SolidWorks Engineer

Location: Holland, MI Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire Salary: $55,000 - $65,000 per year Start Date: Immediate

Company Overview

Join a dynamic, growth-oriented custom metal fabrication shop with approximately 23-24 employees, specializing in innovative material handling solutions such as packaging, carts, dollies, racks, and custom flat beds in stainless steel. Founded in 1979, we pride ourselves on efficient manufacturing processes, including advanced CNC fiber laser cutting for precise flat and tube material shaping, press brake operations for heavy-gauge metals, and on-site application engineering to deliver tailored proposals and prototypes. As a family-oriented, faith-based organization, we foster a collaborative, values-driven environment where employees feel appreciated through team-building events, flexible scheduling, and opportunities to contribute to exciting projects in a fast-paced custom shop setting. We're expanding our design capabilities to support new ventures in aluminum and stainless steel fabrication, making this a key role for driving innovation and departmental leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Create detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies using SolidWorks, with a focus on weldments, flat sheet metal fabrication, and complex welded joints to support custom designs from concept to production.
Collaborate closely with customers, sales teams, and shop floor personnel through on-site visits, iterative feedback loops, and proposal development to ensure designs meet exact specifications and deadlines.
Perform quoting, estimating, and material takeoffs for projects, balancing design accuracy with lead time and cost efficiency.
Lead and mentor the design department (a 3-person team), overseeing workflows, cross-training on product lines, and fostering a problem-solving culture to handle multitasking across diverse fabrication needs.
Conduct regular shop floor interactions to validate designs against manufacturing realities, including laser cutting, press brake forming, MIG/TIG welding (steel, stainless steel, and emerging aluminum applications), and assembly processes.
Utilize SolidWorks libraries, advanced features, and best practices for repeatable, high-precision outputs in a high-volume custom environment (from single prototypes to thousands of units).
Organize and prioritize tasks in a deadline-driven setting, adapting to evolving customer requirements and internal production pauses.

Required Qualifications

Minimum 2+ years of hands-on experience in 3D CAD design specifically with SolidWorks (3D modeling expertise required; 2D experience not necessary).
Proficiency in weldments, sheet metal design, drawing creation, and library management within SolidWorks.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage with external clients and internal stakeholders in a collaborative, customer-facing role.
Excellent problem-solving mindset, organizational skills, and adaptability in a multi-tasking, fast-paced custom fabrication shop.
Positive, team-player attitude – personality and cultural fit are paramount in our close-knit environment.
Ability to work on-site in a shop/office hybrid setting, with occasional remote access for laptops during non-core hours.
Legal authorization to work in the US; no sponsorship available.

Preferred Qualifications

Leadership experience or desire to grow into a department head role, including mentoring junior designers and process improvements.
Familiarity with custom metal fabrication processes, including MIG welding for steel, TIG for stainless, and basic aluminum handling.
Background in material handling or industrial design industries, with exposure to reverse engineering or on-site assessments.
Comfort with extended hours (up to 60/week during peaks) balanced by flexible start times and family-friendly perks.

What We Offer

Competitive Compensation: $55,000 - $65,000 base salary, commensurate with experience.
Comprehensive Benefits: 401(k) matching, full health insurance coverage, generous paid time off, and holiday observances.
Work-Life Balance: Standard hours Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM; summer Fridays end at 2:30 PM for long weekends. Manufacturing floor shifts are Monday-Thursday 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM with a paid hour lunch (Fridays office-only). Freedom to adjust start/end times as needed.
Team Culture: Family-oriented and faith-based values, with regular perks like Detroit Lions tailgate parties, Friday group outings (e.g., to local spots like Buffalo Wild Wings), and a commitment to employee well-being – we work hard but celebrate together.
Growth Opportunities: Join a stable, revenue-generating team ($3-5M annual gross) in expansion mode; contribute to new product lines and shine in a role with high visibility to leadership.
Additional Perks: Clean, modern workstations (4 ready-to-go setups, potential minor upgrades); potential for remote laptop access during off-hours or special circumstances.

This is a pivotal, difference-making position in our design team – we're seeking enthusiastic engineers ready to lead, innovate, and thrive in a supportive, hands-on environment. If you have a portfolio of SolidWorks designs (especially drawings or examples of weldments/sheet metal), we'd love to review them.

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