The Design Engineer is responsible for the development, integration, and support of motion control systems, with a focus that may include fluid power and/or automation technologies, depending on project and business needs. This role blends mechanical and electrical design responsibilities, supporting the full product lifecycle from concept quotation to drawing and BOM creation. The Design Engineer will collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Product Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, and Customer Experience teams to deliver innovative and reliable solutions for industrial and mobile applications that meet or exceed customer expectations. This is a full-time position, Monday – Friday and based onsite in Vandalia, Ohio.
- Translate customer requirements into engineered solutions by designing and developing fluid power and/or automation systems, including but not limited to:
- Hydraulic: hydraulics, pneumatics, lubrication, filtration, and industrial products.
- Automation: electromechanical, motion, safety, sensors, vision, and robotics products.
- Assist in the creation of technical scopes, part selections, and labor estimates used for customer quotations and proposals.
- Serve as a customer advocate by delivering responsive, application-driven design support, ensuring solutions meet technical and operational requirements while proactively accounting for lead times, manufacturability, and long-term customer success.
- Develop and maintain complete, accurate bills of material (BOMs) that align with customer requirements.
- Create and maintain CAD models, 2D/3D drawings, electrical schematics, hydraulic circuits, and system documentation.
- Support prototype builds, testing, and validation to ensure design intent is met.
- Support Manufacturing Engineers with troubleshooting and performance issues in both development and customer environments.
- Program, test, and debug control software for hydraulic and motion control applications as required.
- Ensure all designs comply with applicable safety standards, regulations, and internal quality procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of design changes, specifications, and project milestones.
- Collaborate with vendors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure component availability and manufacturability.
- Occasional onsite customer visits (1–2 times per quarter) may be required to support the Product Engineering team with sales efforts and troubleshooting as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required for the Engineer title; candidates without an Engineering degree will be considered for the Specialist title.
- 3+ years of experience in the design and development of motion control systems preferred.
- Proficient in PLC programming languages such as Ladder Logic and Structured Text.
- Experience developing electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
- Skilled in translating complex engineering systems into clear, customer-friendly communication via email, phone, and other channels.
- Familiarity with fluid power and motion control principles is a plus.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively across departments.
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.