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Senior SOLIDWORKS Designer – Research & Development
Company: Grand Canyon Gas Logs / Summit Luxury Fireplaces
Department: Research & Development
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Position Overview
Grand Canyon Gas Logs / Summit Luxury Fireplaces is seeking a Senior SOLIDWORKS Designer to join our Research & Development team in Phoenix. This role supports the full product development cycle from concept through prototype and into production. The position is intended for a designer who can contribute as an R&D problem solver, supporting engineering design, prototype development, testing, and engineering documentation.
The position is primarily design focused (approximately 75%), with the remaining portion involving hands-on lab work (approximately 25%) supporting prototype development and testing activities.
Key Responsibilities
Mechanical Design
Develop and maintain SOLIDWORKS models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings for products including gas burners, fireplaces, and accessory kits. Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5 when preparing production drawings. Create and maintain accurate Manufacturing Bills of Materials (Manufacturing BOMs) and ensure drawings clearly communicate materials, tolerances, and fabrication requirements for production.
Engineering Documentation & Change Control
Manage engineering documentation using SOLIDWORKS PDM, including structured file vault organization, workflow state transitions, revision control, and release approvals. Support engineering change management by creating and processing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and maintaining documentation that supports manufacturing, testing, and certification requirements.
Prototype Development & Lab Support
Assist with prototype assembly, test setup, and instrumentation, including installation and monitoring of thermocouples used in combustion and temperature testing. Support engineering validation activities through hands-on lab work and accurate documentation of observations and test results.
Measurement & Inspection
A
pply strong measurement techniques using common inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other precision measurement instruments to validate prototypes and support design refinement.
Reverse Engineering
Perform reverse engineering of existing components and assemblies when models or drawings are not available. This includes measuring physical parts, recreating them in SOLIDWORKS, generating manufacturing drawings, and identifying improvements to manufacturability, materials, or assembly methods.
Supplier Collaboration & Production Support
Work closely with suppliers on custom and COTS components, ensuring parts meet design intent and manufacturing requirements. Support the transition of designs into production, coordinating with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure accurate documentation and manufacturability.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of professional SOLIDWORKS design experience
- Strong proficiency with SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS PDM
- Experience working within structured PDM vault environments, including workflow states, revision control, and engineering change documentation
- Experience managing Manufacturing Bills of Materials (Manufacturing BOMs)
- Experience supporting Engineering Change Requests (ECR/ECO) and controlled engineering releases
- Strong understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation
- Experience applying GD&T per ASME Y14.5 in manufacturing drawings
- Experience in HVAC or appliance product design is beneficial but not required
Technical Competency Expectations
C
andidates should demonstrate strong working knowledge of advanced SOLIDWORKS capabilities including:
- Assembly management
- Configurations and design tables
- Sheet metal and weldments
- Manufacturing drawing creation and detailing