Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design EngineerPeoria, IllinoisSenior Mechanical Design EngineerApplication Engineering | Peoria, IL (In-Person) | Full-Time | Relocation Assistance ProvidedCompensation: $95,000 – $145,000Every project is different. Every customer has a problem nobody has solved quite this way before. If that excites you more than running the same product through the same process, keep reading.Rheo Engineering designs and manufactures advanced powder handling equipment and integrated systems for the pharmaceutical industry. Our equipment is used in the direct manufacture of life-saving medicine around the world. We design and build everything on-site, from highly engineered containment systems to fully automated material handling lines. You'll see your designs go from a model on your screen to a finished system on our shop floor.We run two engineering teams: New Product Development builds and maintains Rheo's standard product lines, while Application Engineering — the team this role sits on — works directly with our project management team and customers to turn unique requirements into custom-engineered solutions, often under tight deadlines and real constraints. If you thrive on variety and solving problems, this is the team for you.We're looking for a Senior Design Engineer who wants to own the technical quality of that work in a technical leadership role. You will have the opportunity to shape the Design framework and trajectory of our Application Engineering team and be a critical part of developing and mentoring Design Engineers. You'll be looked up to and relied on throughout the team for the influence and expertise you bring.What You'll DoLead the technical execution of custom equipment projects — CAD modeling in Autodesk Inventor, design reviews, engineering calculations, and FEAOwn the quality of engineering deliverables across your projects, including drawings, customer submittals, and documentationManage the engineering change process: triage ECRs, review and close out ECOs, and maintain basis of design documentationMentor Design Engineers through hands-on guidance, model reviews, and constructive feedback that builds real capabilityCollaborate across functions — fabrication, assembly, controls, manufacturing engineering, and purchasing — to keep designs producible and projects on trackServe as a primary technical contact for customers: lead design reviews, prepare approval submittals, and communicate directly on technical mattersSource and qualify vendors, review vendor drawings, and conduct technical evaluationsSupport Factory Acceptance Tests (internal and external), system integration, quality activities, and commissioningGenerate engineering standards, design calculators, and administer the CAD environmentWhat We're Looking ForSignificant professional experience in mechanical design engineering with demonstrated ownership of complex assembly design work from concept through releaseProficiency in Autodesk Inventor or equivalent 3D CADProficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)Experience with FEA software toolsProven track record of producing and reviewing engineering drawings, models, and calculations to a high standard of qualityExperience leading design reviews and managing engineering change processes (ECR/ECO)Track record of mentoring other engineers and elevating team capabilityDirect experience interfacing with customers on technical mattersBachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related disciplinePreferred QualificationsPE license or active progress toward licensureExperience in pharmaceutical, food processing, or other regulated manufacturing environmentsFamiliarity with powder handling or process equipment designKnowledge of GMP, cleanability (CIP/WIP), process containment, or OEL/OEB requirementsFamiliarity with project management practices and toolsWorking knowledge of ASME codes, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and fabrication processesWhy RheoPrivately owned and operated for 30 years and countingExcellent benefits – see section belowSmaller team (~100 team members) with a strong, in-person work cultureQuickly growing in a stable, regulated industry where precision engineering mattersUnique, impactful work – direct influence over the safe, reliable, and efficient production of medicine throughout the worldVertically integrated – see what you design be built in the same buildingBenefitsLeading medical insurance — consistently low rates compared to other businesses in the areaHealth Savings Account with employer contributions (plan-dependent)Dental, vision, and life insuranceShort-term and long-term disabilityIdentity theft insurance401(k) with 4% employer matchGenerous PTOPaid paternity and maternity leavePaid cell phone plan with stipend for a new phone every 2 yearsEmployee referral programWorking ConditionsOffice-based with regular time on the manufacturing floor and at vendor and client sites. Travel up to approximately 10% of the time. Standard 8-hour workday; occasional overtime as needed.Rheo Engineering is an equal opportunity employer.