MECHANICAL DESIGNER

Description

HYDAC is a family-owned and operated business with a vibrant and rewarding working environment for our employees across the country. Our goal is to provide quality products, components and services that meet our customer expectations while being committed to the protection and preservation of our environment. HYDAC’s passionate team designs and manufactures a comprehensive line of innovative and reliable solutions optimized for mobile, industrial, and process applications. We are looking for motivated, energetic people to join our dynamic Team! Due to growth, we are looking for Mechanical Designers, I, II, & III.

Position Summary

The Mechanical Designer is responsible for creating detailed mechanical designs, 3D models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings to support product development, production, and lifecycle activities. This role translates engineering concepts, specifications, and requirements into accurate, manufacturable designs that meet performance, quality, cost, and schedule objectives.

Working cross-functionally, the Mechanical Designer collaborates closely with Project Engineers, Application Engineers, Simulation Engineers, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, technicians, and other internal teams to ensure designs are practical, clearly documented, and aligned with applicable engineering and manufacturing standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and Documentation
• Develop 3D models, assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, and detailed component drawings for new and existing products.
• Create and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering documentation, and design records.
• Interpret engineering concepts, specifications, calculations, and design requirements and translate them into manufacturable designs.
• Review, revise, and update drawings to ensure compliance with company standards, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and manufacturing requirements.
• Manage drawing revisions and support Engineering Change Notice (ECN) activities.
• Product Development Support
• Collaborate with engineers to develop practical, reliable, and cost-effective design solutions.
• Support prototype development, testing activities, design verification, and product validation efforts.
• Participate in design reviews and recommend improvements to manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, quality, and cost.
• Incorporate feedback from engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and customers into iterative design improvements.
• Manufacturing and Supplier Support
• Work with manufacturing personnel and suppliers to optimize designs for fabrication, machining, welding, forming, assembly, and inspection processes.
• Evaluate tooling, fixturing, material, tolerance, and manufacturing constraints during the design process.
• Support production by resolving drawing discrepancies, clarifying design intent, and responding to technical questions.
• Coordinate with Purchasing and suppliers to confirm component availability, production capability, and economical manufacturing methods.
• Sustaining Engineering
• Support, evaluate, and complete product and drawing changes for existing designs.
• Assist with root-cause investigations and corrective actions related to design or documentation issues.
• Practice continuous improvement of design methods, drawing quality, CAD practices, and product documentation.
• Technical Communication and Standardization
• Prepare technical illustrations and product information for catalogs, manuals, training materials, and promotional content.
• Maintain CAD libraries, templates, design standards, and drawing best practices as assigned.
• Communicate design status, issues, risks, and required actions clearly to project stakeholders.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to design processes, product documentation, and engineering workflows.

Career Level

Mechanical Designer I

• Executes CAD modeling and drafting assignments under supervision.
• Creates and updates basic component and assembly drawings using established standards and engineer direction.
• Assists with BOM preparation, drawing revisions, and document maintenance.
• Builds foundational knowledge of GD&T, company design standards, products, and manufacturing requirements.
• Supports engineers and experienced designers with routine design and documentation tasks.

Mechanical Designer II

• Independently develops complete part, assembly, and fabrication drawing packages.
• Creates and maintains accurate BOMs and engineering documentation.
• Correctly applies GD&T with minimal review feedback.
• Incorporates manufacturing, assembly, quality, and inspection requirements into designs.
• Coordinates assigned design activities with engineers, manufacturing personnel, quality, Purchasing, and suppliers.
• Mentors' entry-level designers and supports consistent application of CAD and drawing standards.

