Lanco Group of Companies is hiring: Structural/ Welding Design Engineer in Hazel

Overview

Description: Who we are — Lanco is a leading lifting company representing four iconic manufacturers, with the largest parts and service network in North America. In this role, you will support Mi-Jack Products, Inc., a recognized industry leader in Travelift and Translift equipment and maintenance services. We are committed to delivering reliable, safe, and efficient solutions from engineering to manufacturing, while providing an outstanding customer experience.

Position Overview: As a Structural/Welding Design Engineer, you will take a hands-on, technical leadership role within the engineering team, contributing to the design and development of new, existing, and prototype products. This role emphasizes mechanical and structural system design, performance, and reliability, and supports modularity and standardization across product lines where applicable. You will draft and detail your own designs, size critical components, and ensure compliance with current engineering codes and standards. Collaboration with internal teams, external vendors, and contractors is essential to delivering high-quality, manufacturable solutions. This role combines technical depth with mentorship, project execution, and adherence to company values, supporting safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Essential Functions

• Design & Drafting: Plan, conceptualize, and create mechanical and structural designs for new and existing products using 3D CAD software. Develop complete drawing packages including layouts, detailed part drawings, assemblies, and installation instructions with proper GD&T, weld symbols (AWS D14.1/D1.1), and dimensional tolerancing.
• Hands-On Detailing: Detail and draft mechanical parts and large structural weldments to ensure designs are production-ready and aligned with fabrication processes such as machining, forming, casting, forging, and welding.
• Connection Design & Sizing: Engineer and size mechanical and structural connections, including bolts, pins, and welds; determine appropriate fastener sizes, bolt patterns, and weld configurations based on load requirements, strength, and fatigue analysis.
• Rotating Systems & Power Transmission: Design and size rotating components (gearboxes, shafts, motors, brakes, wheels, shivs, drums); perform system-level calculations and collaborate with vendors to select and integrate components.
• Bearing Selection: Select and size bearings using industry standards and life calculations (e.g., L10 life) for hoist and rotating applications.
• Analytical Support: Perform and review structural analysis using hand calculations and/or FEA; validate designs for stress, fatigue, strength, and compliance with applicable codes for typical applications such as beams and bolted/welded connections.
• Enclosure & Cab Design: Design large-scale enclosures (e.g., containers, operator cabs) with internal bracing and integration with mechanical systems.
• Design Review & Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and drafters; check and review drawings and calculations for accuracy and analytical support.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work with cross-functional teams, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful system integration; participate in design reviews, generate technical reports/specifications, and communicate updates with the Chief Engineer.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations to achieve zero incidents and injuries.
• Communicate consistently with internal and external stakeholders about all activities.
• Maintain adherence to company policies to minimize liability.
• Assist with special projects or other duties as assigned.

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

What we are looking for

• Self-motivated and accountable, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented and capable of interpreting customer specifications and applying industry codes and standards.
• Proficient in 3D design environments with experience using Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Creo; strong understanding of 3D modeling fundamentals.
• Strong understanding of industry standards and code compliance in design reviews.
• Deep mechanical design knowledge covering the full lifecycle of parts from processing to manufacturing, with the ability to detail components and support designs with analytical validation.
• Expertise in structural and mechanical connections, including sizing and validating bolted, pinned, and welded joints.
• Experience with BOM management in CAD and ERP systems.
• Familiarity with engineering release processes, including ECNs in a structured release environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field (e.g., Agricultural Engineering with relevant mechanical/structural design experience).

Note: Degrees in Engineering Technology may be considered with applicable hands-on industry experience. This position is not intended for manufacturing or industrial engineering backgrounds.

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in mechanical and/or structural design engineering, including drafting, analytical validation, and component/system sizing.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an unrestricted basis (U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee).

Lanco does not provide employment-related sponsorship for this position.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical and/or structural engineering roles with a proven track record of delivering complex projects.
• Experience leading small engineering teams or mentoring junior engineers, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Work Environment

• This is primarily a sedentary office classification with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature, and no direct exposure to hazardous substances.
• Minimal travel required — up to 10% domestic and international travel.
• Location: Hazel Crest, IL

Physical Demands

• Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, pushing/pulling, and lifting of materials weighing less than 30 pounds.

Compensation/Benefits

Base pay range: $110,000 to $140,000. Final offer may vary based on experience, education, skills, and location. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan. Lanco is an equal employment opportunity employer, with decisions made without discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, age, military status, protected disability, citizenship, genetic information, or any other protected category.

Lanco Group of Companies