DV Engineering is a small, owner-operated mechanical engineering and design practice based in central Alberta. The business is early-stage, but the work is built on years of practical mechanical engineering, industrial equipment, and fabrication experience.
I’m looking for a part-time Mechanical Designer to help with SolidWorks modelling and detailed design work for industrial equipment projects. This role would suit someone with practical mechanical design experience who understands how fabricated equipment gets built, installed, adjusted, and maintained.
The role is expected to start as part-time/project-based, but there may be potential for it to grow into more hours or possibly a full-time position over time as workload develops.
Typical projects may include conveyors and material-handling equipment, hoppers, bins, chutes, guards, welded frames, fabricated structures, sheet-metal parts, shafts, bearings, drive components, motor/gearbox mounts, and custom industrial equipment upgrades or modifications.
This is not a pure production drafting role where every detail is already defined. I’m looking for someone who can work from conceptual models, rough layouts, design intent, and key constraints, then help turn those ideas into detailed SolidWorks models and fabrication-ready drawings. The right person will be able to flag issues, ask good questions, suggest practical improvements, and help resolve the normal details required to make a design buildable.
Typical Responsibilities
- Create and revise SolidWorks part, assembly, and drawing files
- Detail conceptual equipment models into practical, buildable designs
- Prepare fabrication drawings for weldments, sheet metal, guards, frames, brackets, chutes, and related equipment
- Develop drawing packages suitable for fabrication
- Incorporate purchased components into assemblies where required
- Work from sketches, markups, photos, rough models, and design discussions
- Identify design issues, missing information, and manufacturability concerns
- Communicate clearly and reliably as projects progress
Desired Experience and Skills
The ideal candidate will have strong SolidWorks experience and relevant experience with industrial equipment, material handling, custom fabrication, mechanical systems, or similar design work. Five or more years of SolidWorks experience would be preferred, but practical ability, design judgment, and relevant project experience matter more than a specific number of years.
Strong candidates may come from backgrounds such as industrial equipment, conveyors, agricultural equipment, mining equipment, sawmill/wood/fiber handling, custom fabrication shops, automation/integration environments, maintenance/reliability groups, or other hands-on mechanical design environments.
Important skills and attributes include:
- Strong SolidWorks part, assembly, and drawing skills
- Experience designing for fabrication
- Strong detailed drawing creation skills
- Experience with weldments and sheet-metal components
- Practical mechanical design judgment
- Familiarity with bearing selection and power transmission concepts
- Ability to work from incomplete concepts and ask good questions
- Reliable communication and follow-through
- Curious, learning-oriented mindset
- Comfort working independently without a large-company CAD department structure
Helpful assets include:
- AutoCAD experience
- Structural steel knowledge
- Familiarity with CSA W59 / CWB welding, CISC/AISC steel design concepts, occupational health and safety, machine guarding, or general fabrication standards
- Experience with conveyors, guarding, or industrial material-handling equipment
- Basic Excel and general comfort working with shared files and PDF markups
Formal credentials are less important than relevant experience, sound mechanical judgment, and strong SolidWorks ability. A mechanical engineering technology diploma, design/drafting background, or similar practical training would be considered an asset. P.Eng. designation is not required.
Work Arrangement
This role is expected to be approximately 10–15 hours per week on average to start, with flexible scheduling. The exact workload may vary by project, and there may be potential for increased hours over time if the fit and workload are there.
Some daytime availability will be needed for coordination, project reviews, and occasional site visits.
Local candidates in the Lacombe / Red Deer / central Alberta area are strongly preferred. Some remote work is possible, but the person must be able to attend occasional site visits, project reviews, and in-person coordination meetings.
The role will likely be project-based to start, with the potential to become an ongoing part-time arrangement as workload and fit are established. Employment or contract arrangements may both be considered, although a part-time employment arrangement is preferred. SolidWorks access can likely be provided if needed.
Start date is flexible, but I’m looking to begin working with the right person as soon as a suitable fit is found.
To Apply
Please email [email protected] with a brief note outlining your relevant experience, along with a resume or summary of your work history. Examples of SolidWorks models, fabrication drawings, or relevant equipment projects are welcome but not required.
Pay: $45.00-$65.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Are you within reasonable driving distance of Lacombe / Red Deer / central Alberta?
- Briefly describe one fabricated piece of equipment, machine, conveyor, guard, frame, chute, hopper, or similar industrial project you have designed or detailed in SolidWorks.
Experience:
- SolidWorks: 3 years (required)
- Mechanical Design: 5 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lacombe, AB
