About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Manufacturing — industrial automation & custom machinery.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

---

Responsibilities

A Confidential Client is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and improve mechanical automated systems and custom machines from concept through production launch. This role supports company objectives for quality, safety, and innovation.

• Design and develop mechanical components, assemblies, and systems using CAD software (primarily SolidWorks; some Inventor).
• Produce detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Support new product development from concept to production launch, meeting performance and reliability goals.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to resolve technical issues and improve designs for manufacturability.
• Perform engineering calculations, tolerance analyses, and design validation activities.
• Manage engineering projects: plan timelines, track budgets, and deliver against objectives.
• Ensure mechanical designs comply with applicable standards, customer requirements, and safety regulations.
• Provide technical guidance to production personnel during build, testing, and equipment implementation.
• Perform or support testing, failure analysis, and FEA to improve product performance and reliability.
• Design custom machines and automated equipment for applications such as food packaging and automotive.
• Use ERP and PLM systems to manage product data and documentation throughout the development lifecycle.
• Work independently on assigned projects while participating in cross-functional teams as needed.

---

Essential Skills

• Mechanical design experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks; familiarity with Inventor is a plus.
• Experience designing custom machines and industrial equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience with ERP and PLM systems.
• Experience performing engineering calculations and validating mechanical performance.
• Experience with FEA and failure analysis.
• Comfortable working independently in a hands-on, collaborative small-team environment.

---

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field preferred.
• Background in new product development from concept through production launch.
• Experience designing equipment for food packaging, automotive, or similar industries is beneficial.
• Practical experience with conceptual and machine design for automated equipment.

---

Work Environment

This role is based at a smaller, well-maintained manufacturing facility focused on automated equipment across diverse industries. The engineering team is small and collaborative, providing autonomy on individual projects alongside opportunities for cross-functional teamwork. Expect direct, hands-on communication with production leadership and a practical, adaptable culture.

---

Job Type & Location

• Contract to hire — onsite in Otsego, IN (Confidential Client).

---

Pay and Benefits

• Hourly pay range: $36.05 - $45.67 / hour. Actual compensation depends on qualifications, experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors.
• If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include:
  • Medical, dental & vision
  • Critical illness, accident, and hospital plans
  • 401(k) retirement plan (pre-tax and Roth options)
  • Voluntary life & AD&D insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Transportation benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Time off (PTO, vacation, sick leave)
• Benefits, eligibility, and plan details are subject to change and employer policies.

---

Workplace Type

• Fully onsite in Otsego, IN.

---

Application Deadline

• This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 2026.

---

Equal Employment & Accessibility

Careertakes and the Confidential Client welcome applicants of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; please request accommodations through the recruiting contact provided by Careertakes.

---

Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.