Designs and releases custom material handling equipment from concept through manufacturing handoff. Responsibilities include creating 3D models, fabrication and assembly drawings, BOMs, hydraulic circuits and schematics, and manufacturing documentation. The engineer supports the manufacturing floor, resolves technical issues, coordinates with production, and hosts factory acceptance testing. Required qualifications include a Mechanical Engineering degree, custom manufacturing design experience, hydraulic system expertise, SolidWorks proficiency, engineering release experience, and knowledge of fabrication processes.
ALIGN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Design Engineer II
Decatur, IL | Full-Time, Exempt
LOCATION
Decatur, IL
DEPARTMENT
Engineering
REPORTS TO
Customer Program Manager
TYPE
Full-Time, Exempt
ABOUT ALIGN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Align Production Systems (APS) is an engineer-to-order capital equipment manufacturer specializing in automated guided vehicles, welding positioners, turntables, transporters, and custom material handling solutions for Fortune 500 manufacturers. Our Decatur, Illinois facility is our manufacturing hub. We run Monday through Friday, first shift only — no weekends, no holidays, no rotating schedules.
THE ROLE
The Design Engineer II owns the design and release of custom material handling equipment from concept through manufacturing handoff. This role also carries specific technical accountability for hydraulic system design and laser nesting operations, and serves as the primary on-site engineering presence for the Decatur manufacturing floor.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Design Engineering & Release
- Mechanical design on ETO projects through release to manufacturing
- Develop complete engineering packages: 3D models, fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, and BOMs
- Manage detail and drafting; own the release process for all assigned projects
- Coordinate with the Decatur manufacturing team to ensure a clean handoff
Hydraulic System Design
- Design hydraulic systems including circuit layout, component selection, and schematic development
- Select and specify valves, cylinders, pumps, manifolds, and hose assemblies
- Serve as the engineering team's hydraulics resource for new design and post-delivery field support
On-Site Manufacturing Support
- Serve as the primary on-site engineering presence for the Decatur floor in partnership with Manufacturing Engineer and Plant Leadership
- Resolve floor-level technical questions, in-process decisions, and build clarifications in real time
- Host factory acceptance testing with customer interface
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Design engineering experience in an engineer-to-order or custom manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated hydraulic system design experience: circuit design, component selection, and troubleshooting
- Proficiency in SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD platform
- Experience with engineering release processes — drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing-ready documentation
- Working knowledge of fabrication processes: laser cutting, forming, welding, and machining
Preferred
- Familiarity with AGVs, transporters, positioners, or heavy material handling equipment
- Experience with Acumatica ERP or similar manufacturing platforms
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