Senior Mechanical Design Manager

Position Title: Senior Mechanical Design Manager
Department: Food
Division: AGI Food
Location: Naperville, IL or Joplin, MO

About AGI 

Ag Growth International (AGI) is a Canadian based food infrastructure company. With over 3,800 employees and over 30 global manufacturing brands, AGI is a leading provider of equipment and technology solutions for agricultural commodities including seed, fertilizer, grain and feed systems and an expanding platform for food processing facilities.

The AGI Food Group specializes in the food and beverage industry. Clients have enlisted AGI Food’s expert team to manage numerous challenging projects from start to finish, taking a flexible and collaborative approach that considers all stakeholder requirements, as well as the safety of everyone involved.

The Opportunity

The Sr. Mechanical Design Manager will lead and build a Product Mechanical Design Team to support manufacturing and product transfer initiatives.

• Oversee the creation of detailed 3D models in SolidWorks for machinery, equipment, and structures, both as standalone units and as part of integrated systems, including all necessary mounting and piping requirements.
• Interpret structural indication drawings, specifications, sketches, and other relevant information.
• Participate in engineering calculations and ensure all designs consider safety, installation methodologies, and lifting plans.
• Ensure compliance with ASME, NFPA, and OSHA standards related to manufacturing equipment and platform design.
• Design for manufacturability, working closely with manufacturing teams to develop designs that can be efficiently produced in-house or by third-party vendors.
• Implement industry standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and oversight to the Mechanical Design team.
• Review and approve vendor equipment drawings, ensuring they meet project specifications and standards.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with mechanical designs, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Lead the development and expansion of the product portfolio, establishing a design basis for standard offerings.
• Assist Project Managers and estimators as needed, contributing technical expertise to project planning and execution.
• Conduct pre-engineering measurements, site surveys, and assist with start-up activities at customer sites.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices in mechanical engineering and product design.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and resources, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Maintain strong communication and collaboration with Senior Leadership and cross-functional teams, including those in different divisions, countries, and time zones.
• Treat all company and customer information with confidentiality, adhering to AGI policies and procedures.
• Proactively inform management of any issues that could impact the company's ability to meet customer requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in mechanical design and engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proficiency in 3D SolidWorks design and drafting.
• Expertise in metal fabrication, material handling equipment, structures, and grain systems.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Extensive mechanical and technical knowledge, particularly in equipment manufacturing.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is an asset.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel internationally as required.
• Ability to work onsite at the company office in Naperville, IL, in collaboration with other centralized cross-functional AGI teams.

Why AGI?

Leading the Way in Global Food Supply Chain Solutions  

AGI is a leading global expert in providing farmers, processors and commercial customers with the right equipment and customized engineering solutions to produce, protect and deliver the world’s grain, fertilizer, seed, feed and food supplies. Dedicated to safety, innovation and customization, AGI offers one of the largest catalogs of equipment and full-service planning and engineering services for the storage, blending, mixing, conveying, conditioning, and processing of agricultural products worldwide. Supported by an extensive in-country sales and service team,