Junior Mechanical Engineer

Position: Junior Mechanical Engineer

Location: Merrillville, Indiana (open to relo)

Schedule: M-F 8am start date (on average 45 hour work weeks)

Pay Rate: $38 - $57 / hr. with opportunity for OT

Duration: 12-month contract to hire

Start Date: ASAP

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 1-3 years of experience within a heavy industrial or mechanical design environment
• SolidWorks experience requires (academic or professional)

Plus:

• FE or EIT
• Piping design experience

Job Description:

We are seeking a Junior Mechanical Engineer based in or willing to work out of Merrillville, Indiana, to support projects in industrial and manufacturing environments. This is an excellent opportunity for early-career engineers to gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced engineers, project managers, and field personnel. In this role, you will assist with creating and updating mechanical designs using SolidWorks and AutoCAD, while learning how industrial systems are designed, installed, and maintained. You will help develop drawings, equipment layouts, specifications, and project documentation, as well as participate in site visits to observe projects in the field. The position offers valuable exposure to real-world engineering projects, mentorship from senior team members, and opportunities to build technical and project management skills. The ideal candidate is eager to learn, detail-oriented, safety-focused, and excited to grow their engineering career in a collaborative team environment.

Day to Day:

• Design and update mechanical equipment layouts, 3D models, and engineering drawings using SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, clients, and field teams to support ongoing industrial and steel mill projects.
• Prepare and revise technical specifications, contract documents, and fabrication drawings for project execution.
• Review vendor submittals, equipment installations, and design documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
• Conduct site visits to industrial facilities to gather field information, support construction activities, and assist with system coordination.
• Manage multiple project tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining a strong focus on safety and quality.

Potential Projects this team would work on:

Manufacturing & Steel Mill Projects

• Design and upgrade process lines that convert raw materials into finished steel products.
• Improve equipment reliability, uptime, and production efficiency within steel mills.
• Support molten steel, hot-rolled steel, and other metals processing operations.
• Evaluate vibration loads, equipment performance, and plant operational challenges in heavy industrial environments.

Industrial Piping Projects

• Design heavy industrial piping systems for manufacturing facilities.
• Develop piping layouts, specifications, and installation packages.
• Support piping projects within steel, paper, and oil & gas facilities.
• Review piping designs to ensure safety, operability, and maintenance accessibility.

Equipment Design & Installation

• Design custom industrial equipment and mechanical systems using SolidWorks.
• Develop material handling systems and equipment layouts.
• Lead equipment replacement, relocation, and expansion projects.
• Oversee field installation, rigging, alignment, commissioning, and startup activities.