Mechanical Design Engineer – Heavy Equipment & Refuse Vehicles
Location: Kingsford, MI (100% On-site)
Company: Lodal
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Category: Mechanical Engineering / Heavy Equipment Manufacturing
Salary Range: $100,000 – $140,000 annually (Commensurate with experience)
About Lodal
Lodal is a premier designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty refuse collection vehicles and vocational trucks for municipal and commercial waste operations across North America. Known for durability, safety, and high-performance daily operation, our industrial equipment is engineered to withstand the toughest environments.
We are seeking a hands-on Mechanical Design Engineer to join our team in Kingsford, MI. In this role, you will directly support the design, manufacturing, and continuous improvement of refuse truck systems and industrial machinery.
Position Summary
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end design and development of refuse truck bodies, mobile hydraulic systems, automated lifting mechanisms, and structural steel components. This role bridges the gap between mechanical engineering and industrial production, working closely with manufacturing, welding, assembly, and service teams to support shop-floor production and real-world field performance.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in heavy equipment design, mobile hydraulics, vocational trucks, or industrial machinery fabrication.
Key Responsibilities
- CAD Modeling & Mechanical Design: Design complex refuse truck components, heavy-duty weldments, and large assemblies using SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
- Mobile Hydraulics Engineering: Develop, specify, and route high-pressure hydraulic systems, fluid power components, packers, and automated lift arms.
- Manufacturing & Production Support: Create accurate fabrication drawings, welding blueprints, and detailed Bills of Materials (BOM) to support the shop floor.
- Continuous Improvement: Troubleshoot equipment field failures, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement corrective engineering design improvements.
- Structural Analysis (FEA): Perform structural and fatigue analysis (Finite Element Analysis) on truck bodies and high-stress lifting systems to ensure durability.
- Vendor & Supply Chain Collaboration: Coordinate with component suppliers and vendors to source and specify heavy equipment parts.
- Compliance & Safety: Ensure all vocational vehicle designs comply with industry safety standards and DOT regulations.
- Prototyping & Testing: Assist shop teams with prototype builds, mechanical testing, and product validation.
Job Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Experience: 3+ years of experience in heavy equipment manufacturing, vocational truck design, agricultural machinery, or industrial equipment fabrication.
- CAD Proficiency: Advanced, hands-on proficiency in 3D modeling software (SolidWorks preferred).
- Fluid Power: Strong technical knowledge of mobile hydraulic systems, fluid power design, and schematic reading.
- Metal Fabrication: Deep understanding of structural steel fabrication, industrial welding processes, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Direct design experience with refuse trucks, dump bodies, cranes, trailers, or similar vocational vehicles.
- Experience utilizing FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for structural optimization.
- Familiarity with CAN bus systems, vehicle multiplexing, or mobile electrical systems.
- Experience working directly in a hands-on manufacturing or assembly shop environment.
Key Skills & Core Competencies
- Mechanical Design & 3D Modeling (SolidWorks)
- Mobile Hydraulics & Fluid Power Design
- Cross-Functional Communication (Engineering to Shop Floor)
- Root Cause Analysis & Engineering Problem Solving
- Project Coordination & BOM Management
- Structural Steel & Weldment Design
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Split Environment: A dynamic mix of a professional engineering office setting and an active manufacturing floor.
- Shop Floor Exposure: Regular exposure to industrial welding, steel fabrication, and heavy machinery environments.
- Travel: Occasional travel to customer sites or trade conferences.
Benefits & Compensation
We offer a competitive compensation package tailored to experience, alongside comprehensive benefits including:
- Competitive Base Salary: $100,000 – $140,000
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Hands-On Engineering Environment with Real Product Ownership
