Senior Mechanical Engineer

The Pond Guy; Armada (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare

Blue Cross Blue Shield DentalInsurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield VisionInsurance

Short-term Disability Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Holiday pay (8 holidays)

401k with employer 4% match and profit

Employee referral program

Additional Training Programs

Job summary

The Pond Guy seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own mechanical designs from concept through production, turning ideas into real products in a fast-paced environment. You will lead cross-functional teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and ready for production.

You will prototype with in-house tools, drive design reviews, and iterate with structured testing and root-cause analysis to meet performance goals.

Qualifications

• Proven experience applying mechanical engineering principles across product lifecycles.
• Experience defining performance requirements on engineering drawings.
• Solid understanding of GD&T and tolerancing.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D-modeling software.
• Experience with manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, metal forming, injection molding, welding.

Responsibilities

• Own multiple product development projects from concept to prototype, testing, and production launch.
• Serve as technical lead ensuring design execution, manufacturability, and production readiness.
• Design mechanical components and assemblies with cost targets in mind.
• Lead and facilitate design reviews to align with performance and product requirements.
• Build and iterate prototypes using in-house equipment and conduct testing per plans.
• Drive continuous improvement with structured problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Provide engineering support across intercompany operations as needed.

Skills

Mechanical design

Product development

Prototyping

SolidWorks

DFMA

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Manufacturing processes knowledge

Tools

SolidWorks

3D printing

Machining

Job description

Are you a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys designing real products, building prototypes, and seeing your work come to life? Do you like taking ownership of designs from concept through full production launch, building, testing, and improving your designs along the way? Do you thrive in a collaborative, true design-build-test environment where engineers are directly involved in building real products?

This role requires true end-to-end ownership of the product development lifecycle. If this sounds like you, we’d love to talk.

The Pond Guy / Airmax, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of pond, lake, and water garden products, including aeration systems, fountains, and water treatments. The Pond Guy sells nationwide to both end-users and a network of Airmax distributors.

Watch now to learn more about The Pond Guy: https://qrcodes.pro/sIkmTV

At The Pond Guy, this Senior Mechanical Engineer position is a product development role focused on designing, developing, and launching physical products, not just supporting designs or reviewing drawings.

In this role, you will own mechanical designs from concept through production, in a fast-paced environment where ideas quickly become prototypes and real-world products. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving practical engineering challenges and seeing their work move from design to prototype to production.

Collaboration is a key part of the role. You'll work with cross-functional teams across multiple departments to ensure designs are not only functional, but also manufacturable, cost-effective, and ready for production. You'll see your designs quickly move from CAD to real products used by customers.

Here’s what that looks like day-to-day:

• Own multiple product development projects, leading designs from concept through prototype, testing, and production launch
• Serve as technical lead for assigned projects, ensuring strong design execution, manufacturability (DFMA), and production readiness
• Design mechanical components and assemblies in SolidWorks, ensuring performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost targets are met
• Lead and facilitate design reviews, ensuring design alignment with performance, quality, and product requirements
• Build and iterate prototypes using in-house equipment, including a full machine shop and multiple 3D printing machines, performing testing and validation through structured plans and real-world evaluation
• Drive continuous improvement by solving design-related issues, using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to optimize product performance
• Provide engineering and technical support across multiple business entities and intercompany operations as needed
• Demonstrate ownership, curiosity, and persistence while benchmarking competitive products and identifying opportunities for product or process innovation

Don’t know about ponds? That’s ok! You’ll be trained to be proficient in your job. We utilize an interactive combination of hands-on and visual training to ensure everyone has a complete understanding of The Pond Guy’s proactive approach to pond management.

Job Requirements

To be successful in this role, you need to have a certain amount of knowledge and skills:

• Proven experience applying mechanical engineering principles, knowledge of materials science, manufacturing processes, and tools in product engineering
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in product design/development within an engineering discipline
• Experience creating and defining performance requirements on engineering drawings
• Solid understanding of GD&T
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and/or similar 3D-modeling software
• Inquisitive mindset with a passion for exploring new ideas and approaches
• Demonstrated ability to build strong connections by seeking input and fostering open dialogue
• Creative thinking and persistence in finding solutions to complex problems
• Experience with various manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, metal forming, injection molding, welding/joining, extrusion, etc.

Because this position involves a variety of tasks, the physical requirements for both in-office and in-the-field environments are necessary. This position requires manual dexterity for typing, sitting at a desk, and looking at a computer screen for long periods. This position also requires the ability to swim, perform repetitive motions for extended periods; demonstrate manual dexterity when working with small components; frequently bend, stoop, and stand for long durations; lift, lower, and carry packages typically weighing 25-50 lbs; and handle packages up to 150 lbs with assistance. In the field, expect adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, etc. for portions of the position that may be completed in these circumstances.

Our Senior Mechanical Engineer will require extensive use of a computer system. This position involves a high degree of interaction with engineers, technicians, managers, leads, and other departments (Purchasing, Production, Customer Service, etc.). Organization, follow-up, and communication skills are essential factors in the daily administration of this position.

We need a Senior Mechanical Engineer who has a positive attitude, and the words “can’t” and “impossible” are not a part of your vocabulary. We need someone resourceful and ready to get things done.

Availability

This is a full-time, salaried position. Candidates must be available to work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, with the occasional Saturday work as needed.

Compensation

This is a full-time salaried position with benefits. Benefits include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Insurance
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision Insurance
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday pay effective immediately (8 holidays recognized)
• 401k with employer 4% match and revenue sharing
• Employee referral program
• Additional Training Programs: Career Development and Department Shadows

Company Overview

TPG, Inc. is a growing company with over 160 employees. We are a manufacturing company for pond, lake and water garden supplies with customers in all 50 states servicing both wholesale and end-users. We have customers with large ponds used for swimming, fishing and ice skating and customers with decorative water gardens containing Koi, waterfalls, and plants. Our mission is to help the world enjoy ponds by being passionate, knowledgeable and providing innovative solutions.

TPG, Inc. is not just a team, we’re a tribe.A tribe is more like a family and is ongoing. We have fun, pursue our goals, and help each other grow. Becoming part of TPG, Inc. means more than getting a job it’s a career move. We will give you the support you need to grow with us.

Company Divisions

TPG, Inc. encompasses a family of businesses to support customers in all pond aspects.

Airmax, Inc. – business-to-business and manufacturing. airmaxeco.com

The Pond Guy, Inc. – direct-to-consumer. thepondguy.com

The Pond Guy, Inc. – local services division. weknowponds.com

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.