Mechanical Designer

About the role

This Mechanical Designer role focuses on plant and equipment layout and in-house mechanical design for capital expansion projects and renovations of existing industrial facilities. You will design and coordinate life safety systems, HVAC, plumbing, piping, gas, and fire sprinkler systems using Plant 3D and AutoCAD. The position offers exposure to diverse projects—including pet food, chemical, food and beverage, agricultural, mineral processing, power, grain processing, oilseeds, and manufacturing facilities—while working closely with experienced engineers and designers in a collaborative, small-office environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed plant layouts and equipment layouts for industrial facilities using Plant 3D and AutoCAD.
• Perform in-house mechanical design for capital expansion projects and renovations of existing facilities, including life safety, HVAC systems, plumbing, piping, gas, and fire sprinkler systems.
• Design process piping systems, including routing, supports, and integration with equipment and existing plant infrastructure.
• Select appropriate equipment for process and mechanical systems, ensuring compatibility with project requirements and industry standards.
• Prepare material lists, bills of materials, and related documentation to support procurement and construction activities.
• Develop and review contract documents, including drawings and technical specifications, for industrial projects.
• Produce preliminary design documents such as conceptual designs, technical specifications, and site plans for industrial projects.
• Review and check drawings for accuracy, constructability, and compliance with project requirements and applicable codes.
• Execute plant layout design in Plant 3D, ensuring efficient use of space, maintainability, and safe operation of systems.
• Develop detailed design documents specific to mechanical and MEP systems to be used in construction packages.
• Incorporate dust collection and conveyor systems into plant layouts and mechanical designs, particularly for industrial and food-related facilities.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, customers, contractors, fabricators, and vendors to maintain strong working relationships and ensure project success.
• Organize and prioritize work assignments independently, coordinating multiple tasks and deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Participate in process improvement and systems design efforts to enhance plant performance and efficiency.
• Utilize Navisworks and other design tools to coordinate models, identify clashes, and improve design quality.
• Work directly with clients on site to gather field information, understand project needs, and support design implementation.
• Conduct or support 3D laser scanning of new customer sites to capture existing conditions for use in plant and mechanical design.
• Engage in continuous training, professional development, and knowledge sharing through internal and external programs, seminars, and learning sessions.
• Contribute to a small office environment by taking on multiple roles as needed and supporting team members across projects.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment, preferably with exposure to food and beverage facilities.
• Proven ability to execute plant layout design in Plant 3D.
• Hands-on experience with AutoCAD 2D and Plant 3D for industrial and mechanical design.
• Experience in MEP design, including dust collection and conveyor system design.
• Experience in mechanical design, mechanical engineering, or industrial engineering for industrial projects.
• Experience in plant layout design, equipment layout, and systems design for industrial facilities.
• Ability to develop detailed design documents specific to mechanical and MEP systems for construction packages.
• Experience designing life safety systems, HVAC systems, plumbing, piping, gas, and fire sprinkler systems.
• Familiarity with process piping design, including layout, routing, and integration with process equipment.
• Strong skills in material handling and dust collection system design.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office for documentation, reporting, and coordination tasks.
• Ability to independently organize and prioritize work assignments and coordinate multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail in developing drawings, specifications, and design documents.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, contractors, fabricators, vendors, and internal team members.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00 per hour. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short- and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)

Schedule

This is a Contract to Hire position based in Omaha, NE, and is fully onsite.