Senior Mechanical Applications Engineer - Crane Systems

Socket.dev; Chesterfield Court House (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Chesterfield, VA is seeking an experienced Mechanical Applications Engineer to support the design, development, and improvement of heavy equipment and specialized mechanical systems. This hands-on role covers concept through field deployment, requiring independent work and strong supplier/customer collaboration.

The engineer will lead projects, mentor teammates, and ensure safety and quality while meeting deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong experience in mechanical design and engineering.
• Experience with SolidWorks or comparable parametric CAD software.
• Working knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and validation via engineering calculations.
• Experience managing engineering projects or coordinating technical projects.
• Strong customer-facing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate across departments.
• Commitment to safety and quality.
• Valid driver's license.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10% for inspections and field activities.

Responsibilities

• Design and modify crane systems, heavy equipment, and specialized mechanical components.
• Develop practical mechanical solutions for new products and existing equipment.
• Reverse engineer and redesign components when needed.
• Create and review CAD models, drawings, BOMs, calculations, and engineering documentation.
• Use FEA, engineering calculations, prototyping, and field testing to validate designs.
• Improve equipment performance, manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost.
• Maintain and update standard equipment designs while meeting applicable standards and safety regulations.
• Manage engineering projects from concept through manufacturing, testing, implementation, and lifecycle support.
• Lead crane rebuild and refurbishment projects, including inspections, repair planning, upgrades, testing, and final delivery.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, operations, vendors, suppliers, and other engineering teams to keep projects moving.
• Provide technical support during production, troubleshooting, field inspections, testing, and emergencies.
• Help ensure equipment meets customer specifications, engineering requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Manage multiple projects and changing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Communicate directly with customers and vendors regarding technical requirements and project needs.
• Provide engineering guidance and support to internal teams.
• Work closely with manufacturing and field personnel to resolve technical issues.
• Mentor and provide technical direction to less-experienced engineers.
• Support quality, product standardization, and continuous improvement efforts.

Skills

Mechanical design

Engineering

SolidWorks

FEA

Customer-facing

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Project coordination

Independent work

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Socket.dev in Chesterfield, VA is seeking an experienced Mechanical Applications Engineer to support the design, development, and improvement of heavy equipment and specialized mechanical systems. This hands-on role covers concept through field deployment, requiring independent work and strong supplier/customer collaboration.

The engineer will lead projects, mentor teammates, and ensure safety and quality while meeting deadlines.