Mechanical Engineer

About Pierce Manufacturing

At Pierce Manufacturing, we build trucks that protect people and communities. Since 1913, we have evolved to creating highly customized, carefully designed, and engineered pumpers, aerials, tankers, and rescue units. Today, over 30,000 Pierce apparatuses are on the road making a difference in people's lives.

About the Role

The Mechanical Engineer plays a key role in designing and developing the innovative, high-performance components that bring Pierce custom fire trucks to life. From initial concept through production, this role drives engineering analysis, new product development, and design improvements to deliver reliable, cost-effective solutions that meet demanding performance, safety, and quality standards. Working closely with manufacturing and cross-functional teams, the engineer helps solve real-world production challenges and continuously improve the vehicles relied upon by first responders and communities nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform engineering calculations, investigations, and assigned tasks in accordance with Oshkosh and applicable industry engineering standards and processes.
• Support senior engineers in the preparation of basic plans, designs, computation methods, and reports.
• Collaborate with internal engineering and business support disciplines, as well as external suppliers, to address technical challenges and support project execution.
• Maintain effective communication with suppliers, internal and external customers, and engineering resources regarding technical issues, production concerns, and design requirements.
• Ensure the proper application of engineering criteria, drawing standards, company policies, and established procedures.
• Evaluate designs for performance, safety, reliability, and overall effectiveness.
• Prepare and coordinate the development of layouts, drawings, specifications, and bills of material.
• Perform engineering analysis to support the selection of parts, components, and materials that meet project requirements.
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations by investigating production issues, performing root-cause analysis of Custom Fire Truck chassis and cab designs, and recommending or implementing containment actions to minimize production downtime.
• Serve as a key technical liaison between manufacturing operations and design engineering, communicating shop-floor feedback, identifying recurring production issues, and conveying opportunities for design improvements and continuous improvement.
• Track, document, and escalate recurring production and design issues to the appropriate engineering teams to support long-term corrective actions and prevent repeat occurrences.
• Prepare technical proposals, quotations, reports, and presentations.
• Utilize analytical and mathematical methods to calculate or model system performance, evaluate design solutions, and optimize product performance.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Accredited Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Internship experience or six (6) or more months of related work experience.
• Mechanical knowledge and experience with chassis integration/upfitting, heavy-duty truck chassis, cab, driveline, brake system, and/or relevant automotive experience.
• Experience with chassis integration/upfitting and high-level CAD systems.
• Knowledge of NFPA standards and FMVSS regulations.

Working Conditions

• This role combines office-based administrative duties with physical activity in field or production environments.
• In the office setting, tasks may require extended computer use, sitting, and attending meetings.
• Field or floor work may involve walking across various terrains or shop floors, standing, moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), climbing stairs, and exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.
• Must be able to shift focus between detailed cognitive work and occasional physical tasks as needed.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Compensation

• Pay Range: $64,500.00 - $103,500.00 per year.
• Individual pay is determined by factors including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions.