Vehicle Architect Mechanical Engineer

Who we are:

The most complete lifting company in the world, Lanco represents four iconic, world-class heavy equipment manufacturers, mobile crane dealerships across US and Canada, the largest parts and service network in North America, and factory-authorized technician training. In this role, you will support Mi-Jack Products, Inc. Established in 1954, Mi-Jack Products is recognized as an industry leader and innovator in Travelift and Translift Rubber Tired Gantry crane manufacturing, sales, service, and support. Mi-Jack is also the industry leader in providing maintenance services, inspections, repairs and parts for the railroad, port and industrial equipment end-users.  By designing and engineering maintainable solutions that can integrate into daily operations without missing a beat, we provide our customers with reliable, safe, and efficient solutions. From the engineering department to the manufacturing floor, we are committed to providing a superior product and an unsurpassed customer experience. 

https://www.thelancogroup.com/our_services/material-handling/

https://www.mi-jack.com

Position Overview:

In this role, you will lead full-machine development, integrating subsystems, managing designs, and collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure technical excellence. You will indirectly lead and coordinate development activities across the organization. Your focus will be on full-machine development using 3D CAD (Inventor), issuing drawings, conducting design reviews, and coordinating development activities across the engineering team.

Essential Functions:

• Manages machine master model and bill-of-material creation, modification, and maintenance.
• Collaborates with sub-system teams to integrate component and sub-system designs into vehicle master model including tolerance stack analysis.
• Manages allocation of machine system space-claim to sub-system design teams.
• Responsible for creation of machine option variants and design releases of different variations of machines to meet customer needs.
• Owns overall machine performance to specification, including option level, dimensional, kinematic and dynamic / ballast analysis.
• Reviews and ensures integrity of engineering change release content to design standards.
• Manages structural layout & packaging of machine systems on chassis through 3D modeling & layout using Autodesk Inventor.
• Works with Autodesk Vault and Epicor ERP for Product Life Cycle Management.
• Conducts CAD modeling and vehicle Integration studies for component, and system feasibility.
• Owns machine level competitive industry specifications and benchmarking data.
• Creates and reviews team engineering drawings for accurate application of engineering and drafting standards.
• Responsible for releasing entire vehicle to production including, chassis frame, engine installation, driveline installation, steering systems, electrical installation, and hydraulic installation.
• Responsible to conduct overall machine cross-function design reviews.
• Responsible and train production team on machine assembly for design content, modifications, and intended production work-flow.
• Owns machine variant management, feature and option set, overall machine weight, cost, and maintainability.
• Leads manufacturing reviews to support physical prototype builds, pilot unit builds, and production launch.
• Package protects for optional features, and future scope requirements during new product development.
• Designs in 3D, components and sub-assemblies as needed to support development projects. Creates 2D drawings with dimensions and tolerances.
• Manages technical reviews with component, system, and technology suppliers. Manages design review and prototype build JIRA tickets, making assignments and driving resolution of issues.
• Works in codesign with component, system, and technology suppliers.
• Liaise with our manufacturing team to support and optimize the manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Responsible for whole vehicle drawings, and schematics for use by tech pubs, homologation, customer product acceptance, and quoting processes.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance in all safety, health, and environmental regulations, policies, and procedures for a goal of zero incidents and injuries
• Communicate consistently on all activities to appropriate individuals (both internal and external)
• Maintain ongoing communication and adhere to all Companywide policies to eliminate and/or reduce exposure to liability
• Special projects or work as assigned

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What we are looking for:

• Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to drive results and hold others accountable.
• Self-motivated with strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with the engineering team and external partners.   
• Solid technical knowledge of machine design, operations, and general industry practices.
• Proficiency in managing multiple priorities, setting clear objectives, and using common computer applications (Excel, Word, etc.).
• Detailed oriented and able to manage multiple development projects under tight deadlines with a focus on safety and quality.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 5 years of work experience in vehicle design, with a particular focus on mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic systems in the heavy equipment or material handling industry.
• 5 years work experience with cross-functional team collaboration.
• Experience working in a mixed platform environment with Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks.
• Qualified candidates, excluding current Lanco employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. Lanco does not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status).

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree with emphasis in mechanical, industrial, structural, automotive and/or electrical disciplines.
• 10 years of work experience in vehicle design, with a particular focus on mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic systems in the heavy equipment or material handling industry.

Work Environment:

• This is primarily a sedentary office classification and employees work in an office with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances
• Minimal travel required- up to 10% domestic and international travel requirements.
• Location: Hazel Crest, IL (Relocation assistance may be available)
• Potential for flexible work available upon successful and satisfactory completion of required training period.

Physical Demands:

The position occasionally bends, stoops, reaches, pushes and pulls drawers to retrieve and file information and lifts and carries reports, records, and other materials that typically weigh less than 30 pounds

Compensation/Benefits:

We foster a collaborative team environment that values innovation and encourages creative solutions to drive positive organizational impact. Our employees are the key to our success and help us stand out from our competitors. The base pay range for this role is $80,000 to $100,000. The final compensation offer may vary based on factors such as experience, education, skills, and location. We offer competitive pay, paid time off, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Lanco is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment-related decisions, including but not limited to hiring, compensation, promotion, discipline (including termination), evaluation, training, and development opportunities, etc., are made without discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, military status, protected disability, citizenship, genetic information or any other category protected by applicable law.

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000