Career Center

Mechanical Designer/Machine Designer

Ken-Bar Tool & Engineering, Inc.

Posted on 04/30/2023

Location

Muncie, Indiana

Description

The Company:

We, at Ken-Bar Tool & Engineering, Inc., are an innovative provider of diverse manufacturing solutions. Our employees design and build tooling and equipment that help our customers maximize their production efficiency and quality. With a broad product portfolio that includes assembly equipment and test equipment for the automotive, appliance, industrial goods, medical device and other industries, there is a lot of variety in the work we perform, creating a stimulating work environment. Our automation and robotics solutions pose challenges that require creativity and skill from our workforce, but provide the satisfaction of advancing the state of manufacturing.

Job Summary:

The Mechanical Designer is responsible for creating and updating cost-effective machine and tooling designs utilizing a CAD system, following customer and internal specifications. As part of that role, he/she performs calculations as needed and works with other members of the organization, including electrical/controls engineering, to assure robust and safe designs with built-in error-proofing. The Mechanical Designer works efficiently to complete designs in a timely manner and prepares material for cross-functional design reviews internal to the organization and with the customer. The designer also answers design questions for the manufacturing team and leads or participates in run-off activities to verify and demonstrate the proper function of his/her designs prior to shipment to the customer.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

Translate customer specifications and requirements into robust equipment, fixture and tooling designs
Generate design concepts, 3-D CAD models, detail drawings, BOMs, build instructions, datasheets, operating instructions and spare parts lists
Perform engineering calculations (sizing, etc.) and tolerance studies as needed
Select materials and components to meet the design objectives
Ensure the designs adhere to industry and customer standards and the latest technology
Collaborate with other department members and with other company departments
Work with the Purchasing Department to assure timely and cost-effective acquisition of material and components needed to implement the designs
Establish and follow project timing
Create cost-efficient designs that meet budget targets
Follow company processes and procedures and assist in improving them
Prepare design review materials and lead design reviews
Lead customer meetings as needed and document with meeting notes
Validate equipment designs during and after build completion
Document lessons learned
Travel: <10%
Other duties as assigned

Minimum Skills & Abilities

Skills & Qualifications – Required:

2-year college degree or equivalent work experience
Minimum 3-5 years of relevant design experience
High proficiency in SolidWorks
Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
Good understanding to standard manufacturing concepts
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong team player
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Experience with production and assembly processes
Proven track record of designing production equipment
Solid understanding of test equipment
Ability to analyze and interpret technical information with good attention to detail
Strong working knowledge of various mathematical and statistical concepts
Solid understanding of common industry safety standards and safety concepts and requirements
Solid understanding of ergonomics concepts and requirements
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally

Skills & Qualifications – Preferred:

Proficient in the use of problem-solving tools, such as Six Sigma
AutoCAD proficiency
Lean manufacturing background
Experience with leak testing
Experience with gage/gauge design
Experience with die design
Experience with welding processes
Experience designing automation equipment and robot cells, including material handling and machine-tending