Custom Equipment Development Technician

Custom Equipment Development Technician

Dakota City, Nebraska Full-Time | Manufacturing | Product Development

Love building one-of-a-kind machines?

Broyhill and Brown Bear Equipment are looking for a hands-on mechanical problem solver to help develop, build, test, and improve custom compost-turning tractors and other specialty equipment. You'll work alongside experienced fabricators, mechanics, and our CAD engineering team to determine how each machine should be built, turning customer requirements into reliable, high-quality equipment. Every project is different, giving you the opportunity to solve real mechanical challenges from prototype through production. This is a hands-on product development role—not a desk-based CAD position. An engineering degree isn't required.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and troubleshoot custom equipment, working hands-on to solve fit, routing, assembly, performance, and manufacturing challenges throughout the build process.
• Collaborate with the CAD team to refine designs, communicate shop-floor improvements, and ensure drawings and Bills of Materials accurately reflect production.
• Research, evaluate, and select mechanical and hydraulic components while improving designs and helping transition successful prototypes into production.

Relevant Experience

Experience building, repairing, modifying, or troubleshooting any of the following is highly relevant:

• Heavy equipment
• Agricultural equipment
• Diesel-powered machinery
• Hydraulic systems
• Industrial machinery
• Custom or prototype equipment
• Specialty vehicles or motorsports equipment

Don't worry if your exact background isn't listed. If you've spent your career building, modifying, repairing, or troubleshooting complex mechanical equipment, we'd encourage you to apply. Hands-on experience, mechanical judgment, and the ability to understand complete machines are important.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• You have hands-on experience building, repairing, modifying, or troubleshooting complex equipment or machinery.
• You understand how mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and cooling systems work together in a complete machine.
• You can read mechanical drawings and communicate effectively with CAD designers, suppliers, and shop personnel.
• You enjoy collaborating with shop personnel, CAD designers, and suppliers to solve problems and improve designs.
• You enjoy researching components, comparing options, and finding practical mechanical solutions.
• You have strong mechanical judgment and enjoy solving problems that don't have obvious answers.
• You would rather spend your day building and improving equipment than sitting behind a computer.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Wellness plan
• Access to dental, vision, life, and disability insurance

If you're passionate about building custom equipment, solving mechanical challenges, and seeing your ideas become real machines, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help us build the next generation of specialty equipment at our Dakota City, NE location.