Entry-Level Mechanical Design Engineer

About the Role

New Star Lighting is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Entry-Level Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Sustaining Engineering team. This role offers an opportunity to build practical engineering skills while learning about product design, improvement, and manufacturing.

Position Overview

This position focuses on maintaining and improving existing lighting products through mechanical design updates, engineering change requests (ECRs), and accurate Bill of Materials (BOM) creation. You will utilize SolidWorks for design modifications, update engineering documentation, and help ensure customer orders can be manufactured accurately and on schedule. Collaboration with assembly, metal fabrication, purchasing, marketing, and sales departments is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Sustaining Engineering: Update and improve existing product designs using SolidWorks, including modifying 3D models, assemblies, and engineering drawings.
• Engineering Change Requests (ECRs): Process engineering changes by updating designs, drawings, Bills of Materials, and related documentation.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) Management: Create and maintain accurate BOMs for customer orders to communicate required components and materials to manufacturing.
• Production Support: Assist assembly and metal fabrication teams with product questions, technical documentation, and design-related issues.
• Purchasing Support: Help identify required materials, verify component information, and evaluate potential material substitutions.
• Cross-Functional Support: Provide accurate product information to marketing, sales, quoting, and other internal departments.
• Engineering Documentation: Maintain organized and accurate product records, drawings, and other technical documentation.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in projects that improve product quality, manufacturability, cost, and engineering processes.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Mechanical drawings, assemblies, and basic manufacturing concepts.
• SolidWorks PDM, ERP systems, or Microsoft Excel (preferred, but not required).
• Sheet metal design or fabrication experience (preferred, but not required).
• Familiarity with Bills of Materials, engineering change processes, or manufacturing documentation (preferred, but not required).

Qualifications

• Associate degree, bachelor's degree, technical diploma, or relevant experience in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design, Drafting, or a related field.
• Basic experience with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Familiarity with mechanical drawings, assemblies, and basic manufacturing concepts.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Good communication skills and a willingness to collaborate with different departments.
• A positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and openness to feedback.

Additional Information

• Previous lighting industry experience is not required.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
• Candidates should live within 50 miles of Chicago and have reliable transportation.