Design Engineer | East Lansing, MI

Salary Range: $69,000 - $108,000 depending on experience

Are you a seasoned professional with a passion for creating innovative product designs and solving engineering challenges? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting community growth. We are collaborating with leading companies in East Lansing seeking Design Engineers to lead and enhance their operations.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the East Lansing region seeking Design Engineers. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates—not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Key Responsibilities

• Designs and develops manufacturing fixtures, tooling, and equipment.
• Creates detailed 2D and 3D CAD models and drawings for components and assemblies.
• Conducts design reviews to ensure manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and quality.
• Collaborates with production teams to troubleshoot design-related manufacturing issues.
• Selects appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for optimal product performance.
• Performs engineering calculations and simulations to validate design concepts.
• Manages engineering change orders (ECOs) and implements design revisions.
• Develops and maintains technical documentation, including specifications and test procedures.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in product design within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD).
• Demonstrated understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining).
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to translate complex requirements into practical designs.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with rapid prototyping technologies (e.g., 3D printing, laser cutting).
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
• Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools (e.g., FEA, CFD).
• Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an Agile development environment.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Design Engineer, Product Design Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, CAD Design Engineer, Senior Design Engineer, Principal Design Engineer, R&D Design Engineer, Innovation Design Engineer, Industrial Design Engineer

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.