Valves Design Engineer: Waterworks CAD & Prototyping

McWane Pipe & Industrial; Vanderbilt (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McWane Plant & Industrial (MPI) is seeking a Design Engineer – Valves for Waterworks in Birmingham, AL. The role focuses on hands-on valve design from sketches to shop floor, collaborating with manufacturing and sales to deliver optimized solutions.

The ideal candidate has a mechanical engineering background, 0–2 years of experience, and familiarity with CAD tools (SolidWorks/AutoCAD) and basic FEA/flow analysis. Training on waterworks standards is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 0–2 years of professional experience; internships, co-ops, or capstone projects welcomed.
• Proficiency in CAD tools, GD&T, and basic FEA/flow simulation.
• Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and a hands-on engineering mindset.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and coordinate various projects.
• Excellent communication for cross-team collaboration.
• Familiarity with waterworks standards (e.g., AWWA) is a bonus; training available for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop valves and components using CAD software, including fluid dynamics, materials selection, and industry standards.
• Perform calculations, simulations (e.g., flow coefficients/Cv), and analyses to ensure performance, durability, and compliance.
• Collaborate daily with manufacturing teams for design-for-manufacturability reviews and rapid prototyping.
• Partner with Sales to understand customer needs, propose optimal solutions, and support custom configurations.
• Participate in testing, validation, and continuous improvement of products on the production floor.
• Document designs, create technical drawings, and contribute to project timelines.

Skills

CAD proficiency

GD&T

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

FEA basics

Job description

McWane Plant & Industrial (MPI) is seeking a Design Engineer – Valves for Waterworks in Birmingham, AL. The role focuses on hands-on valve design from sketches to shop floor, collaborating with manufacturing and sales to deliver optimized solutions.

The ideal candidate has a mechanical engineering background, 0–2 years of experience, and familiarity with CAD tools (SolidWorks/AutoCAD) and basic FEA/flow analysis. Training on waterworks standards is available.