Senior Designer Mechanical (51306)

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Why work here

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

Position Summary:

The Senior Designer, Mechanical, is responsible for creating blueprints, drawings, and 3D models for manufacturing packages related to HVAC systems and components. This role involves collaborating with the engineering team, developing production and installation manuals, and supporting the creation of accurate documentation for manufacturing and assembly to deliver innovative and reliable solutions, with a focus on thermal cooling systems and data center applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the creation and development of complex 3D models of HVAC equipment, assemblies, and components, ensuring design intent, manufacturability, and performance requirements are met.
• Drive advanced sheet metal design work using SolidWorks, applying industry best practices and guiding others in proper modeling techniques.
• Oversee and approve complete manufacturing packages, including detailed shop drawings, assembly instructions, and fabrication documentation.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and cross‑functional teams, providing technical insight, resolving design challenges, and ensuring documentation accuracy across disciplines.
• Manage and control design data, including revisions, drawings, engineering changes, and bills of materials, with responsibility for ensuring configuration accuracy and process compliance.
• Apply expert mechanical aptitude and strong analytical reasoning, contributing to design feasibility reviews and mentoring junior designers in problem‑solving techniques.
• Develop and refine production and installation methodologies, documenting processes step‑by‑step for manuals and operational guides.
• Create and maintain high‑quality installation, operation, and maintenance drawings and instructions, ensuring clarity, compliance, and ease of use for end users and field technicians.
• Serve as a subject‑matter resource, providing guidance, training, and design leadership to support team growth and project success.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Required:

• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, with the ability to model complex assemblies and set modeling standards for the design team.
• Strong 2D CAD capabilities, including creating, reviewing, and approving detailed drawings for manufacturing and documentation.
• 7+ years of progressive mechanical design experience, ideally within HVAC, sheet metal, or equipment manufacturing environments, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility and technical ownership.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing practices and processes, with the ability to guide designers and collaborate effectively with fabrication and assembly teams.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross‑functional teams, contributing technical expertise and mentoring junior designers.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, capable of managing multiple projects, revisions, and deliverables with minimal oversight.
• Highly effective time‑management skills, able to prioritize tasks in a fast‑paced engineering and production environment.
• Comfortable working across office and shop‑floor environments, including extended time on CAD systems as well as hands‑on interaction with physical components when necessary.
• Able to participate in and occasionally lead manufacturing floor meetings, providing technical support and performing light‑duty tasks as needed to validate designs or resolve issues.

Preferred:

• SolidWorks certification.
• American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) certification.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing documentation.

Key Competencies:

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring design accuracy, manufacturability, and compliance with internal and industry standards.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross‑functional teams, contributing technical expertise and mentoring junior designers.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, capable of managing multiple projects, revisions, and deliverables with minimal oversight.
• Highly effective time‑management skills, able to prioritize tasks in a fast‑paced engineering and production environment.

Benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Group term life insurance coverage
• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
• 401k matching
• Company paid events
• Annual safety shoe allowance
• Education assistance program

EEO Statement:

Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.

Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.