Design Engineer

Job Summary: The Design Engineer will use a hands-on approach to lead the technical direction and execution of both new and existing engineering design projects from initial conception through final production. By demonstrating initiative and creativity, this position will provide expert guidance, ensuring quality and deliverables are met according to timelines, project scope and within budget. With direction from the Engineering Manager, this position will collaborate with cross functional teams and will also work directly with members of the engineering team to develop solutions that will achieve project goals.   

Essential Duties:

• Act as technical point of contact for both new product development as well as existing projects.
• Prepare and maintain project scope documents, schedules, and timelines in order to make sure projects are running on time and within budget. 
• Evaluate designs relative to material selection, form, fit, function, cost, and reliability. 
• Execute entire projects from conception to production through design, testing, evaluation, and release
• Lead engineering efforts with direction from Engineering Manager of design, drawing creation, BOM development, test plan creation, testing, manufacturing reviews and safety reviews.
• Initiate, maintain, and perform FMVSS, ECE, ABS and NFPA certification and compliance of new/existing products.
• Follow and create operating procedures per ISO requirements.
• Lead engineering projects to satisfy the project scope or customer demands utilizing support staff such as an application engineer, data control, and drafting support. 
• Partner with Operations regarding manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, troubleshooting problems, and other considerations to facilitate production processes
• Act as technical resource to sales or the customer on product specification, application, or troubleshooting
• Participate in field testing, market analysis, and market research 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work in cross functional teams and with people from various departments and at all levels of the organization to drive projects to completion
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills 
• Ability to work independently and take initiative 
• Strong analytical ability and initiative to assess and solve problems by using a data driven approach and root cause analysis skills.
• Maintain a pro-active approach to projects to drive results
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications and ERP/MRP software 

Level of Independence: This position has a high degree of autonomy and reports to the Design Engineering Manager.   

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk and hear. Must use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand, bend, stoop and reach above shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 40 pounds on occasion. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus.   

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering 
• 3 years of design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment 
• Working knowledge of ERP system requirements for Item, BOM, and Routing controls, preferred.
• Experience with new product development, current product development, and production interaction, preferred 
• Applied experience in structural design using sheet metal, tubing, welding, and mechanical assemblies, preferred  
• Experience leading cross functional engineering projects, preferred  
• Working knowledge of CAD – SolidWorks, preferred
• Hands-on experience working with and troubleshooting mechanical assemblies, preferred