Design Engineer

Job Title: Design Engineer Job Description
The Design Engineer develops, optimizes, and validates mechanical designs for large and heavy machinery using advanced CAD tools and sound engineering principles. This role focuses on creating robust, manufacturable solutions in a fast-growing fabrication environment, collaborating closely with a team of engineers to improve machine performance, reliability, and serviceability.
Responsibilities

• Understand and apply engineering principles to analyze data and develop CAD models that optimize design opportunities for large and heavy machinery.
• Invent, design, document, build, and test new mechanical solutions for assigned industries using CAD tools such as SolidWorks and related systems.
• Use SolidWorks, PDMWorks, ECN tools, and other design software to produce detailed models and prototype parts that support fabrication and production.
• Test and validate design changes to improve machine performance, reliability, durability, and serviceability, using appropriate engineering methodologies.
• Collaborate in a team environment with other design engineers to meet shared goals, project milestones, and performance metrics.
• Apply knowledge of fabrication processes, including steel and sheet metal design and welding, to ensure designs are practical and manufacturable.
• Incorporate considerations such as material strength, fatigue strength, hydraulics, electronics, engine systems, and statistics into design decisions.
• Create robust designs that identify potential issues early in the design process and leverage design commonality where possible.
• Operate basic mechanical tools and equipment, including wrenches, assembly hand tools, drill press, lathe, band saw, and assembly power tools, to support prototyping and testing.
• Manage time and resources effectively to meet internal customer needs, production schedules, and project deadlines.
• Respond promptly to production questions and issues, providing practical engineering solutions to support ongoing operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of designs, changes, and test results in accordance with internal standards and ECN processes.

Essential Skills

• Four-year college degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent education and experience.
• Approximately 3 years of relevant mechanical design or engineering experience.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and mechanical design.
• Experience with large or heavy machinery design and related mechanical systems.
• Hands-on experience with fabrication, particularly steel and sheet metal design and welding.
• Knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA), hydraulics, electronics, engine systems, statistics, strength of materials, durability, and product serviceability.
• Ability to create robust, manufacturable designs and identify design changes early in the development process.
• Ability to understand material strengths, fatigue behavior, and manufacturability to select appropriate configurations and materials.
• Capability to operate basic mechanical tools, including wrenches, assembly hand tools, drill press, lathe, band saw, and assembly power tools.
• Strong time and resource management skills to meet internal customer needs and production schedules.
• Ability to respond quickly to production questions and issues with practical, well-reasoned engineering solutions.
• Comfort working with PDMWorks, ECN tools, and other design-related systems for documentation and change management.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a team of design engineers in a fabrication or heavy machinery environment.
• Familiarity with design for durability and ease of service in demanding operating conditions.
• Ability to recognize and apply design commonality across products to improve efficiency and reduce complexity.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret engineering data and test results.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and internal customers.
• Adaptability to work in a fast-growing organization with expanding facilities and new projects.
• Attention to detail in CAD modeling, documentation, and prototype development.

Work Environment
The role is based within a collaborative team of design engineers in a rapidly growing fabrication and heavy machinery setting. The facility has recently expanded its square footage to support new projects and increased production, creating opportunities for professional growth and involvement in a variety of design challenges. Work is primarily performed using CAD and engineering tools, including SolidWorks, PDMWorks, and ECN systems, with regular interaction with fabrication processes and prototype development. The environment combines office-based design work with hands-on activities in the shop, where basic mechanical tools and equipment such as drill presses, lathes, band saws, and assembly tools are used to build and test prototypes. The culture emphasizes teamwork, meeting shared goals and metrics, and responding quickly to production needs, offering a dynamic setting for engineers who enjoy both design and practical problem-solving.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Piedmont, SC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $80000.00/yr.
Selling points for Vermeer are the work environment and benefits. The engineering team was coming in from a team lunch which they do every Friday. They also have Hawaiian shirt Fridays - just to give an example of the vibes. The facility is very nice and relatively new - having recently expanded. There is a nice mix of senior engineers and more entry / junior level. The role itself is 50% office and 50% hands-on. They want engineers who are wanting to oversee their projects from design, to prototype testing, to pilot launch, to commercial launch. They will be performing the design work and turning wrenches depending on the day and stage of the project. PTO - day 1 they receive a "welcome to the company" package for 40hours of PTO; for a year they will accrue 100 hours or 2.5 weeks of PTO total; PTO does not expire and you can roll over as much as you do not use. HOL - 13 paid holidays They pay their entry-level engineers $70k. Opportunity for a relo or signing bonus (probably $2-3K).
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Piedmont,SC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


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