Senior Mechanical Designer

• Develops complex systems, assemblies, and detailed design solutions.
• Applies advanced GD&T and design-for-manufacturability principles.
• Anticipates manufacturing, inspection, assembly, service, tolerance, and tooling challenges.
• Leads drawing reviews and supports design standardization and continuous improvement.
• Serves as a go-to resource for CAD standards, modeling methods, and drawing best practices.
• Mentors Mechanical Designers I and II and provides technical guidance to project teams.
• Principal Mechanical Designer
• Serves as a recognized technical authority for mechanical design methodology, CAD practices, models, assemblies, and drawings.
• Owns or governs CAD standards, libraries, templates, and design best practices.
• Leads design-methodology improvements and standardization across products and teams.
• Provides technical guidance to designers and engineers on complex design and documentation matters.
• Mentors Senior Mechanical Designers and develops technical capability within the organization.
• Supports strategic product development and sustained continuous improvement across the business.

Skills and Attributes

• Technical Skills
• Proficiency with mechanical CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or equivalent platforms.
• Strong understanding of mechanical components, assemblies, fabrication methods, and manufacturing processes.
• Working knowledge of machining, sheet metal, welding, castings, molded components, and industrial assembly methods.
• Knowledge and practical application of GD&T.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications, standards, calculations, and technical requirements.
• Ability to create designs and drawings that support reliable manufacturing and inspection.
• Problem Solving and Design Improvement
• Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify drawing, tolerance, manufacturing, and assembly risks before release.
• Ability to develop and improve design solutions based on technical and cross-functional feedback.
• Commitment to accuracy, consistency, and continuous improvement.
• Communication and Collaboration
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate design intent and technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with suppliers or external partners.
• Ability to receive, evaluate, and incorporate technical feedback professionally.
• Key Attributes for Success
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to drawing accuracy.
• Ownership mindset and accountability for assigned work.
• Technical curiosity and practical problem-solving drive.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and changing requirements.
• Collaborative approach and willingness to mentor others.
• Focus on quality, manufacturability, standardization, and continuous improvement.
• Work Environment
• Primarily office-based with frequent interaction in manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and test laboratory environments.
• Occasional interaction with customers, suppliers, and field operations may be required.
• Work may involve reviewing physical components, prototypes, tooling, fixtures, or production processes.

Education and Experience

• Associate degree in Mechanical Design, Drafting Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant experience.
• Mechanical Designer I: Entry-level; basic CAD proficiency and exposure to mechanical design, drafting, or manufacturing environments. Typically, 0 to 3 years of related experience.
• Mechanical Designer II: 5+ years of relevant mechanical design or drafting experience with a solid understanding of GD&T and manufacturability.
• Senior Mechanical Designer: 10+ years of progressive mechanical design experience with advanced knowledge of GD&T, manufacturability, company standards, and applicable products.
• Principal Mechanical Designer: 15+ years of progressive design experience with expert knowledge of GD&T, manufacturability, company standards, and applicable products, along with demonstrated technical leadership and sustained organizational impact.

Safety and Personal Protective Equipment

• Must adhere to all safety rules in force for the location you are in while performing your job responsibilities. This includes at a customer or supplier location.
• Must meet requirements for PPE in specific manufacturing areas when you are in those areas including safety shoes and safety glasses.

HYDAC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Benefits

· Pet Insurance

· Health Insurance

· 401(k) matching

· Paid Time Off

· Vision Insurance

· Dental Insurance

· Flexible Spending Accounts

· Life Insurance

· Disability Insurance

· Paid Holidays

Requirements

Training Required For This Position:

• HYDAC QUALITY MANUAL
• ISO 9001 QUALITY AWARENESS TRAINING
• LEAN OPEX BASIC TRAINING
• LV2-0003
• LV2-0004
• LV2-0006
• LV2-0019
• LV2-0022

Training Optional For This Position:

• N/A

Work Instructions Required For This Position:

• WI-0012
• WI-0015
• WI-0016
• WI-0017
• WI-0018
• WI-0024
• WI-0047
• WI-0049
• WI-0050
• WI-0133
• WI-0343
• WI-0685

Work Instructions Optional For This Position:

• N/A