POSITION / TITLE: Product Engineer
For a leading manufacturer of suspension systems for heavy-duty vehicles, including applications such as emergency and utility vehicles.
Position Purpose:
To lead overall suspension system design and development. This role is responsible for validating designs, managing design analysis projects, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Functions:
- Manage all technical aspects of major product design and development projects, and/or multiple smaller products, utilizing our standard Product Planning and Development Procedure.
- Design, validate, and provide test reports and sign-off documents to ensure production readiness. Design for manufacturing.
- Coordinate with CAD, FEA, and laboratory personnel, and interface effectively with other internal departments.
- Coordinate the technical design and test aspects of projects with suppliers and customers.
- Drive continuous improvement through employee development, process improvement, and the elimination of waste. Ensure safety in the lab and office environments. Manage value-added and value-engineered projects.
- Work with the product portfolio team throughout the product development process to define project objectives.
- Interface with the end-user for technical support calls and develop action plans as required.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Maintain regular attendance.
Education and Training
- Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Aeronautical, or a related engineering field is required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Four to six years of experience in vehicle structural design (heavy or medium-duty truck experience is highly preferred) with exposure to dynamic structural analysis, finite element analysis, fatigue analysis, and product design.
- Demonstrated ability to manage development projects and meet deadlines.
- Proven experience and skill in product innovation.
- Some controls experience is a plus.
- Exposure to or training in vehicle dynamics, vibration, or controls is desirable.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to lead a cross-functional launch effort.
- Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Working knowledge of Computer-Aided Design and Analysis tools.
- Experience with GD&T and IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 is preferred.
- Occasional travel is required.
Physical Demands
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position or move about frequently.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
- Minimal need to move about inside the office and plant areas.
- Occasional fine motor skills are needed for tasks like typing, filing, and writing.
Environmental Conditions
- Primary work is in an office environment.
- Minimal exposure to loud noises in plant areas.
Behavioral Traits
- Innovative, receptive to feedback, and cooperative.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Skilled in facilitating groups.
- Experience in managing programs or projects.
- Strong self-management skills.
- A consistent safety focus.
- A committed team player.
