Extrusion Press Mechanical Design Engineer (SolidWorks + FEA)

A day in the life

You begin your morning modeling a tie-rod assembly in SolidWorks for a new extrusion press upgrade. Before lunch, you review FEA outcomes to validate a container redesign. In the afternoon, you’re on a call with our field services crew, troubleshooting a hydraulic issue at a customer site, and then coordinating shop schedules to keep machinists and assemblers fully utilized. You wrap up by refining a quote for a billet loader retrofit.

As Dunaway’s primary engineering point of contact, you will report directly to the President/Owner. You’ll independently tackle complex mechanical challenges while collaborating seamlessly with a tight-knit team.

What you’ll do

• Design extrusion presses and related material handling equipment using 3D modeling tools.
• Reverse-engineer existing machines to enable repair, upgrades, and product improvements.
• Partner with field services to diagnose and resolve equipment issues in the field.
• Plan and orchestrate the movement and installation of industrial systems: extrusion presses, handling lines, billet heaters, and more.
• Support estimating by preparing scope details and assisting with job quotes.
• Travel 10%–15% (subject to change with workload) for site visits, installs, and troubleshooting.

What you bring

• 10+ years designing industrial machinery and equipment.
• Proven ability to schedule work through the shop to keep machinists and assemblers busy.
• Expertise creating manufacturing-ready 2D drawings in SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
• Hands-on knowledge of hydraulics for both new designs and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of FEA using industry-standard tools.
• Familiarity with industrial electrical systems and components.

Preferred

• Background in the aluminum extrusion industry (design and troubleshooting).
• SolidWorks plus CAM software experience.
• 3+ years designing aluminum extrusion presses and associated handling/support equipment (billet loaders, extrusion presses, stems, containers, tie rods, etc.).
• Engineering degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.

Proficiencies

• Project management; machine building/assembly oversight.
• CAD fluency and strong mechanical design & engineering fundamentals.
• Product design experience and pneumatics troubleshooting.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) interpretation and application.

Tools & technologies

• 3D modeling and 2D drawings.
• Industrial controls; extrusion machinery.
• AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and CAM software.
• PLCs, especially Allen‑Bradley.

Compensation

Pay is based on experience.

About Dunaway

For over 40 years, Dunaway has designed, built, and upgraded extrusion presses and complete systems. Our turnkey approach supports projects of every size—from relining containers and modernizing equipment to full systems installation and plant redesign.

With in-house CNC capabilities holding tolerances to 0.0005", we deliver precision components for extrusion presses. We also provide engineering, consultation, installations, and field services. Our equipment operates worldwide across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. We’re the Extrusion Machinery Specialists.