Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Location: Graniteville, South Carolina



Work Arrangement: Onsite



Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time Position Summary

Bridgestone Americas is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide mechanical engineering expertise and lead capital equipment projects at its Graniteville manufacturing facility.

This hands-on role is responsible for projects ranging from $50,000 to $5 million, including new machine installations, equipment upgrades, continuous improvement initiatives, and corrective actions. The engineer will lead projects through design, fabrication, Factory Acceptance Testing, installation, commissioning, start-up, and ongoing operation.

Approximately 80% of the role is performed on the production floor, with the remaining time divided between desk work and meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the mechanical engineering subject-matter expert for one or more areas of the manufacturing plant.
• Manage capital projects ranging from $50,000 to $5 million.
• Lead new machine installations, equipment upgrades, continuous improvement projects, and corrective-action initiatives.
• Manage projects through all phases, including:
  • Requirements analysis
  • Mechanical design
  • Fabrication
  • Installation
  • Factory Acceptance Testing
  • Machine start-up
  • Commissioning
  • Ongoing production support
• Analyze project requirements and resolve mechanical design and engineering challenges.
• Ensure projects are delivered accurately, on schedule, within budget, and according to established quality standards.
• Create and manage engineering drawings using AutoCAD Mechanical, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Vault.
• Develop and finalize equipment designs that meet project scope, production, and safety requirements.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials and spare-parts requirements.
• Conduct equipment and project risk assessments.
• Develop and implement appropriate safety countermeasures.
• Work closely with equipment vendors, fabricators, and other external partners.
• Select, coordinate, and manage external contractors during equipment installation and commissioning.
• Oversee the work of internal and external project resources.
• Monitor the performance of existing equipment, systems, processes, and technologies.
• Recommend and implement modifications that improve equipment quality, reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Provide technical support to plant operations, maintenance teams, and other internal customers.
• Ensure all projects and engineering activities comply with applicable safety objectives, legal requirements, and plant standards.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Mechanical engineering experience within a heavy industrial or high-volume manufacturing plant.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects valued up to $5 million.
• Hands-on experience with industrial machinery, production equipment, and machine installations.
• Advanced experience with Autodesk Inventor for 3D modeling and mechanical design.
• Experience using Autodesk Vault for engineering drawing and design-data management.
• Experience with AutoCAD Mechanical.
• Experience developing and managing engineering drawings and Bills of Materials.
• Experience leading machine Factory Acceptance Testing, start-up, and commissioning.
• Ability to manage projects through design, fabrication, installation, testing, and operational handoff.
• Experience performing equipment risk assessments and implementing safety countermeasures.
• Experience managing vendors and external installation contractors.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, budgeting, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and provide technical leadership across multiple plant functions.
• Authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Work Environment

• Approximately 80% of working time is spent on the production floor.
• Approximately 10% is spent performing computer and desk-based work.
• Approximately 10% is spent in meetings.
• The production environment includes high temperatures, elevated noise levels, moving equipment, and heavy machinery.
• Hearing protection and other required personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas.