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Lead Mechanical Designer

Clearwater Industries, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53244

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Location:

9333 N 49th St, Brown Deer, WI 53223

Job Type:

Full-Time (Monday–Friday, with flexible scheduling options)

Work Arrangement:

On-site

Compensation:

$90,000 - $95,000/yr annual salary range based on experience.

Quarterly production bonus.

About Us Clearwater Industries is a Milwaukee-based manufacturer specializing in industrial water clarification equipment. Our products include flocculant preparation systems, pump skid assemblies, fines recovery systems, and both stationary and portable water clarifiers. These systems integrate weldments, tanks, piping, purchased components, motors, sensors, and controls. Additionally, we provide a wide array of clarifying chemistries to our clients, from jar testing to "last mile" logistics, ensuring the optimal solution is provided. Working with the leading chemical manufacturers allows us to serve industries worldwide, including sand and gravel, tunneling, drilling, paper production, power generation, dredging, and municipal water treatment.

Job Summary The Lead Mechanical Designer combines hands‑on design work (approximately 50%) with team leadership and administrative responsibilities (approximately 50%). This role oversees a team of two mechanical designers while also handling the most complex mechanical design challenges, including custom equipment and new product development. The Lead Designer is responsible for establishing mechanical design standards, reviewing drawings for accuracy and completeness, and ensuring project success through effective coordination with all departments.

Key Responsibilities

Lead mechanical design efforts for custom equipment, new product development, and complex assemblies.

Generate weldment and assembly drawings, including bills of materials (BOM).

Develop detailed design models, drawings, and specifications using SOLIDWORKS (daily) and AutoCAD (rarely).

Manage mechanical design files and documentation using SOLIDWORKS PDM.

Supervise, mentor, and train a team of ~2-3 mechanical designers.

Serve as the final authority on all drawings released to production, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to standards before sign‑off.

Assign work, manage priorities, and balance team workload across projects.

Provide input on hiring decisions and conduct performance reviews for mechanical design team members.

Establish and maintain mechanical drafting & design standards, templates, and best practices.

Modify and revise mechanical designs to correct operating deficiencies or address production challenges.

Inspect received and manufactured goods using cameras, tape measures, and calipers to ensure compliance with approved drawings.

Collaborate with sales, project management, procurement, and all Clearwater team members to ensure project success.

Qualifications

Minimum 5 years of drafting and design experience in SOLIDWORKS for a manufacturing company.

Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or equivalent experience in a related field.

Prior experience in a lead, supervisory, or mentorship role is preferred.

Demonstrated ability to review drawings for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to standards.

Hands‑on experience, whether personal or professional, is a plus (e.g., welding, automotive maintenance, building projects, home improvement, inventing, etc.).

Skills

Proficiency in SOLIDWORKS and PDM for drafting and file management.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Excellent communication skills for coordinating with team members and other departments.

Ability to lead and develop team members in a collaborative environment.

Experience with ERP software (JobBoss) is a plus.

Experience with project management tools (Asana) is a plus.

Why Join Us? At Clearwater, we foster a collaborative and growth‑oriented environment where employees can make a meaningful impact. We value continuous improvement, operational excellence, and teamwork. As Lead Mechanical Designer, you will play a key role in shaping our mechanical design standards and developing our mechanical design team. This role offers the opportunity to shape and drive success in a growing manufacturing company.

Benefits & Perks Core Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays

Company 401K Plan with a 3% employer contribution

Health Insurance Program

Jury Duty, Bereavement, and Voting Leave

Worker's Compensation, Disability Insurance, and Unemployment Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Quarterly production bonus.

Tuition Reimbursement for Continuing Education

Onsite Exercise Equipment, Aikido Dojo, and Yoga/Meditation Spaces

Adjacent to the Oak Leaf Trail System for Bike Commuting or Outdoor Activities

How to Apply Candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to

careers@clearwaterind.com .

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa now or in the future.

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