What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Project Engineer position at Industrial Kiln & Dryer Group?
About Us
Industrial Kiln & Dryer Group is a leader in the rotary equipment industry, providing world-class engineering, maintenance, and repair services to clients across North America. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, we specialize in servicing kilns, dryers, and other rotary processing equipment critical to manufacturing operations in a variety of sectors.
Our culture is grounded in integrity, innovation, and teamwork, and we are committed to delivering practical, high-quality solutions that keep our customers operating at peak performance.
Position Overview
The Senior Project Engineer is a highly experienced technical role responsible for leading engineering analysis, design, and field service support for rotary equipment systems. This position requires deep mechanical expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and a hands-on approach to diagnosing and resolving complex equipment and process challenges.
This role operates as a senior individual contributor, working cross-functionally with engineering, field service, fabrication, and sales teams to deliver high-quality solutions and ensure successful project execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform advanced engineering analysis on rotary equipment systems, including failure analysis, root cause investigations, and performance optimization
- Lead design and evaluation of mechanical components and system improvements
- Support project execution from concept through completion, ensuring technical accuracy and adherence to industry standards
- Collaborate with field service teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and provide technical guidance during inspections, repairs, and installations
- Develop engineering calculations, reports, and documentation to support project deliverables
- Interface with customers to assess needs, explain technical findings, and recommend solutions
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in design practices, documentation, and engineering processes
- Support coordination with fabrication, operations, and sales teams to ensure alignment and successful project outcomes
- Travel to client sites as needed, approximately 30%–50%, to take field measurements and analyze dryer and kiln designs in support of project execution.
- Must be willing and able to travel on short notice as business needs require.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 7 years of experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in heavy industrial equipment, rotary systems, or field service environments
- Experience with industrial heavy equipment construction, installation, or commissioning (e.g., kilns, dryers, conveyors, or similar systems) preferred
- Strong experience in equipment failure analysis, mechanical design, and system troubleshooting
- Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and familiarity with FEA or other analysis tools
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers and cross-functional teams
- Hands-on experience in field service or industrial environments strongly preferred
- Familiarity with pressure vessel design (ASME code) and/or steam dryer system design and analysis is a plus
- Hands-on experience taking precise field measurements of industrial rotary equipment (kilns, dryers), including geometry, alignment, and wear condition assessments is a plus
Benefits
- Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave
- Supportive, team-oriented work culture