DESIGN ENGINEER

Job Description

Job Description

DESIGN ENGINEER

About Us

Akona Process Solutions brings together the proven expertise of four established brands—Spiroflow, Kason, Cablevey, and Marion—to deliver industry-leading solutions in material handling and processing. With a combined legacy of over 200 years, Akona specializes in mixers, blenders, dryers, screeners, tubular drag conveyors, and bulk material handling systems. Our solutions are designed to improve efficiency, hygiene, and performance in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and chemicals. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Akona serves customers globally with centers of excellence in the USA, UK, and Germany.

Job Summary

Akona’s Marion facility is seeking a talented Design Engineer to join our team and help shape the future of capital equipment manufacturing. In this role, you will lead the design and development of high-performance equipment, performing detailed mechanical analyses and creating innovative solutions that meet rigorous standards of quality, functionality, and reliability. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, providing engineering support and ensuring that designs are practical, manufacturable, and exceed customer expectations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design & Development : Create and develop mechanical designs for capital equipment, ensuring compliance with Akona’s standards for quality, functionality, and reliability.
• Mechanical Analysis : Perform detailed mechanical calculations, stress analysis, tolerance studies, and material selection to optimize designs.
• Technical Support : Provide engineering support to internal teams and external customers, addressing technical questions and resolving design-related issues.
• Collaboration : Work closely with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality, sales, and project management, to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet customer requirements.
• Continuous Improvement : Identify opportunities to enhance product performance, reduce costs, and improve manufacturability through innovative solutions and design improvements.
• Documentation & Standards : Prepare and maintain accurate engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and technical documentation in compliance with company and industry standards.
• Project Participation : Contribute to project planning, timelines, and execution, ensuring engineering deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Customer Interaction : Communicate effectively with customers to understand requirements, provide design updates, and incorporate feedback into solutions.
• Compliance & Safety : Ensure all designs comply with relevant industry codes, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing : Share engineering knowledge with junior engineers or technicians, supporting team development and continuous learning

Note, the statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, abilities, and skills required.

Job Requirements

Identify the key skills and competencies, education, work experience and special licenses or certifications or their equivalencies needed to competency perform the role.

Minimum Education

Minimum Work Experience (years)

Key Skills and Competencies

Licenses, Certifications or Special Qualifications

Position Specific Information

Travel Requirements

10%

Able to Telework? Yes / No

No

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required

Safety glasses, steel toe shoes

US Roles Only

Definitions of Physical Activities, Environmental Conditions and Physical Demands

Physical Activities

Select the frequency for each physical activity using the above definitions.

Physical Activity

Frequency

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

Occasionally

Working from heights such as roofs, ladders, or powered lifts.

Occasionally

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including awkward or tight and confined spaces.

Occasionally

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Frequently

Stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, reaching, pushing, or pulling.

Occasionally

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Occasionally

Adjusting or moving objects to up ## pounds in all directions.

Occasionally

If appropriate, enter in ## pounds.

30

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Constantly

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, or fingers.

Frequently

Operating machinery or power tools.

Occasionally

Operating motor vehicles, industrial vehicles, or heavy equipment.

Occasionally

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Constantly

Environmental Conditions

Select the frequency for each environmental condition using the above definitions.

Environmental Conditions

Frequency

Exposure to extreme temperatures (high or low).

Never

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Never

Noisy environments.

Occasionally

Other hazardous conditions such as vibrations, uneven ground surfaces or dust and fumes.

Never

Small or enclosed spaces.

Never

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Never

US Roles Only (continued)

Physical Demands

Select the physical demand description and answer a yes / no question.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting or standing.

Light work that includes moving objects up to 30 pounds.

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more (team lift).

Must be able to see color. Yes / No Yes

FLSA Exemption

For exempt roles only, select exemption used when evaluating the job.

Exemption (alpha order)

Administrative

Computer

Executive

Highly Compensated

Professional

Outside Sales

Please be advised that this Job Description or any other document should not be construed in any manner as a contract of employment. AHS maintains an employment at will relationship with its employees. This means that both you and the employer retain the right to terminate this relationship at any time for any reason.