Title:Senior Design Engineer – Centrifugal Pumps & Fluid Power
Location: Crawfordsville, IN
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $110-125k
Sterling Engineering is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer / Technical Authority to lead the design, development, and sustainment of complex centrifugal pump and fluid power products. This is a senior-level opportunity for an engineer with deep pump expertise who can lead major product development initiatives, solve complex technical challenges, and mentor other engineers.
What You’ll Do
- Lead centrifugal pump and fluid power product designs from concept through production launch
- Define product architecture, technical requirements, and design strategy
- Analyze pump performance, efficiency, NPSH, system curves, bearing life, and axial thrust
- Evaluate hydraulic and electric motor performance and pump/motor system interaction
- Lead major New Product Development (NPD) and VAVE initiatives
- Develop testing, validation, and qualification strategies, including hydraulic/performance testing
- Perform and review FEA and FMEA
- Apply advanced GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design verification
- Review and approve engineering drawings, designs, and ECNs
- Troubleshoot complex manufacturing, supplier, and field issues using root cause analysis
- Serve as a technical authority across multiple product lines
- Mentor engineers and establish engineering/design best practices
- Partner with Manufacturing, suppliers, customers, and other engineering teams
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology
- 7+ years of relevant engineering experience
- 5+ years of hands-on centrifugal pump experience
- Strong applied knowledge of hydraulic and electric motors
- Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and hydraulic systems
- Experience with pump performance, efficiency, NPSH, system curves, bearing life, and axial thrust
- Understanding of hydraulic motor operation, including torque/speed relationships and efficiency
- FEA and FMEA experience required
- Advanced GD&T, tolerance analysis, engineering drawings, and ECN experience
- Expert-level Autodesk Inventor
- Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring experience
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills
- Experience supporting NPD and VAVE initiatives
Why This Opportunity
This is an opportunity to take technical ownership of complex fluid-handling products while influencing product strategy, new product development, manufacturing performance, and engineering best practices. You’ll have the autonomy to make critical technical decisions while serving as a mentor and subject matter expert within the engineering organization.
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Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
