Project Engineer

ABOUT PECO Process Engineering & Equipment Company (PECO) represents the industry’s top manufacturers of high-quality fluid handling, filtration, and heat transfer products, and is the premier supplier of mechanical equipment in West Michigan — with a longstanding reputation for professionalism, technical competence, and stability. Operating from our Grand Rapids, Michigan facility with a team of approximately 42 employees, PECO is experiencing growth in every area of the business. We are strengthening our engineering team with the addition of a Project Engineer who can bring strong technical skills, ownership, and a willingness to assist others. POSITION SUMMARY The Project Engineer designs and customizes thermal and fluid systems — sizing, selecting, and engineering pumps, heat transfer, filtration, and mechanical equipment to fit each customer’s application. Working in 2D and 3D CAD (SolidWorks and AutoCAD) and applying strong thermodynamics and mechanical engineering fundamentals, this individual carries projects from concept through delivery: developing selections and drawings, choosing materials and equipment, ordering components, coordinating with vendors, and working directly with customers and the sales team. This is a hands-on, individual-contributor engineering role that supports the engineering team under the Engineering Manager — ideal for a self-starter who wants ownership of technical design work in a fast-moving, growing company. DESIGN & ENGINEERING Design and customize thermal and fluid systems — pumps, heat transfer, filtration, and mechanical equipment — sized and configured to each customer’s application and operating conditions. Produce 2D and 3D models, layouts, and fabrication drawings in SolidWorks and AutoCAD. Apply thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and mechanical fundamentals to size and select equipment, validate designs, and solve application challenges. Perform equipment and material selection appropriate to the application, operating conditions, budget, and manufacturability. Develop custom and engineered-to-order solutions for non-standard applications. Create accurate BOMs, specifications, and submittal packages that are complete and actionable for procurement and fabrication. Prepare thermal/heat-transfer estimates and load calculations during the pre-order phase — including Btu/Hr energy transfer, flow-stream temperature requirements, tank sizing, and flow rate sizing — repeating the analysis as project scope evolves. Draw preliminary P&IDs as a quoting roadmap on larger, more complex projects, then update or create P&IDs as needed once a project is ordered and scope changes. Program loop controllers once the electrical panel is delivered (not required on every job), and document the controller programs in the job folder. PROJECT MANAGEMENT & PROCUREMENT Track and manage projects from concept through design, procurement, fabrication, and delivery; keep scope, schedule, and status current across multiple concurrent jobs. Order materials and components and coordinate with vendors on availability, lead times, and pricing. Escalate design or supply issues early to keep projects on schedule and on budget. Request quotes for electrical panels on larger, more complex projects, and review electrical schematics as they’re generated by the electrical vendor (e.g., Reed City), coordinating updates as changes are requested. Obtain material quotes — steel, rolled tanks, and similar — from vendors such as Ryerson, ALRO, and Sandmeyer Steel. Photograph projects during the build for the job folder, and coordinate shipping questions with logistics as needed. CUSTOMER, SALES & VENDOR COLLABORATION Work directly with customers to understand requirements, answer technical questions, and refine application details. Support the sales team with technical selections, sizing, drawings, and submittals to help win and execute jobs. Coordinate with vendors and manufacturers on product options, custom configurations, and technical specifications. Partner with the shop and fabrication team to ensure designs are buildable and to resolve issues before and during production. Meet with customers and the sales team early in new projects — through discussion or on-site visits — to understand application needs before a quote is developed. Develop PECO cost of the system together with the salesperson during quoting, and collaborate with other engineering team members on equipment selection (e.g., cooling tower or chiller sizing) as needed. Field day-to-day technical questions from individual salespeople as they arise, and provide start-up support to the field team — answering control questions and supplying documentation as needed. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent design experience. 3+ years of design engineering experience; experience with thermal/fluid, HVAC, or mechanical equipment preferred. Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD — SolidWorks and AutoCAD. Working knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and mechanical systems. Experience sizing and selecting equipment (pumps, heat transfer, filtration, or similar) and selecting appropriate materials. Ability to manage and track multiple projects simultaneously from concept to delivery. Procurement and vendor-coordination experience a plus. Strong communication skills for working with customers, sales, and vendors. Professional Engineer (PE) license a plus, not required. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES Self-starter — takes ownership of designs and drives them to completion without hand-holding. Detail-oriented and accurate — drawings, BOMs, and selections done right the first time. Practical problem-solver — balances the technical ideal with buildability, lead time, and cost. Strong communicator — clear and professional with customers, sales, vendors, and the shop. Organized, timely, and punctual — dependable across multiple concurrent projects. Pay: $85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Work Location: In person