Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Position Summary
PADNOS, a fourth-generation, family-owned recycling and recycled-materials company headquartered in Holland, MI (padnos.com), is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Co-op to join its Engineering team. This is a three-semester cooperative education position completed through the Grand Valley State University Padnos College of Engineering (PCE) co-op program.
This co-op is centered on mechanical design and research and development for scrap and recycling processing equipment. Working alongside degreed engineers, our in-house machine shop and millwright crews, and plant operations, the student will use CAD to design new machinery and components, build and test prototypes, reverse engineer existing equipment, and develop improvements that raise the throughput, reliability, and material recovery of our processing systems, including shredders, balers, shears, separation and sorting systems, and conveyors.
Key Responsibilities
CAD and New Machinery Design
Create 3D part models, assemblies, and fully dimensioned 2D fabrication and machining drawings in SolidWorks (or similar)
Design new machinery, components, and subassemblies for scrap processing operations, from concept sketches and calculations through released drawings
Perform engineering calculations (loads, stresses, weldments, fasteners, drives, and power transmission) to validate designs, using FEA where appropriate
Maintain organized CAD files, revision control, and bills of materials
Prototyping and Research & Development
Support R&D projects from concept and feasibility through prototype, testing, and full implementation
Build, install, and test prototypes with the machine shop and millwright crews; collect test data and iterate on the design
Research new processing technologies, materials, and equipment; benchmark alternatives and present findings and recommendations to engineering leadership
Help prepare project scopes, equipment specifications, vendor quotes, and cost and feasibility estimates for R&D and capital projects
Reverse Engineering
Field-measure and reverse engineer existing equipment, components, and wear parts to produce accurate CAD models and drawings
Develop in-house drawings for obsolete, undocumented, or high-cost OEM parts to support fabrication, alternate sourcing, and design upgrades
Processing Equipment Improvement
Analyze production, downtime, and wear data to identify design-driven improvement opportunities on processing equipment
Redesign components and systems to improve throughput, metal recovery, wear life, safety, and maintainability
Perform root-cause analysis on recurring equipment failures and develop engineered corrective actions
Support installation, commissioning, and post-implementation review of new and modified equipment
Collaborate daily with maintenance, operations, and EHS (environmental, health & safety) teams, and document designs, procedures, and lessons learned
Typical Co-op Progression
Co-op I: Build CAD and shop-floor fundamentals by reverse engineering existing equipment and wear parts, creating and updating drawings, and supporting active design and improvement projects
Co-op II: Take on component and subsystem redesigns, perform supporting calculations, and build and test prototypes with the shop and millwright teams
Co-op III: Lead a defined design or R&D project from concept through prototype, testing, and implementation, and present results to engineering and operations leadership
Qualifications & Requirements
Enrolled in the GVSU Padnos College of Engineering (PCE) Mechanical Engineering program, in good academic standing
Completed (or completing) the Engineering Professionalism course and approved by PCE to accept a co-op offer
Available for three alternating semesters at 40 hours/week (Standard schedule), or the Flex option (six consecutive semesters at 20 hours/week) by special approval
Working knowledge of 3D CAD software (SolidWorks or similar), including part modeling,…