Design Engineer / Automotive Body Design Specialist

Metalfab Fire Trucks is a premier manufacturer of customized fire apparatus, proudly designing and building high-quality emergency vehicles for fire departments and communities across North America.

About the role

Our fire apparatus are engineered and manufactured to meet the demanding requirements of firefighters, emergency responders and the communities they serve. Every vehicle is built with a focus on quality, durability, safety, functionality and customer-specific design.

We are seeking an experienced Design Engineer / Automotive Body Design Specialist to join our manufacturing team in New Brunswick. This is a hands‐on design position for someone who enjoys taking a customer requirement or product concept from initial design through detailed engineering and ultimately seeing the finished fire apparatus manufactured on the shop floor.

The successful candidate will develop practical, production‐ready designs and detailed engineering drawings for custom fire truck bodies, emergency vehicle components, fabricated metal assemblies and related systems.

We are looking for a self‐starter who combines strong 3D CAD capabilities with a practical understanding of fabrication, welding, assembly and manufacturing processes. You will work closely with engineering, production, fabrication and other internal teams to ensure every design meets the functional, quality, cost and manufacturability requirements expected of a premier fire apparatus manufacturer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and modify mechanical designs, components and assemblies for customized fire apparatus using 3D CAD software.
• Design fire truck bodies, compartments, emergency vehicle components, fabricated assemblies, sheet‐metal components, fixtures and related products.
• Create complete manufacturing drawings including dimensions, tolerances, materials, weldments, hardware and fabrication requirements.
• Translate customer requirements, product concepts and engineering specifications into practical, production‐ready fire apparatus designs.
• Support the design of custom solutions that meet the operational needs of fire departments and emergency responders.
• Work directly with fabrication, welding, machining, assembly and production personnel to ensure designs can be manufactured efficiently and consistently.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical support throughout the manufacturing process.
• Review existing fire apparatus designs and identify opportunities to improve functionality, durability, serviceability, manufacturability, quality and cost.
• Troubleshoot design and manufacturing issues and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Maintain accurate CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, revisions and related engineering documentation.
• Support prototype development, testing and implementation of new fire apparatus designs and product improvements.
• Apply appropriate engineering standards, customer requirements, safety considerations and company procedures.
• Support continuous improvement, product standardization and new product development initiatives.
• Help develop reusable designs, components and manufacturing standards that improve engineering and production efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure designs support the long‐term reliability and performance expected from Metalfab fire apparatus.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and practical design/manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years of mechanical design experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably involving fire apparatus, truck bodies, trailers, specialty vehicles, heavy equipment or custom metal fabrication.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD design and modeling.
• Demonstrated experience producing detailed drawings that can be used directly by manufacturing and fabrication teams.
• Experience with one or more of the following: SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and manufacturing processes.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances and material requirements.
• Strong practical problem‐solving skills and a hands‐on approach to engineering.
• Ability to manage multiple custom designs, projects and priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, production and project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing welded fabrications, truck bodies, compartments and structural assemblies.
• Experience designing machined components and custom vehicle systems.
• Previous experience in fire apparatus, emergency vehicles, truck, trailer, specialty vehicle, heavy-equipment or transportation manufacturing.
• Familiarity with GD&T and applicable engineering standards.
• Experience working directly with welders, fabricators, assemblers and production personnel.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).
• Experience with prototype development, product testing and design validation.
• Experience developing and maintaining bills of materials and engineering change/revision documentation.
• Understanding of the operational requirements of fire departments, emergency responders or other public‐safety organizations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Life and disability insurance
• Employer‐supported retirement savings
• Paid vacation
• Paid statutory holidays
• Support for relevant technical training and industry certifications
• Company‐provided computer, CAD software and engineering tools
• Stable, full‐time, year-round employment
• Opportunities for advancement as our engineering and manufacturing operations grow
• The opportunity to contribute to the design and manufacture of customized fire apparatus used by fire departments and emergency responders

Salary

$70,000-$85,000 per year, based on education, experience, technical capabilities and demonstrated manufacturing knowledge.

Employment Type

Full-Time, Permanent