Position: Fleet Mechanical EngineerLocation: Hybrid/Flexible - Prineville, OR office, R-2 shops and project sites; candidate does not need to reside in PrinevilleWage Range: $70,000 to $150,000 DOETravel: Required to project sites and R-2 shop locationsR-2 Contractors is seeking a hands-on Fleet Mechanical Engineer to support the continued development, reliability, efficiency, and lifecycle performance of our construction fleet. This position is intended for a teamwork-minded engineer who can work cross-departmentally with Fleet, Operations, Estimating, Project Management, and upper management/leadership. The role may offer part-time remote flexibility, but meaningful time in the shops and on active jobsites is an essential part of the position.
Responsibilities:Equipment Design & Modification- Identify opportunities to modify equipment to improve productivity, safety, reliability, or serviceability.
- Design custom equipment components, attachments, guards, brackets, platforms, storage systems, hydraulic systems, and other modifications.
- Develop solutions for recurring field problems where an off-the-shelf solution is unavailable or inadequate.
- Produce CAD models, drawings, and specifications suitable for fabrication.
- Determine materials, dimensions, tolerances, fasteners, and fabrication methods.
- Coordinate prototype fabrication with internal mechanics/fabricators and outside vendors.
- Field-test prototypes and modify designs based on results.
- Document final designs so successful modifications can be replicated across the fleet.
- Evaluate structural loads, stresses, hydraulic requirements, and mechanical forces when appropriate.
- Ensure modifications do not negatively affect equipment safety, capacity, stability, warranties, or regulatory compliance.
Equipment Efficiency & Innovation- Actively identify opportunities to reduce machine cycle times, equipment idle time, material handling, and unnecessary manpower.
- Improve fueling efficiency, service access, attachment changes, hose routing/protection, guarding, lighting/camera systems, lubrication systems, equipment transportation/setup, and truck payload/body configurations.
- Develop specialty attachments, mechanic service tooling, and practical automation of repetitive equipment functions where appropriate.
- Regularly evaluate what is costing R-2 time, money, equipment life, or manpower and determine whether it can be engineered out of the operation.
Fleet Reliability- Analyze recurring equipment failures and perform root-cause failure analysis.
- Develop corrective actions that address causes rather than repeatedly repairing symptoms.
- Analyze component life, including engines, transmissions, final drives, hydraulic pumps, and undercarriage.
- Review oil analysis and condition-monitoring information and identify premature component failures.
- Work with OEMs and dealers on technical issues.
- Develop equipment-specific maintenance strategies and evaluate preventive and predictive maintenance intervals.
- Track implemented engineering solutions to determine whether failures are eliminated or reduced.
Equipment Lifecycle & Replacement- Assist management with repair-versus-replace decisions, equipment specifications, new equipment purchases, attachment selection, standardization, fleet sizing, equipment disposal, and lifecycle-cost analysis.
- Evaluate equipment based on total lifecycle cost and production-not simply purchase price.
New Equipment Specifications- Work with field operations, mechanics, and management to develop equipment specifications based on actual operating conditions.
- Evaluate machine configuration, engine/power requirements, hydraulics, attachments, tires/tracks, undercarriage, guarding, lighting, cameras, telematics, lubrication systems, serviceability, operator features, and safety systems.
- Help ensure new equipment fits R-2's actual field applications rather than only meeting specifications on paper.
Shop & Field Engineering Support- Work directly with mechanics to troubleshoot difficult failures and unusual repairs.
- Interview operators and observe equipment performing actual production work.
- Measure and document operating conditions and successful solutions.
- Help mechanics develop specialty tooling and repair procedures.
- Assist with complex hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical problems.
- Maintain a hands-on presence in R-2 shops and on active construction jobsites; this is not intended to be a desk-only engineering position.
Equipment Scope:- Earthmoving: Excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, motor graders, scrapers, compactors, articulated trucks, and skid steers/CTLs.
- Vocational Trucks: Dump trucks, water trucks, lowboys, service trucks, lube trucks, and other Class 7/8 equipment.
- Light Fleet: Pickups, service pickups, and light-duty support vehicles.
- Support Equipment: Generators, compressors, pumps, light plants, trailers, attachments, and specialty construction equipment.
Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to understand mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.
- CAD design experience and ability to develop fabrication drawings.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to independently investigate mechanical failures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with mechanics, operators, superintendents, project teams, and management.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate cross-departmentally with Fleet, Operations, Estimating, Project Management, and leadership.
- Willingness to work in shops and active construction environments and travel to R-2 jobsites and shop locations.
- Ability to manage projects from concept through implementation.
- Must be a team player, organized, self-driven, and capable of balancing field needs with engineering discipline.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- Able to pass pre-employment drug screen, background check, and a driving record check acceptable to the company's insurance carrier.
Desired / Preferred Experience:- 2-7+ years of heavy-equipment, construction, mining, trucking, agriculture, manufacturing, or OEM/dealer experience.
- Heavy-equipment hydraulic experience and diesel engine/powertrain knowledge.
- Welding and fabrication knowledge.
- SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, or similar CAD experience.
- FEA or mechanical stress-analysis experience.
- J1939/CAN-bus familiarity and heavy-equipment telematics experience.
- Reliability engineering/root-cause analysis experience.
- Oil-analysis/condition-monitoring and fleet-management software experience.
- Experience developing prototypes or modifying existing machinery.
- Demonstrated ability to develop creative mechanical solutions. Candidates should be prepared to discuss equipment, tooling, systems, prototypes, or modifications they have personally designed and implemented.
Benefits:- Paid Time Off (PTO) / Sick Leave
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- 5-Year Employment Appreciation Bonus
Work Schedule:- Schedule will vary based on business, shop, and project needs. Part-time remote work may be possible; regular travel and hands-on time at R-2 shops and project sites are required.
Ready to Join Our Team?If you're ready to bring your mechanical engineering expertise, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving skills to a growing heavy civil construction company, apply today and help R-2 engineer better solutions for the field.
