Senior Manufacturing and Product Development Engineer Metal Fabrication East Baltimore / Essex, Maryland Full-time, on-site | $110,000-$160,000 annually, depending on experience and credentials A century-old, family-owned manufacturing company is seeking a seasoned, hands-on engineer with 15+ years of experience and expert-level SOLIDWORKS and CAD skills. Our projects range from functional furniture hardware and metal furniture to complex government contract work. We need someone who can take a customer's concept, develop a practical design, build and refine a prototype, and deliver a complete production package on time. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a passion for their craft. They should also understand modern fabrication equipment, machine programming, tooling, welding, and finishing. They will think creatively, solve practical manufacturing problems, and work closely with the Sales team and company owners to turn customer needs into products that can be built efficiently. This candidate should have extensive floor experience as well. They should be well versed in assisting the production team with new designs and quality inspection. This is a dynamic position for a candidate that has a true love and passion for their craft. Responsibilities
- Independently lead projects from customer concept through design, prototyping, testing, and production release.
- Work closely with Sales and company owners to clarify requirements, evaluate feasibility, develop solutions, and meet delivery commitments.
- Develop
SOLIDWORKS
models, CAD drawings, fabrication drawings, bills of materials, and clear manufacturing instructions.
- Think beyond conventional approaches to solve design and fabrication challenges while balancing function, quality, cost, and lead time.
- Select suitable metals, thicknesses, tooling, tolerances, joining methods, and finishes.
- Work with modern CNC equipment, including flat-bed lasers, tube lasers, turret punches, and press brakes; understand and review programs, nesting, cutting paths, bending sequences, and tooling setups.
- Apply practical welding knowledge, including joint design, weld accessibility, distortion control, and appearance requirements.
- Account for powder coating and other finishing processes during design, including surface preparation, masking, coating buildup, and final fit.
- Work alongside shop employees to build prototypes, troubleshoot fabrication problems, and improve product quality.
- Support special projects by interpreting specifications and preparing accurate technical documentation.
- Coordinate with Purchasing, Quality, Production, customers, and overseas manufacturing partners to keep projects on schedule. Required Qualifications
- 15+ years of relevant experience in metal fabrication engineering, manufacturing, or product development.
- Expert-level proficiency in SOLIDWORKS and CAD, with demonstrated ability to produce accurate, fabrication-ready designs.
- Proven ability to take a customer's idea through a working prototype and into production.
- Strong understanding of modern fabrication machinery and familiarity with the software and programming used to operate it.
- Practical knowledge of flat-bed and tube laser cutting, punching, forming, tooling, machining, and assembly.
- Strong knowledge of metal materials, welding processes, powder coating, and finishing requirements.
- Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to develop workable solutions to unfamiliar or complex challenges.
- A hands-on approach and demonstrated ability to solve problems directly on the shop floor.
- Ability to manage projects independently, maintain accurate documentation, and deliver on schedule.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills, including effective collaboration with Sales, company owners, and shop employees.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively under pressure.
- An engineering degree or equivalent demonstrated technical expertise and industry experience. Preferred Qualifications
- Direct programming experience with flat-bed and/or tube lasers, particularly AMADA and Mazak.
- Experience with CNC press brake programming, nesting software, or robotic welding.
- Experience with furniture hardware, metal furniture, and government contract manufacturing.
- Spanish or Chinese language skills to communicate with shop employees or overseas manufacturing partners. What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- 401(k), 401(k) Match, healthcare options, Dental, Vision, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, Life Insurance, Disability and FSA
- Holiday bonus
- Casual, respectful, and collaborative work environment
- Access to modern fabrication tools and software systems
Work Location:
This role is 100% on-site at our East Baltimore facility (no remote work). Why Join Us Bring your experience to a company where engineering and manufacturing work closely together. You will own varied projects, collaborate directly with the owners and Sales team, and see your designs become finished products—from everyday functional hardware to demanding custom fabrication. How to Apply Submit your résumé and examples of projects you have taken from concept through prototype or production. Include your role in each project and the machines, programming software, welding methods, and finishing processes you have worked with.
Pay:
$110,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
Education:
Bachelor's (Preferred)
Experience:
SolidWorks:
5 years (Required)
Work Location:
In person