--- title: 'Design Engineer at DISHER' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/design-engineer-disher-kalamazoo-yatkr4sx0rq3' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Design Engineer at DISHER - **Company:** DISHER - **Location:** Kalamazoo, MI - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-10 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/disher/3b1d7812-8ec4-45ae-8dfd-244de842da1f ## Job description Design Engineer – Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is currently partnering with a Civil Engineering and Surveying firm that provides architects, owners, developers, and municipalities with a defined, responsive solution. Their goal is to leave a positive, permanent impact on their clients and the communities in which they work and live and create an environment where the team can build a rewarding career. What it’s like to work here: This company operates under core values of unwavering integrity, prioritizing people, deliberately detailed, complete ownership, simplicity, and continuous improvement. They strive to make the office a relaxed and welcoming environment where you can exceed professionally, give back to the community, and know your work is making a difference. What you'll get to do: - Civil engineering design of commercial, municipal, industrial, education and residential projects including studies, preliminary and final design, permitting, and construction oversight. - Serve as primary designer on projects and work closely with project manager to assist with various aspects of projects, including preparation of preliminary and final cost estimates, construction plans, contract documents, material specifications. - Meet regularly with Project Manager to discuss and resolve workload and technical issues. - Review work in progress to anticipate technical problems - Interpret statutes and regulations. - Responsible for meeting project deadlines, as defined by Project Manager. - Work collaboratively to meet project milestones. What will make you successful: - Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field. - Michigan Civil Engineering, P.E. preferred. - 5+ years of related experience is desired. - Extensive knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering and surveying. - Experience with the study, planning, and design of commercial, municipal, education, industrial, and residential projects. - Knowledge of municipal government practices and regulations. - Valid driver’s license. - AutoCAD Civil 3D experience preferred. - Strong work ethic. ## About DISHER ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: DISHER is an engineering, product development, manufacturing technology, and talent solutions firm that partners with clients to innovate and build custom solutions across diverse industries. - **Entity Type**: Private (Employee-Owned via ESOP) - **Headquarters**: Zeeland, Michigan, USA - **Founded**: 2000 - **Founders**: Jeff Disher ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Engineering Services, Product Development, Manufacturing Technology, Talent Solutions - **Target customers**: B2B, primarily mid-market to Fortune 500 companies across a wide range of industries including automotive, consumer goods, medical, and industrial equipment in the US and globally. - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Making a Positive Difference" — through integral relationships and innovative solutions with customers, coworkers, and communities. Their vision is to leave the world better than they found it. ## Products & Services - **Product Development**: Integrated design and engineering services from concept through production, covering mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. - **Manufacturing Solutions**: Services to streamline processes, boost productivity, and advance manufacturing technology, including automation and process optimization. - **Electronics Engineering**: Design and development of electronic systems and embedded solutions. - **Talent Solutions**: Staffing and consulting to place top engineering, design, and technical talent into client teams (both short-term contractors and permanent hires). - **DISHER Extended Network (DEN)**: A vetted network of freelance and contract professionals (engineers, designers, project managers) who work on a project-by-project basis for DISHER clients. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (Private, ESOP-owned company). No external funding rounds. - **Key Metric**: Core team of 130+ employees, with an extended network (DEN) of over 70 experts. Headcount has grown significantly from a one-person operation founded in 2000. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (100% employee-owned). Bi-weekly meetings review state of the business, indicating strong internal transparency on financials. - **Growth Signals**: 130+ core team members signals steady, stable growth over 20+ years. They are an award-winning firm that augments teams for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, indicating strong reputation and demand. ## Competitive Advantages - **Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)**: Every full-time core employee becomes an owner of the company, fostering a strong sense of ownership and alignment with the company’s long-term success. This is a powerful differentiator. - **Strong, Intentional Culture**: Built on 12 core culture characteristics (e.g., Unvarnished Communication, Trusting Relationships, Innovation, Stewardship) that are actively lived out through weekly team lunches, offsites, and ongoing feedback. - **Flexibility & Autonomy**: No fixed start/end times for workdays. Team members are encouraged to work where they are most productive (office, remote, or at client sites). - **High Employee Satisfaction**: 98% of teammates say DISHER is a great place to work, as per their internal Great Place to Work survey. - **Community Commitment**: 10% of profits are given back to community and nonprofit organizations. Employees get 20 paid hours of volunteer time annually. ## Strategic Focus - **Deepening Client Partnerships**: Moving beyond being "extra hands" to becoming true partners that help clients achieve their vision. - **Continuous Improvement**: Using workplace assessments (Great Place to Work, Denison Organizational Culture Survey) to refine culture and operations. - **Talent Development**: Investing heavily in their people through DISHER University, individual coaching, and personal development opportunities to maintain a high-caliber team. - **Expanding the Extended Network (DEN)**: Growing their network of vetted freelance talent to provide flexible, scalable solutions for clients. ## Why Work Here - **Culture is Core**: DISHER intentionally builds a collaborative, transparent, and supportive environment. Their 12 core characteristics guide how employees treat each other and customers. - **Flexible & Remote-Friendly**: They have no fixed daily start/end times and support working from the office in Zeeland, MI, from home, or at client locations, based on what is most productive. - **Exceptional Benefits**: - **Employee Ownership (ESOP)**: Full-time employees are immediately enrolled in an ESOP, providing a unique retirement benefit in addition to a 401k. - **Generous Time Off**: Up to 4 weeks of vacation plus 11 paid holidays. - **Parental Leave**: 2 weeks off after the birth or adoption of a child. - **Paid Impact Time**: 80 hours per year for community service, professional development, and charitable work. - **Insurance**: Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health resources. - **Team Bonding & Events**: Weekly all-team Friday lunches, two companywide offsites per year, a Christmas party, a summer picnic, and group sports sponsorships. - **Growth & Development**: Formal programs like DISHER University, educational reimbursement, individual coaching, and subject matter communities. ## Sources 1. [disher.com - Company Homepage](https://www.disher.com/) 2. [disher.com - About Us](https://www.disher.com/about/) 3. [disher.com - Careers Page](https://www.disher.com/careers/) 4. [disher.com - Our Culture Page](https://www.disher.com/our-culture/) 5. 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