Mechanical Applications Engineer – Chesterfield, VA

Mechanical Applications Engineer – Chesterfield, VA Job Type: Full-Time Location: Chesterfield, VA Schedule: 9/80 schedule — every other Friday off Travel: Approximately 10% On-Call: Emergency response support may be required outside normal business hours Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Applications Engineer to support the design, development, and improvement of heavy equipment and specialized mechanical systems. This role combines mechanical engineering, product development, project management, and customer interaction. The engineer will take projects from initial concepts through design, manufacturing, testing, field deployment, and ongoing product support. This is a hands-on position suited for someone who can work independently, communicate directly with customers and vendors, and provide technical guidance to other engineers. What You'll Do Mechanical Design & Engineering Develop new mechanical equipment and modify existing designs. Create practical solutions through CAD modeling, reverse engineering, redesign, prototyping, and field testing. Perform engineering calculations and use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to validate designs. Improve equipment performance, manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost. Maintain standard equipment designs and related engineering documentation. Prepare drawings, calculations, bills of materials, and design records. Applications & Project Management Manage engineering projects from concept through manufacturing, testing, implementation, and lifecycle support. Coordinate with customers, vendors, suppliers, manufacturing, operations, and other engineering teams. Support equipment rebuilds and refurbishment projects, including inspections, repair planning, upgrades, testing, and delivery. Help ensure equipment meets customer specifications, engineering requirements, safety standards, and applicable regulations. Manage multiple projects and changing priorities while maintaining project schedules. Field & Customer Support Work directly with customers to understand technical requirements and resolve engineering issues. Provide troubleshooting, field inspections, and on-site technical support. Assist with emergency response and field operations when needed. Travel to customer sites, vendor locations, and field projects as required. Support manufacturing and field teams during equipment testing, installation, and deployment. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. Proficiency with SolidWorks or comparable parametric CAD software . Working knowledge of FEA and the ability to verify results through engineering calculations. Understanding of mechanical design principles, manufacturing processes, and engineering documentation. Strong analytical, project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Comfortable working directly with customers and cross-functional teams. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities independently. Valid driver's license. Willingness to travel approximately 10%. Preferred Experience EIT or PE certification. CSWA or CSWP SolidWorks certification. Experience designing or supporting heavy equipment, cranes, mobile equipment, or industrial machinery . Knowledge of hydraulic and electrical systems . Experience taking products from engineering through manufacturing and field deployment. Familiarity with OSHA, ASME, AWS, AAR , or other applicable industry standards. Work Environment Combination of office, manufacturing, and field environments. Occasional climbing on equipment during inspections, testing, and troubleshooting. Ability to lift tools, components, or equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Ability to sit, stand, walk, and communicate throughout the workday. May require extended hours or emergency response outside normal working hours. Must be able to work safely around industrial equipment and active field operations.