Design Engineer (Level II)

Barnhart is built on a strong foundation of serving others. The fruit of our labor is used to grow the company, care for our employees, and serve those in our communities and around the world. We specialize in the lifting, heavy-rigging, and heavy transport of major components used in American industry, with a nationwide reputation for solving problems and a growing network of over 55 branch locations.

About the role

A Design Engineer (Level II) supports the design and development of custom rigging equipment and structural systems tailored to project needs, ensuring safety, compliance, and effective communication among teams. This role combines engineering expertise, project coordination, and hands-on support to deliver successful final designs.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed design packages, including fabrication drawings, calculations, specification sheets, operation manuals, and test certificates.
• Perform steel design and structural analysis tasks.
• Understand and apply industry regulations and standards (AISC, ASME, OSHA) to ensure designs comply with requirements.
• Develop design parameters for engineering clarity and customer communication.
• Create 3D models and technical drawings for equipment assemblies.
• Prepare technical specifications, operating instructions, and maintenance requirements for newly designed equipment.
• Develop calculation packages that analyze relevant load cases to support equipment design.
• Create mockup and load test plans and participate in their setup and execution.
• Obtain working knowledge of existing Barnhart heavy lift and specialty rigging equipment.
• Identify materials and communicate with the fabrication shop on schedule and design optimization.
• Track project timelines and report progress to senior engineers or project managers.
• Estimate the cost of design, fabrication, and testing for various design projects.
• Provide on-site technical assistance during lifting and rigging operations to ensure lift plans are followed correctly.
• Identify and manage operational risk in line with industry regulations.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and in safe working condition; report any defects or issues.
• Work alongside field personnel such as crane operators, riggers, and fabricators to support day-to-day project operations.
• Communicate with clients and project managers to clarify requirements and relay project status updates.
• Support the procurement of necessary materials and equipment by liaising with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Record any changes to the design package, project scope, or schedule, ensuring all updates are properly documented.
• Identify minor technical issues on-site and work with senior engineers to resolve them.
• Participate in post-project reviews, gathering feedback and data for future designs.
• Continuously learn and stay updated on the latest industry practices, safety regulations, and engineering standards.
• Develop technical skills related to crane operations, rigging, and engineering design under the guidance of senior engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited 4-year university.
• 2-5 years of experience in structural or mechanical equipment design, preferably within the crane, rigging, or heavy lift/transport industry.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus; OSHA 10 certification.
• In-depth understanding of engineering principles related to structural steel design, cranes, rigging, and load calculations.
• Experience with steel construction and fabrication processes.
• Proficiency with CAD, 3D modeling software (e.g., AutoCAD, Inventor), and industry-specific tools.
• Familiarity with cranes, rigging equipment, and materials used in lifting and transporting heavy loads.
• Strong knowledge of relevant design standards and regulations, including OSHA, AISC, ASME, and ANSI.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for documentation and reporting.
• Proficiency with calculation software (e.g., RISA 3D, Ansys, Mathcad).
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to adapt to changing project requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills for reporting, documentation, and collaboration with clients and team members.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to assist in developing and updating project schedules and understanding cost estimating for design projects.
• Willingness and ability to visit job sites regularly and work in outdoor and potentially hazardous environments (standing, walking, crawling, climbing ladders/scaffolding, lifting moderate weights).
• Must pass a drug test, fit-for-duty assessment, and background check.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Bonus program based on performance.
• 401K contributions matched up to 10% of pay.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability.
• Paid Time Off.
• Barnhart CARES family care and community service opportunities.