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Mechanical Engineer – Custom Automation & Capital Equipment
Koch Finishing Systems | Caledonia, MI (Grand Rapids Area) | Full-Time
Koch Finishing Systems is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team near Grand Rapids, Michigan. We engineer and build custom automated finishing systems — including automated plating and anodizing lines, material handling systems, process tanks, platforms, and piping — used for cleaning, stripping, electroplating, coating, and conversion coating across a wide range of industries. This role is ideal for a mechanical engineer who enjoys solving complex capital equipment engineering challenges, from concept and calculations through fabrication and startup on the shop floor.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $85,000–$120,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Occasional travel for customer visits, installation, and commissioning support
Key Responsibilities
- Engineer custom automated capital equipment — including plating/anodizing process lines, tanks, platforms, piping, and material handling systems — applying sound engineering principles to meet performance, safety, and quality requirements
- Perform engineering calculations and analysis (structural loads, tank/vessel design, material selection, corrosion resistance) to support design decisions
- Translate customer process requirements and specifications into functional, manufacturable equipment solutions
- Collaborate with controls engineers, project managers, and fabrication teams to deliver integrated automated systems
- Own mechanical engineering scope from concept through fabrication, installation, and commissioning, including field troubleshooting
- Produce 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar) as an output of the engineering process
- Evaluate customer requirements, budgets, and timelines to develop effective engineering solutions
- Participate in customer-facing concept and design reviews, representing the technical solution
- Support project scheduling and execution with the Project Management team
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (required)
- Minimum 5 years of engineering experience with custom automated machinery, capital equipment, or special machine design — hands-on drafting/design-only experience does not substitute for this requirement
- Demonstrated experience applying engineering fundamentals: structural/mechanical analysis, material selection, tolerance stack-up, and failure analysis
- Working knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, servo/precision motion, and sheet metal or weldment design
- Experience engineering tanks, platforms, piping, or material handling equipment a strong plus; plating or anodizing process equipment experience a plus
- Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar) as an engineering tool; PLM/PDM experience a plus
- Working knowledge of GD&T and DFM/DFA principles
- Understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, and assembly
- Strong engineering problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or within a team
Why Koch Finishing Systems
You will be part of a team that delivers highly engineered, custom automation solutions used by manufacturers worldwide, with the opportunity to see your engineering work through from concept to installation. We're guided by our core values of Integrity, Respect for People, Customer Focus, Continuous Improvement, and Community Involvement.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Including disability/veteran
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