Professional Engineer (PE) license (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Creo

PDM/PLM

ANSYS

ERP systems

Job description

KPI Solutions is looking for a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead our mechanical design team in developing material handling equipment and systems. Our portfolio includes [conveyors, sortation systems, AS/RS, cranes and hoists, lift tables, AGVs/AMR, racking, and custom automation.You will lead a team of mechanical engineers and designers through the full product lifecycle, from concept and quotation support to detailed design, manufacturing release, installation, and field support. You will also build the team's technical capability, set engineering standards, and make sure our equipment is safe, reliable, cost-effective, and compliant with industry codes.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of [X] mechanical engineers, designers, and drafters, including hiring, performance reviews, and career development.
• Assign and balance workloads across concurrent customer projects and new product development programs.
• Build a culture of technical excellence, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Engineering and Design Oversight: Direct the mechanical design of material handling equipment, including structures, drive systems, power transmission, bearings, chains, belts, rollers, lifting mechanisms, and guarding.
• Review and approve designs, calculations, 3D models, drawings, and BOMs before release to manufacturing.
• Make sure structural, load, fatigue, and deflection analyses (hand calculations and FEA) are done to an appropriate standard.
• Lead design reviews (concept, preliminary, critical) and DFMEA activities.
• Drive design for manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, and cost (DFM/DFA/DTC).

• Standards, Safety, and Compliance: Ensure designs comply with applicable codes and standards, such as ASME B20.1, ASME B30 series, CMAA 70/74, ANSI MH series, CEMA, OSHA 1910, ANSI/ITSDF B56, ISO 12100, and EU Machinery Regulation/CE marking where applicable.
• Oversee risk assessments, guarding design, and safety documentation.
• Maintain and improve engineering standards, design guidelines, and component libraries.

• Project and Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with sales and applications engineering on customer requirements, layouts, technical proposals, and cost estimates.
• Coordinate with controls/electrical engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality, and field service to deliver integrated systems on time and on budget.
• Manage engineering schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts for multiple projects.
• Support supplier selection and technical evaluation of purchased components (motors, gearboxes, bearings, actuators, etc.).
• Help resolve manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and field issues through root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, fishbone).

• Process and Continuous Improvement: Own engineering change management (ECR/ECN) and drawing/document control in the PDM/PLM system.
• Drive product standardization and modular design to cut lead times and engineering hours.
• Track and report engineering KPIs such as on-time drawing release, engineering hours vs. budget, design errors, and warranty claims.
• Assess new technologies and contribute to the product roadmap.

Requirements

• Qualifications Required- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• [10+] years of mechanical design experience in material handling, industrial machinery, or automation equipment.
• [3-5+] years of experience leading engineering teams, either as a direct manager or as a technical/team lead.
• Strong command of machine design principles: statics, dynamics, strength of materials, power transmission, and structural steel design.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks / Autodesk Inventor / Creo) and PDM/PLM systems.
• Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and drawing standards.
• Familiarity with relevant MHE codes and safety standards.
• Experience in an engineer-to-order (ETO) and/or configure-to-order environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting to customers and senior management.

• Preferred- Master's degree in mechanical engineering or an MBA.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience with FEA tools such as ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation, or similar.
• Exposure to warehouse automation, intralogistics, AS/RS, or AGV/AMR systems.
• Knowledge of fabrication processes (welding, sheet metal, machining) and cost drivers.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or formal project management (PMP) certification.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / NetSuite / Epicor).

Key Competencies

• Technical leadership and sound engineering judgment
• People development and coaching
• Balancing multiple project priorities
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis
• Customer focus and commercial awareness
• A safety-first mindset

Working Conditions

• Mainly office-based, with regular time on the manufacturing floor.
• Travel of about [10-20%] to customer sites, installations, and suppliers.
• Occasional work in warehouse or industrial environments that require PPE.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: [$140,000 - $155,000], plus performance bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and certification support

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Care Concierge Service
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax & Roth)
• Company paid Basic Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability & Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Milk Stork Program
• Wellness Program with gift card redemption and wellness challenges
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 10 Holidays)
• Training & Development

KPI Solutions provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by states, federal, or local law.