Design Engineer | Grand Rapids, MI

Salary Range: $71,000 - $110,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated 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 career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in Grand Rapids, seeking experienced Design Engineers to strengthen their teams.

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 partner with manufacturers across Grand Rapids seeking Design Engineers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Designs and develops new products and product improvements.
• Creates detailed engineering drawings and specifications using CAD software.
• Collaborates with manufacturing teams to ensure design for manufacturability and assembly.
• Conducts design reviews and implements feedback to optimize designs.
• Performs stress analysis and simulations to validate product performance and reliability.
• Investigates and resolves design-related production issues and non-conformances.
• Selects appropriate materials and components based on performance, cost, and availability.

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).
• Strong 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.

Bonus Qualifications

• Proficiency in CAD software beyond basic modeling, such as SolidWorks PDM or advanced surfacing techniques.
• Experience with simulation and analysis tools (e.g., FEA, CFD) to validate designs and predict performance.
• Familiarity with various manufacturing processes and materials beyond core expertise, enabling innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to intellectual property, such as patents or trade secrets.
• Experience with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Design Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, Product Design Engineer, CAD Engineer, R&D Design Engineer, Senior Design Engineer, Engineering Designer, Design and Development Engineer, Mechanical Engineer (Design Focus), 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.