Lead Machine Design Engineer / Engineering Project Lead

Job Description

Job Description

A custom machine builder in the Holland, MI area is looking for a senior-level Lead Machine Design Engineer / Engineering Project Lead to support the Engineering Manager and help guide the mechanical engineering team.

This is a unique role for an experienced special machine design engineer who may not want to do detailed design work all day anymore, but still enjoys custom automation, technical problem-solving, project direction, and mentoring other designers.

This person will help oversee the project workload of approximately 8 Machine Design Engineers. They will assist with project priorities, design reviews, technical guidance, schedule awareness, communication, and overall engineering project flow. This is not a full Engineering Manager role. The person will not be responsible for hiring, firing, or annual reviews, but they will help relieve part of the Engineering Manager’s day-to-day responsibilities.

Ideal background includes custom machine design, special machine design, automation equipment, tooling, fixtures, conveyors, mechanical systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, and 3D CAD experience such as SolidWorks or Inventor.

Responsibilities include:

• Help direct mechanical engineering projects through the design process. 
• Provide technical guidance to Machine Design Engineers. 
• Review machine designs for function, manufacturability, cost, and project requirements. 
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Controls Engineers, Machine Builders, Purchasing, and Manufacturing. 
• Support project kickoff meetings, design reviews, customer discussions, build, debug, runoff, and installation. 
• Mentor less experienced designers and help improve consistency within the engineering team. 
• Assist the Engineering Manager with engineering priorities, project flow, and process improvement. 

Qualifications include:

• Senior-level custom machine design or special machine design experience. 
• Strong understanding of automated equipment, mechanical systems, tooling, fixtures, conveyors, and machine build requirements. 
• Experience with SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar 3D CAD software. 
• Ability to guide and review machine designs without needing to be the primary designer on every project. 
• Strong communication, organization, project coordination, and leadership skills. 
• Background with an OEM machine builder, custom automation company, or systems integrator is strongly preferred. 

This is a good opportunity for a senior machine designer who wants to step into a higher-level technical leadership role while staying close to custom machine design and automation projects.