Mechanical Project Manager

Connect-Force; Canton Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 115,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect-Force is seeking a Senior Mechanical Project Engineer for confidential Southeast Michigan projects involving custom machinery and advanced manufacturing equipment. This hands-on leadership role requires strong design capabilities and end-to-end project ownership.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in mechanical design with CAD tools and a proven ability to translate customer needs into reliable mechanical solutions.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical design or engineering experience, ideally with custom industrial machinery.
• Experience designing mechanical assemblies and industrial equipment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Strong hands-on design capability and ownership of projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering projects from concept through design, assembly, testing, and completion.
• Remain actively involved in mechanical design, reviews, and problem-solving.
• Develop, review, and modify 3D CAD models and detailed drawings.
• Collaborate with designers, controls engineers, manufacturing, and machine builders.
• Translate customer specifications into practical mechanical solutions.
• Identify and resolve design issues related to tolerances and manufacturability.
• Support assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and startup activities.
• Coordinate engineering changes and provide technical direction across the lifecycle.
• Ensure projects meet specs, quality, and delivery schedules.

Skills

Mechanical design

Hands-on engineering

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical problem-solving

Experience with custom machinery

GD&T interpretation

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Creo

Job description

Senior Mechanical Project Engineer - Custom Machinery

Confidential Career Opportunity

Location: Southeast Michigan (Exact Location Confidential)
Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Industry: Custom Machinery | Industrial Automation | Advanced Manufacturing
Compensation: Competitive, Based on Experience

About the Opportunity

Are you a talented Mechanical Designer or Engineer who enjoys being directly involved in the design, development, and execution of complex machinery projects?

We are partnering with an established industrial equipment manufacturer seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Project Engineer who brings strong hands-on design capabilities along with the ability to lead technical projects from concept through completion.

This is not a traditional project management position. We're looking for someone who understands mechanical engineering, enjoys solving technical challenges, and can take ownership of equipment projects while remaining actively involved in the engineering process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering projects from concept through design, assembly, testing, and completion.
• Remain actively involved in mechanical design, engineering reviews, and technical problem-solving.
• Develop, review, and modify 3D CAD models, mechanical assemblies, and detailed engineering drawings.
• Collaborate with mechanical designers, controls engineers, manufacturing personnel, and machine builders.
• Translate customer specifications into practical, reliable mechanical solutions.
• Identify and resolve mechanical design issues involving functionality, tolerances, component selection, and manufacturability.
• Support equipment assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and startup activities.
• Coordinate engineering changes and provide technical direction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure projects meet technical specifications, quality expectations, and delivery schedules.
• Provide guidance and support to engineering team members when needed.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical design or engineering experience, ideally involving custom industrial machinery.
• Strong hands-on experience with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar.
• Experience designing mechanical assemblies, industrial equipment, or automated machinery.
• Ability to interpret detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Understanding of mechanical systems, component selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working directly with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently manage technical responsibilities while coordinating project activities.

Preferred Experience

• Custom machine design and special-purpose equipment.
• Industrial automation and mechanical systems integration.
• Precision manufacturing or automated assembly equipment.
• Machine assembly, equipment testing, or commissioning.
• Experience mentoring designers or leading technical engineering projects.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Stay Hands-On: Continue designing, developing, and improving machinery rather than spending your days solely managing schedules and meetings.

Take Ownership: Lead meaningful engineering projects and see your designs come to life.

Work on Advanced Equipment: Contribute to sophisticated industrial machinery and innovative manufacturing solutions.

Make an Impact: Play a direct role in equipment performance, reliability, and successful project delivery.

Advance Your Career: Grow into a technical leadership position without stepping away from engineering.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who has spent years designing and developing machinery, understands how equipment functions, and enjoys taking projects from initial concepts to working machines.

This opportunity is particularly well-suited for an experienced Senior Mechanical Designer, Lead Mechanical Engineer, Machine Design Engineer, or Mechanical Project Engineer ready for greater technical ownership.

Please Note: This is a hands-on mechanical engineering position, not a traditional program management role. Candidates should have substantial experience directly designing industrial machinery or mechanical equipment.

This search is being conducted confidentially. The employer's identity and exact worksite location will be disclosed to qualified candidates during the recruitment process.