Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

About the role

Modern Packaging is seeking a talented Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the mechanical development, redesign, and modernization of our food packaging machinery. You will play a pivotal role as the architect of the next generation of sanitary, modular, and high-performance equipment used in food production environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive the complete redesign of existing equipment to establish a standardized, modular mechanical platform optimized for food packaging operations.
• Evaluate current mechanical systems and develop redesign strategies that enhance OEE, simplify maintenance, and support efficient changeovers.
• Create next-generation architecture promoting scalability, product format flexibility, and component commonality.
• Design mechanical systems for packaging applications such as sealing, motion mechanisms, film handling, and product dosing.
• Develop 3D CAD models, detailed assemblies, and fully documented drawing packages.
• Perform engineering calculations, tolerance stack-up analyses, and material selections suitable for sanitary environments such as stainless steel and other FDA-compliant materials.
• Apply DFM/DFA principles for high-volume or customized machinery builds.
• Lead technical reviews, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to establishing engineering standards.
• Collaborate with Electrical, Controls, and Automation Engineering teams to ensure seamless machine integration.
• Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Service teams to support machine builds, testing, and field performance.
• Direct prototype builds, functional testing, and iterative design improvements.
• Validate mechanical systems for food safety, durability, throughput, sealing integrity, film handling, and motion accuracy.
• Conduct root-cause analyses for failures and implement corrective design measures.
• Support FATs, SATs, and customer acceptance testing when required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSME or BSMET), or similar engineering or technical degree from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent industry experience in mechanical design required.
• 10+ years‘ experience in mechanical design, preferably in packaging machinery, food processing equipment or industrial automation.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD tools (Inventor preferred).
• Proven experience with DFM/DFA, machine frames, pneumatics, filling, and sealing or capping systems.
• Familiarity with sanitary/hygienic design requirements and materials suited for food-contact or washdown zones, as seen in 3-A and USDA Food Equipment Standards.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical testing, prototyping, and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of materials, machining, sheet metal fabrication, and mechanical tolerances.

Qualifications

• Experience with hygienic design principles including washdown cleanability, smooth surfaces, proper material selection, and food-safe construction methods.
• Ability to create robust, manufacturable solutions tailored for washdown conditions and high-throughput packaging applications.

Skills

• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD tools (Inventor preferred).
• Proven experience with DFM/DFA, machine frames, pneumatics, filling, and sealing or capping systems.
• Familiarity with sanitary/hygienic design requirements and materials suited for food-contact or washdown zones, as seen in 3-A and USDA Food Equipment Standards.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical testing, prototyping, and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of materials, machining, sheet metal fabrication, and mechanical tolerances.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision programs.
• Life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off programs.
• A retirement savings plan with a company match.
• A wellness program.

Pay

Base Salary Range: $125,000 - $130,000

Schedule

Full-time position.