Design Engineer

Job Description

Design Engineer – Custom Engineered Equipment

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Location: Gurnee, IL

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Schedule: 1st Shift | On-Site

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Salary: $70,000–$80,000/year

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Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire | 9 months

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Degree: Not Required

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Design Custom Equipment From Concept to Production

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Aegis Worldwide is partnered with a fourth-generation, family-owned manufacturer with more than 100 years of industry experience that specializes in highly customized industrial equipment and engineered-to-order products.

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This is a unique opportunity for a Mechanical Design Engineer who wants to be close to the product and the people building it . Rather than designing one small component within a massive engineering organization, you'll work directly with experienced engineers, fabricators, and manufacturing personnel to turn customer requirements into equipment that is actually built in the shop.

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The company has built a strong reputation for quality and engineering expertise over generations, while maintaining a laid-back, down-to-earth culture with an open-door environment .

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What You'll Do

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• Design and modify custom mechanical equipment, tanks, components, and large assemblies using SolidWorks .
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• Create detailed fabrication drawings, weldment prints, BOMs, dimensions, tolerances, and manufacturing documentation.
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• Work directly with the shop floor to answer drawing questions and troubleshoot fit, fabrication, and manufacturing issues.
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• Design equipment around real-world manufacturing and fabrication processes.
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• Manage engineering changes and maintain accurate BOM, routing, ERP, and PDM information.
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• Work with multiple custom projects and engineering changes simultaneously.
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• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing to establish priorities and meet project deadlines.
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• Develop knowledge of ASME pressure-vessel requirements and other applicable design standards as you grow in the role.
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• Help improve designs to make them easier and more efficient for the shop to manufacture.
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What We're Looking For

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Required:

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• 2+ years of mechanical design or drafting experience involving machinery, fabricated equipment, or manufactured products.
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• Strong SolidWorks experience, including parts, assemblies, and detailed manufacturing/fabrication drawings.
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• Experience designing weldments or fabricated metal components.
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• Understanding of how mechanical components are actually fabricated, welded, and assembled.
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• Working knowledge of GD&T, dimensions, tolerances, and tolerance stack-ups .
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• Comfortable working directly with engineers and manufacturing personnel to troubleshoot design issues.
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• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple custom projects and design changes.
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• Independent thinker who enjoys working in a close-knit team.
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Preferred:

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• Experience with custom or engineered-to-order machinery, tanks, pressure vessels, or process equipment.
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• Experience with large SolidWorks assemblies, PDM, BOMs, or ERP systems.
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• Knowledge of ASME pressure-vessel requirements or Codeware.
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• OEM or machine-building experience.
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• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design, Drafting, or a related technical field.
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Experience is more important than a degree for this position.

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Why This Opportunity?

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• 100+ years of history and a strong reputation within the industry.
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• Join a fourth-generation, family-owned company where employees are treated like part of the family.
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• Work on fully custom, engineered-to-order equipment rather than repetitive product designs.
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• Make a significant impact in a smaller engineering organization where your work is highly visible.
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• Work directly with the manufacturing team and see your designs go from SolidWorks to the shop floor to a finished product .
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• Open-door culture with minimal corporate red tape.
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• Close collaboration with experienced engineers and skilled tradespeople.
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• Opportunity to develop deeper expertise in pressure vessels, fabrication, custom equipment, and mechanical design.
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• Strong platform for someone who wants to become a key engineering resource rather than just another designer in a large department.
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Benefits

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• Full benefits upon conversion
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• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
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• 401(k) with 5% company match
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• 9 paid holidays
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• Annual holiday bonus of up to $1,000+
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Schedule & Compensation

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1st Shift | On-Site

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Salary: $70,000–$80,000

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Candidates with exceptional experience may be considered up to approximately $85,000 .

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Employment: 9-month contract-to-hire

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Start Date: ASAP

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Interview Process

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1. Video interview with the Engineering Manager.
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2. On-site interview with Engineering and company leadership.
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If you're a mechanical designer who enjoys custom equipment, hands-on engineering, and working directly with the people who build what you design , this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a company with an unusually long and successful history.