Job Description

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, assemblies, and detailed drawings
• Coursework or strong interest in machine design, statics and mechanics of materials, and manufacturing processes
• Hands-on build experience preferred, such as FIRST Robotics, Formula SAE or Baja SAE, fabrication, machining, welding, or personal design projects
• Strong mechanical aptitude, curiosity about how machines work, and hands-on problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working in an industrial/manufacturing plant environment, including time on the production floor and in the machine shop
• Strong communication, teamwork, and documentation skills

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Split between an engineering office setting for CAD design and analysis and an industrial recycling plant and machine shop environment, with exposure to noise, dust, and variable temperatures
• Required to wear PPE at all times on the plant floor and in the shop (safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, and other area-specific PPE)
• Able to walk and stand for extended periods, climb stairs/ladders, and occasionally lift up to 25-50 lbs
• Must follow all PADNOS safety protocols, including lockout/tagout procedures, when working near or on equipment

Co-op Program Structure

This position follows GVSU PCE co-op requirements (gvsu.edu/pce):

• Three alternating work semesters (Co-op I, II, III), completing one full year of engineering work experience before graduation
• PADNOS and the student agree on all three rotations upfront; students may not change employers between semesters without approval
• Supervision by a degreed engineer, with progressively responsible engineering work each semester (not solely technician-level tasks)
• A supervisor site visit (virtual or in-person) with a GVSU faculty member each work semester
• An electronic final evaluation completed via Handshake each semester, with responsibilities and schedule confirmed via Handshake at the start of each rotation

How to Apply

Interested GVSU PCE Mechanical Engineering students can apply through Handshake. Questions about the co-op program or approval process can be directed to Ethan Tanis, Industry Partnerships & Work-Based Learning Manager, Padnos College of Engineering, (616) 331-6021.