Sr Mechanical Engineer in Dayton, Minnesota at States Manufacturing Corporation

Position Summary

The Senior Mechanical Engineer leads the design and development of complex E House structures for switchgear and related support equipment. This role focuses on structural integrity, thermal performance, manufacturability, and cost optimization of E House designs, including consideration of environmental and seismic requirements. The position provides technical leadership across cross-functional teams and drives continuous improvement in design standards, processes, and product performance.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Execution

• Lead the design and development of E House structures and associated mechanical assemblies
• Ensure designs meet structural, thermal, environmental, and seismic requirements
• Drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) to reduce fabrication complexity and assembly time
• Serve as the technical authority for E House-related design decisions and risk mitigation

Structural Design & Validation

• Apply advanced structural design principles to E House structures, including:
• Framed structures and load-bearing systems
• Sheet metal and panelized assemblies
• Mounting, lifting, transportation, and anchoring systems
• Incorporate seismic design considerations, including load paths, anchoring, and structural reinforcement where required
• Perform or interpret analyses such as:
• Structural/deflection analysis
• Thermal performance evaluations
• Load, transport, vibration, and seismic force considerations
• Validate designs through testing and simulation to ensure performance under real-world conditions

Manufacturing Integration & Cost Optimization

• Design E House structures optimized for fabrication processes such as:
• Structural fabrication and welding
• Panel fabrication and integration
• Finishing and assembly processes
• Integrate advanced manufacturing techniques, including automated fabrication and robotics where applicable
• Lead cost reduction and value engineering efforts without compromising performance or quality
• Partner with manufacturing to improve production efficiency and reduce variability

Standards, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain E House design standards, best practices, and component libraries
• Lead Lean design initiatives and cross-site collaboration to standardize and improve design approaches
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, tools, and workflows

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Application Support

• Work closely with mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams to resolve complex design challenges
• Support application engineering and Sales with E House configurations, scope definition, and cost estimating
• Participate in quoting, design reviews, and customer-specific customization efforts
• Ensure smooth transition from design to production

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and designers
• Lead project teams and coordinate engineering efforts
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical design of E House systems, enclosure systems, or similar large fabricated structures
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and delivering designs into production
• Strong expertise in structural design of large assemblies or enclosures and welded and fabricated structures
• Experience considering environmental and seismic design requirements
• Experience in a leadership role (project or team lead)
• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, or similar)

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience with complex, configurable, or custom-engineered products
• Background in manufacturing engineering or production support
• Experience supporting application engineering or sales functions

Key Competencies

• Deep understanding of structural trade-offs (strength, cost, manufacturability, thermal performance, seismic considerations)
• Strong problem-solving and technical decision-making skills
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting design trade-offs to stakeholders
• Proven leadership and mentoring capability
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and quality

What Success Looks Like

• Robust, manufacturable E House designs delivered on time and within budget
• Designs that perform reliably under operational, environmental, and seismic conditions
• Measurable improvements in fabrication efficiency and cost reduction
• Standardized and scalable design practices
• Strong collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams
• Development of team capability and technical expertise

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