Senior Mechanical Engineer

Zen Sherpa LLC; White Bear Lake (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary and performance bonuses

PTO and holidays

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision and life-insur

Job summary

Zen Sherpa LLC in Minnesota is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design, optimization, and validation of advanced mobile mechanical systems for heavy industry and oil & gas applications.

The role rewards hands-on problem solving, mechanical creativity, and delivering field‑ready equipment that performs reliably under high loads and harsh environments. This position is 100% on‑site at our Little Canada facility in Minneapolis–St Paul.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's a plus).
• 5+ years of mechanical design experience in heavy mobile equipment, off-highway machinery, or related industries (construction, forestry, agriculture, mining, or energy).
• Proficiency in Inventor, Pro-E/Creo, or SolidWorks for complex assemblies and large-scale mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of hydraulic systems, power units, drivetrains, structural weldments, and mobile mechanical assemblies.
• Demonstrated ability to take designs from concept through prototype, testing, and production release.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and technical reporting skills for design reviews, engineering change processes, and cross‑team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Engineer and develop heavy mobile mechanical systems including hydraulics, frames, lifting mechanisms, and powertrain components.
• Improve reliability and efficiency of platforms in harsh construction, forestry, agricultural, and energy environments.
• Create 3D models and manufacturing drawings using Inventor, Pro/E/Creo, or SolidWorks.
• Support onsite prototype fabrication, testing, and iterative refinement.
• Troubleshoot field issues and implement corrective actions to reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, electrical/hydraulic engineers, and field teams.

Skills

Heavy machinery design

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Inventor

Pro-E/Creo

SolidWorks

Job description

A leading engineering design organization based in Little Canada, MN, we specialize in the development of industrial systems, heavy mobile equipment, and advanced mechanical technologies for demanding field environments. Our work centers on designing and engineering robust, high‑performance mobile machinery used across the construction, forestry, agricultural, and energy sectors.

We engineer equipment and mechanical systems that must perform reliably under extreme loads, harsh climates, and continuous duty cycles. Our engineering teams combine deep mechanical design expertise, hands‑on prototyping, and rigorous validation to solve complex structural, hydraulic, drivetrain, and motion‑control challenges. If you excel at designing large‑scale mobile platforms, off‑highway machinery, or field‑deployed mechanical systems, you will thrive here.

This role requires daily onsite collaboration at our Little Canada, MN facility to support prototype builds, design reviews, equipment tear‑downs, and cross‑functional engineering activities.

Role Overview

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the design, optimization, and validation of advanced mobile mechanical systems used in demanding industrial and oil & gas applications. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on problem‑solving, mechanical creativity, and building equipment that performs reliably in high‑pressure, high‑load, and high‑cycle environments.

This position is 100% on‑site at our Minneapolis-St. Paul facility. No remote or hybrid work is available.

Key Responsibilities

• Mobile Equipment Design — Engineer and develop heavy mobile mechanical systems including hydraulic circuits, structural frames, lifting mechanisms, power‑train components, and off‑highway machine assemblies
• System Performance Optimization — Improve reliability, durability, and efficiency of mobile platforms operating in harsh construction, forestry, agricultural, and energy‑sector environments
• CAD Modeling & Drafting — Produce detailed 3D models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using Inventor (preferred), Pro‑E/Creo, or SolidWorks
• Prototype Build & Validation — Support onsite prototype fabrication, testing, and iterative refinement; validate designs against structural, hydraulic, and functional performance requirements
• Field Issue Troubleshooting — Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, and structural issues on mobile equipment; implement corrective actions to reduce downtime and improve field reliability
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration — Work closely with customer's manufacturing, fabrication, electrical/hydraulic engineering, and field‑service teams to deliver robust, field‑ready equipment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's a plus)
• 5+ years of mechanical design experience in heavy mobile equipment, off‑highway machinery, or related industries (construction, forestry, agriculture, mining, or energy)
• Proficiency in Inventor, Pro‑E/Creo, or SolidWorks for complex assemblies and large‑scale mechanical systems
• Strong understanding of hydraulic systems, power units, drivetrains, structural weldments, and mobile mechanical assemblies
• Demonstrated ability to take designs from concept through prototype, testing, and production release
• Excellent communication, documentation, and technical reporting skills for design reviews, engineering change processes, and cross‑team collaboration

Work Environment

• 100% On‑Site at our Little Canada, MN engineering and prototyping facility—daily presence required
• Hands‑on collaboration with mechanical engineers, hydraulic specialists, fabricators, machinists, and field technicians
• Direct involvement in prototype builds, equipment tear‑downs, design reviews, and onsite testing
• Occasional travel (:10%) to customer sites, field‑testing locations, and fabrication partners

Benefits

We value our team's well-being and offer a robust benefits package to support your professional and personal growth:

• Competitive Compensation: An attractive Base Salary and Performance bonuses, commensurate with experience
• Personal Time Off (PTO): Paid holidays, PTO, and flexible time off to recharge and maintain work‑life balance
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match to secure your future
• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Disability Protection: Short‑term and long‑term disability plans for peace of mind