SUMMARY
The Product Design Engineer is responsible for owning individual design projects while working as part of a collaborative engineering team. This role supports the development and implementation of product designs from concept through production, partnering cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, procurement, and customers to ensure project success. While engineers will be assigned independent tasks, they will have the support of a team for collaboration, feedback, and ideation. The ideal candidate has a solid foundation in mechanical design, strong problem-solving skills, and a growth mindset.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and support engineering design projects from concept through production, including planning, timeline tracking, resource coordination, and documentation management.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality, procurement, and sales—to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with customer expectations.
- Interface directly with customers to gather technical requirements, communicate design updates, and align project deliverables with performance goals and deadlines.
- Develop and maintain detailed 2D drawings, 3D models, bills of materials (BOMs), and comprehensive technical specifications using CAD software and PLM systems.
- Conduct and participate in design reviews, incorporating feedback to optimize functionality, manufacturability, and ease of assembly.
- Support prototype builds, functional testing, and design validation, including root cause analysis and corrective actions where necessary.
- Apply relevant industry standards, engineering best practices, and regulatory requirements to all phases of design work.
- Contribute to cost-reduction initiatives, design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) improvements, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Identify potential design risks and work proactively to develop and implement mitigation strategies to ensure safety, performance, and compliance.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of engineering documentation, including test plans, change requests, and technical reports.
- Participate in new product introduction (NPI) processes and support ongoing product lifecycle management (PLM).
- Provide occasional on-site support for production launches, troubleshooting, and customer installations, as needed.
- Stay current with emerging technologies, materials, and industry trends to inform design innovation.
- Perform other engineering duties as assigned in support of team and organizational goals.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or two to four years related experience and/or training; or combination of education and experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
REASONING ABILITY:
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to stand. Team members are frequently required to communicate with fellow team members and walk to various locations throughout the plant. Team members are required to sit and perform design engineering duties in an office environment. Team members may on occasion be required to climb, balance and crawl underneath machines when performing analysis of engineering applications. The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud. While working in the cutting department, team members are required to wear hearing protection. Safety glasses must also be always worn by team members.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Familiarity with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the sheet metal environment is preferred.
- Understanding of GD&T principles
- Requires using experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals.
- Performs a variety of tasks with creativity and latitude.
- Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.