Search Power Manufacturing & Integration Careers

Foster Conner International is conducting a confidential search for a senior-level Mechanical Designer on behalf of a well-established Midwest manufacturer of mission-critical power distribution equipment. The company builds complex, engineered-to-order systems, including E-Houses, as well as integrated low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment for data centers, industrial, and infrastructure applications.

This role works at the intersection of mechanical and electrical engineering, touching everything from bus layouts and seismic qualifications to BOM management and factory witness tests. It is a high-impact, highly visible position within a growing engineering team.

Who thrives here: a hands-on mechanical designer who is equally at home in SolidWorks and on the shop floor. Someone who takes pride in DFM/A, can architect a complete design package from RFQ to released drawings, and brings the kind of practical judgment that comes from years of building real power equipment for demanding customers.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop top-down and bottom-up mechanical structures for integrated low-voltage and medium-voltage electrical distribution equipment, and E-Houses, from early concept through detailed design (NEMA, ANSI, IEEE, IBC, NEC)
• Collaborate with Mechanical and Electrical Engineering on bus layouts, breaker placement, cable routing, clearances, and code compliance
• Produce high-quality production drawings in SolidWorks (primary) and AutoCAD, including assembly drawings, detail drawings, weldment drawings, and BOMs/e-BOMs
• Develop and maintain full 2D and 3D project data packages, including submittal drawings, subsystems, and overall layout drawings
• Prepare technical documentation for submittals, FAT procedures, and installation manuals
• Champion Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/A), driving modularization, standardization, part reuse, and reduction of custom components
• Apply GD&T principles and tolerance stack-up analysis to complex assemblies
• Perform or coordinate FEA for structural integrity, seismic loads (ASCE 7), lifting, transportation, and operating conditions
• Support seismic qualification and Risk Category assessments for critical facilities
• Provide shop-floor support, lead root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for build and quality issues
• Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs/ECNs), redlines, and deviations in coordination with PDM and ERP systems
• Drive continuous improvement of mechanical design standards, templates, documentation practices, and release processes
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews and risk assessments

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive mechanical design and system integration experience
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on, unsupervised mechanical design experience with low-voltage switchgear and power distribution equipment
• Expert-level SolidWorks and AutoCAD proficiency, including advanced modeling, large assemblies, and complex layouts
• Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance stack analysis
• Advanced knowledge of equipment and enclosure safety and compliance standards
• Proven record of releasing complete manufacturing drawing packages (BOMs/e-BOMs, ECOs, revision control)
• Solid mechanical troubleshooting experience supporting Fabrication and Assembly teams
• Field experience on commercial and industrial sites; knowledge of safe work practices
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for supplier visits, customer meetings, and witness tests

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology
• 7–12+ years of progressive systems engineering in ETO or industrial environments
• Direct experience in power infrastructure for mission-critical facilities (data centers, healthcare, industrial, oil & gas)
• Hands-on experience with FEA tools such as SolidWorks Simulation, Ansys, or equivalent
• Familiarity with factory witness testing and certification documentation (UL, ANSI)
• Experience with PDM, MRP, and ERP systems for BOM and change management

Core Competencies

• Superior mechanical design fundamentals with a practical, shop-floor mindset
• Effective communication across engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and customer stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple engineered-to-order projects in a fast-paced environment
• Structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis with a bias toward closure
• Collaborative leadership with the ability to mentor and elevate other designers

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This is an on-site role combining office and fabrication/integration shop environments. Candidates should be comfortable regularly walking the production floor, occasionally bending, kneeling, or climbing to access equipment, and wearing appropriate PPE in production and field environments. Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.

Compensation

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience. Full benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan; paid time off; and paid holidays. Specific compensation details are provided during the interview process.