Senior Equipment Design Engineer

Department: Preco Equipment Team (Lenexa, KS)
Reports to: Vice President of Engineering 

Position Summary

The primary function of the Senior Equipment Design Engineer role is to design the mechanical systems for Preco’s best-in-class die press, rotary press, and web converting products. Additionally, the multi-disciplinary project teams at Preco will rely on this role for deep technical and analytical skills as well as cultural leadership. This person will play a key part in continuing Preco’s legacy of excellence in American manufacturing, and a key part in building the innovative products for the next generation of industrial automation in the energy, medical,
and general web converting markets.

Job Responsibilities

As a working senior-level design engineer, your responsibilities are to:

• Design mechanical systems for standard product development and custom-engineered solutions, including significant Solidworks 3D design time, detail drawings, and documentation.
• Design hydraulic systems to include creating models, detail drawings, schematics and documentation.
• Design pneumatic systems to include creating models, detail drawings, schematics and documentation.
• Specify materials, tolerances and machining of fabricated machine parts.
• Specify purchased components.
• Create Bills of Materials (BOMs), used in the production of components and assemblies.
• Coordinate system development with Electrical and Software Engineers, and Technical Writers, as part of highly collaborative project teams.
• Interface with the Production team in manufacturing, assembly, and debugging of equipment.
• Learn from subject matter experts at Preco to become a technical go-to expert in product technology.
• Support the Sales and quoting teams as a resource for project cost history.
• Possible occasional assignment as project lead, project manager, or main point of contact for customers during equipment design and build projects.
• Contribute to team process improvement efforts.

As a cultural leader on the Preco Equipment Team, your expectations are to:

• Provide technical mentorship to other engineers of all disciplines.
• Leave customers with a positive impression of Preco after every interaction.
• Prioritize team collaboration and customer success.
• Exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit towards new tech innovation
• Exhibit discipline, communication and commitment around project timelines
• Drive a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Adhere to all safety regulations and company policies.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.

Job Requirements

• Ten (10) years Mechanical Engineering, including a strong background in machine design for converting and web-handling systems.
• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Strong CAD drafting skills, 3D modeling (SolidWorks preferred) essential.
• Proficient in drawing layouts and industry standards for dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Pneumatics, hydraulics and/or electrical experience.
• Proven background in machine design.
• Personal computer proficiency.
• Ability to work as part of a design team. Interested in working on custom or "one-off" systems.
• Knowledge of Solid Works, AutoCAD, and PC-based software for word processing, spreadsheets, design, and manufacturing preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated technical or process experience in several of the following areas:

• Materials handling components (e.g., robotics, actuators, dial tables, feeder bowls, pick-and-place mechanisms).
• Automated material processing systems, such as welding or cutting systems, that process individual metallic parts.
• Automated web and/or sheet converting systems for materials such as paper, plastic, fabric, and composite films.
• Process knowledge relating to processing metallic, composite, or non-metallic materials.
• Industrial controls and/or software experience that use personal computers (PC) or programmable logic controllers (PLC).
• Tooling and fixture design for locating individual parts.
• Use of AutoCAD or other 2D drafting software would be beneficial

Physical Demands

• Repetitive back, wrist, arm, shoulder, elbow, and finger movements occur continuously.
• Extended hours of sitting and viewing a computer screen.
• Extended hours of phone and e-mail communication with suppliers.

All Preco, LLC employees are empowered to stop production and notify their supervisor/manager if an unsafe act or product quality concern is occurring.  Also, each member of the Preco – Somerset team is responsible for identifying continuous improvement opportunities and participating in problem-solving teams as necessary