Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Priority Designs; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance & disability

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Flexible PTO

ESOP ownership

Office dogs

Job summary

Priority Designs in Columbus, OH seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead high-level design, development, and testing of innovative mechanical products. You will oversee fabrication, installation, and repair of prototypes and mentor engineers across cross-functional teams.

The role requires mastery of CAD/CAE tools, project management, and strong collaboration with clients and internal teams; travel to client sites may be required as projects vary in complexity.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in CAD software or other engineering analysis tools.
• Ability to travel to client sites as required for project work.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-level design and development of new mechanical engineering initiatives.
• Oversee fabrication, installation, testing, and repair of mechanical prototypes.
• Mentor engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Manage project budgets, scopes, and timelines.
• Develop and maintain CAD assemblies and GD&T quality.

Skills

CAD proficiency

CAE tools mastery

Project leadership

Mentorship

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PDM systems

FEA/CAE tools

CAD software

Job description

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will demonstrate advanced proficiency in applying engineering and manufacturing principles to design innovative products, lead product testing, and oversee fabrication, installation, and repair of mechanical prototypes. Recognized for deep technical expertise, you will lead high-level design and development of new mechanical engineering initiatives, ensuring project milestones are met within approved budgets. With mastery in CAD and CAE tools, you will collaborate daily with diverse teams, lead business development efforts, manage projects of varying complexity, and provide mentorship to colleagues, embodying the PD Ethos and driving initiatives with other departments to identify new projects and collaboration opportunities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Advanced Skills:
• Demonstrates advanced proficiency in applying engineering and manufacturing principles to design innovative products, leading product testing, creating complex models and prototypes, and overseeing fabrication, operation, application, installation, troubleshooting, and repair of mechanical products.
• Develops large, intricate CAD assemblies and contributes to the development of project budgets, scopes, and timelines.
• Initiates and drives new mechanical engineering initiatives, providing oversight, direction, and leadership for projects.
• Acts as a point person and ambassador for the department, embodying the ethos of the organization.
• Project Complexity:Recognized for deep technical expertise, industry knowledge, and innovative thinking. Leads high-level design and development of new mechanical engineering initiatives, ensuring project milestones and goals are met within approved budgets.
• CAD:Masters CAD and its tools at an advanced level, including PDM systems, proficient in generating complex 2D drawings, applying complex GD&T, and managing intricate assemblies effectively.
• CAE:Demonstrates advanced mastery of CAE tools, autonomously solving complex problems with precision and efficiency.
• Collaboration: Engaging daily with diverse teams on large cross‑functional projects, while offering innovative solutions and enhancing project outcomes through regular collaboration.
• Business Development:Leads business development efforts, acquiring new projects/clients and fostering long‑term client relationships.
• Project Management: Manages a range of projects, from small to large complex cross‑functional endeavors, while overseeing budgets, schedules, and billing. Leads challenging conversations with clients on various project aspects with professionalism and tact.
• Oversight:Capable of working autonomously and providing leadership through specialization knowledge. Leads and oversees a team of engineers, driving initiatives with other departments to identify new products and projects. Develops functional strategies, specific objectives, budgets, policies, and procedures to enhance engineering capabilities.
• Mentorship:Actively mentors, providing sought‑after guidance and support. Goes above and beyond to offer mentorship and assistance to colleagues experiencing project or work‑related challenges.
• Degree in Mechanical engineering (or related field) or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in relevant software tools such as CAD software or other engineering analysis tools.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, including office settings and prototyping lab facilities.
• Ability to travel to client sites or other locations as required for project work.

More About Priority Designs

Founded in 1990 by Paul and Lois Kolada, Priority Designs was built on a simple belief: that great products come from lasting relationships, with clients, and with each other. Over more than three decades, we've grown into a full-service consultancy spanning consumer, industrial, and healthcare product development. In 2017, rather than handing the company off to outside investors, Paul and Lois did something rare, they sold it to the people who helped build it. As an employee‑owned company, we're each personally invested in doing our best work, for one another and for the clients we serve. That commitment lives at the heart of our Ethos.

Our Ethos is built on 3 key elements

• Trust and Care: The best, most meaningful work comes from people who feel trusted, empowered, and passionate about what they do. We cultivate an environment to support this through authentic connections and mutual respect.
• Ideas, not Egos: We believe the best way to build our reputation is by helping others build theirs. That’s why we choose service over self, listening to our clients, end‑users, and community, and making sure their needs are truly met.
• Embrace the Challenge: As creative problem solvers, we love a good challenge. Whether the solution needs to be practical or groundbreaking, we adapt our approach to fit our clients’ goals, tackling each problem with collaboration and ingenuity.

Here’s what else you can expect

• Flat structured company meaning more great work, less politics and micromanagement
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays
• Flexible PTO
• Employee ownership through our ESOP program
• Office dogs, beekeeping lessons, forklift food trucks, Bob Ross painting parties, fall road trips and more

If this sounds like the kind of place you want to do your best work, we'd love to meet you.