Lead Design Engineer

What's Awesome About Our Client? Join a leading worldwide manufacturer serving healthcare, education, hospitality, and dining industries. This is an opportunity to lead strategic and technical design direction in a high-volume, repetitive manufacturing environment. Help shape the future by driving product innovation, reliability, and cost-reduction initiatives. Work alongside executive leadership and cross-functional teams while directly mentoring senior and junior design engineers. Why this job – LEAD DESIGN ENGINEER: Join this premier manufacturing leader as their Lead Design Engineer to serve as the technical authority for product design and development across all product lines. This role is designed for a seasoned mechanical engineer who thrives on managing complex programs, defining system architectures, and driving products from concept through commercialization. You will bridge the gap between technical execution and business objectives, collaborating closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Operations. If you are a results-driven engineering leader looking to make a meaningful impact within a supportive, collaborative Denver-area team, this is the perfect career move. What You'll Actually Do: Lead mechanical design, define design architecture, create CAD models, and validate test methods across new products and existing system enhancements. Serve as the subject matter expert on refrigeration, thermodynamics, sheet metal design, and electro-mechanical system integration. Manage concurrent projects, design reviews, and stage-gate processes, while partnering with external vendors to meet business deadlines. Champion structured problem-solving (DFMEA, 8D, root cause analysis), cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives. Mentor and develop senior and junior engineers, aiding in team growth, hiring, and onboarding. To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Need: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).12+ years of mechanical design engineering experience with demonstrated leadership of complex product development programs. Expert proficiency in CAD software, PDM systems, and engineering design tools. Deep technical expertise in thermodynamics, refrigeration science, and electro-mechanical systems, alongside familiarity with regulatory standards. A collaborative, problem-solving mindset with proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams through full product lifecycles. Excellent data analysis, communication, and project management skills. Where and How Much: