Sr Mechanical Design Engineer

Yamas Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Yamas Group in Chicago is seeking a Senior Mechanical Designer to lead as the principal designer on a small team. You will work closely with the VP of Engineering, acting as their right-hand partner with a clear path to leadership as the team grows.

You will redesign established products, set design standards, build and test prototypes, and collaborate across Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales to ensure designs are easy to fabricate and serviceable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years designing products in manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on NPD experience from concept to production.
• Advanced SolidWorks skills with sheet metal and weldments.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product and continuous improvement projects from concept through prototype, validation and launch.
• Create production-ready models, drawings and BOMs in SolidWorks, focusing on sheet metal and weldments.
• Build and test prototypes and document performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality and Sales to design for ease of build and service.

Skills

Mechanical design

Prototype development

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD software

Job description

| Commercial Foodservice Equipment | Chicago Area | 100% Onsite

If you've taken a product from first sketch through pilot and into full production, and you want a real say in what gets built next, this one is worth a look.

The Role

An established manufacturer of commercial foodservice equipment is strengthening its engineering team under a new VP of Engineering. You'll be the senior designer on a small team and the VP's right-hand partner. You start as an individual contributor with a clear path to engineering leadership as the team grows.

Why It's Worth Your Time

You’ll lead the redesign of several established products and help set the standards the team designs to, so you get to define the next generation of equipment. You’ll build and test your own prototypes. Leadership gives clear direction and then trusts you to run with it. You also get the stability of a global parent company with the feel of a focused business unit.

What You'll Actually Do

• Lead new product and continuous improvement projects from concept through prototype, validation and launch
• Create production-ready models, drawings and BOMs in SolidWorks, heavy on sheet metal and weldments
• Build and test prototypes, then document performance and reliability
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality and Sales on designs that are easy to build and service
• Help shape drawing standards and modular design practices

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and 5+ years designing products in manufacturing
• Hands‑on stage-gate NPD experience: concept, prototype, pilot and full production
• Advanced SolidWorks, especially sheet metal parts and assemblies
• A self-starter who thinks problems through and brings ideas to the table

Heat transfer, UL/NSF testing or foodservice experience is a plus. Local candidates preferred.