About ACM
American Canning Machines designs and builds canning systems for craft beverage producers. Our fillers, seamers, applicators, and accessories are engineered, assembled, and tested in our Austin facility, and they run in breweries, cideries, distilleries, and co-packers around the world.
We're founder-led and independently owned. That means decisions get made quickly and everyone here has direct influence on the product and the business.
How we work
We're a small team and we work closely together. Engineering sits a short walk from the shop floor, so the drawings you release are being built within days and you see how they hold up in production. There isn't much hierarchy here, so you'll talk directly to the people who can answer your question, whether that's the owners, the shop, supply chain, or support. We'd rather you ask early than spend a day guessing.
Nobody here gets micromanaged. We'll be clear about what needs to happen and by when, and you'll own the approach. You won't be doing it alone. You'll work directly with our co-founder and head of engineering and the rest of the team, and we'll make sure you have the context and the answers you need.
The engineers who do well here are the ones who notice a process that isn't working and fix it. Most of what we do now started that way.
When the business does well, the team shares in it through performance-based bonuses.
The role
You'll own our production-released designs after the 3D model stage, and you'll own the order they live in. Our models, drawings, and BOMs are the record of what we build, and keeping that record organized and current is the center of this job. You'll drive engineering changes through release, and serve as the technical backstop for our support team on advanced machine issues.
What you'll do
- Keep our CAD models, drawings, and engineering files organized and current. Set and enforce the conventions that hold it together: part numbering, file naming, folder and vault structure, revision practice.
- Take rough 3D models and refine them into fully detailed, production-quality CAD models.
- Turn SolidWorks models into production-ready 2D drawings: dimensioning, tolerancing, GD&T where needed, and assembly notes.
- Document mechanical assemblies, including sheet metal and structural weldments, with correct materials and manufacturing constraints.
- Own the engineering release process in SolidWorks PDM: check-in, revision control, and ECO/ECN execution.
- Build and maintain accurate multi-level BOMs across mechanical assemblies, control panels, and electrical enclosures.
- Help our support team troubleshoot advanced mechanical, electrical, and controls issues on customer machines, and turn recurring problems into design fixes.
- Partner with supply chain on component sourcing: evaluate and qualify substitute or alternate parts when something is obsolete, back-ordered, or overpriced, and document the change through the ECO process so the drawing and BOM stay true.
- Coordinate with outside compliance consultants and test labs (e.g. CE, UL/ETL). Maintain technical files and track certification status.
What you need
- BS in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering degree, or an associate degree with equivalent hands-on experience
- 3 to 5 years in manufacturing, sustaining, or design engineering
- High proficiency in SolidWorks, including the ability to take a rough model to a fully detailed, production-ready state
- Working knowledge of ECO/ECN processes
- Strong Microsoft skills: Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint, file server management
- Solid fabrication knowledge: sheet metal, structural weldments, mechanical assemblies
- You keep files, part numbers, and revisions in order as a matter of habit. Someone who isn't you should be able to find the current revision without asking.
- On-site at our Austin facility five days a week. This is not a remote or hybrid role.
- Able to travel occasionally for field research, support, or supplier visits. Typically less than 5% of the time.
Nice to have
- SolidWorks PDM or other managed vault experience
- ERP experience (NetSuite preferred)
- Industrial controls or control panel experience
- CE, ATEX, or UL/ETL certification experience
- Beverage, packaging, or food equipment background
What success looks like at 90 days
- The drawing, BOM, and ECO backlog is cleared.
- You own all new ECOs end to end.
- You're the first escalation point for support on technical issues.
Benefits
- Health insurance with 99% of the employee premium covered and 50% for dependents
- Dental, life, and company-paid disability coverage
- 401(k)
- Flexible PTO and paid holidays
- Performance-based bonuses