Project Engineer - Off Highway

Company Information

PACCAR is a Fortune 500 company established in 1905. PACCAR Inc is recognized as a global leader in the commercial vehicle, financial, and customer service fields with internationally recognized brands such as Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks.  PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates.  PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

Kenworth Truck Company

Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. With an excellent heritage of quality, innovation and technology, Kenworth has played an essential role in the development of trucks that are more fuel efficient, productive, and economical to operate. Today, Kenworth is leading transportation innovation with the introduction of battery-electric vehicles, exploration of fuel cell electric powertrains, and autonomous driving systems. Kenworth is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, equality and inclusivity in the workplace.

Requisition Summary

Kenworth is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join the off-highway team. On the off-highway team, you will be working on new designs, product enhancements, and warranty and cost reduction projects that add to the profitability of the organization. Kenworth design engineers focus on product development from conceptualization to implementation on the production floor. See your designs making a difference out in the world!

Job Functions / Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Participate in design and development of heavy-duty trucks within the Off-Highway/Medium Duty Group.


• Manage Plant Liaison Requests (PLRs) for the group, develop design fixes for plant issues, and facilitate completion of PLRs by the group.


• Manage new product, warranty and cost-reduction projects as well as support plant and field issue resolution in the center-frame area of the chassis.

• Utilize Creo Parametric to create optimized part and assembly models of moderate to complex designs requiring independent judgment

• Work with internal and external organizations to select and validate the designs. This will include close involvement with various suppliers.


• The position requires close work with the truck plants and includes design responsibility for frame rails, cross-members, frame-mounted components, drivelines, auxiliary transmissions, transfer cases, steering systems, axles and suspensions.

• Manage implementation of product changes by tracking project schedule, budget, and functional requirements throughout the entire life of the project


• Manage multiple priorities and goals simultaneously

• Up to 10% travel.

Qualifications & Skills: 

• BSME required; Master's degree in business or engineering and P.E/F.E. certificate preferred.


• 5-7+ years of experience in the specification and design of complex automotive components required; proficient in use of Creo or other solid modeling software.


• Subject matter expertise in at least one or more of the following areas with experience in multiple areas; 
  
  
  
  
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    • Frame Rails, Chassis Design and Component Layouts, Crossmembers, AFDT for Legacy 1.9m and 2.1m Chassis
    
    
    • Complex Driveline Layouts with FDA and multiple Transmissions Components.
    
    
    • Powertrain and Cooling Systems.
    
    
    • Exhaust and Aftertreatment Systems.
    
    
    • Steering, Twins Steers, and Front Drive Axles.
    
    
    • Heavy Rear Axle Configurations and Suspensions with Subframes.
    
    
    • High Capacity Wheels and Tires.
    
    
    • Heavy Fifth Wheels.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Experience working onsite at a Kenworth plant preferred.


• Six Sigma and GD&T experience preferred.


• Competence in the use of personal computer software such as word processing, database, and spreadsheets.


• Experience with project management methods and Tollgate System.


• Candidate should be willing to make use of engineering processes and techniques and be resourceful in solving complex technical problems.


• Ability to work independently as a design expert in multiple areas of Off Highway design.


• Ability to manage costs, time and resources; strong communication skills.


• Ability to perform in a lean, fast-paced, results-oriented environment, while managing multiple priorities is a must.

Why work for PACCAR/Kenworth?

• Global Fortune 500 Company with a wide array of growth and development opportunities


• Work alongside experienced goal-oriented colleagues recognized as experts in their fields


• Support and/or design the commercial vehicles of the future with a focus on emerging technologies such as electric and autonomous trucks

As a U.S. PACCAR employee, you have a full range of benefit options including: 

• 401k with up to a 5% company match 


• Fully funded pension plan that provides monthly benefits after retirement 


• Comprehensive paid time off – minimum of 10 paid vacation days (additional days are provided with additional seniority/years of service), 12 paid holidays, and sick time 


• Tuition reimbursement for continued education 


• Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family 


• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) 


• Paid short-and long-term disability programs 


• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance 


• EAP services include wellness plans, estate planning, financial counseling and more 

Additional Job Board Information

PACCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability and E-Verify Employer. At PACCAR, we value talent and promote growth and development. We carefully consider numerous compensation factors including your education, training, or experience. The salary range for the Project Engineer - Off Highway is $104,100 – $162,900 annually. Additionally, this role is eligible for the full range of benefit options listed above.

PACCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability and E-Verify Employer.