Mechanical Design Engineer

Summary

Working as part of a new product team, this position is responsible for the development and improvement of conventional finishing and fluid handling equipment as well as development for Fast Set Foam products for the Transportation, Industrial, Wood, and Protective Coatings markets.

Primary Responsibilities

Under general supervision:

• Design, development, testing, and release of new or improved products, using product design specifications per departmental and company processes and procedures.
• Draft engineering projects, SOR’s, schedules, work plans, and technical service manuals.
• Manage stage gate reviews, design reviews, and project schedules for each phase of the design process, including supervision of the project team when assigned.
• Work with other engineers to determine alternative materials and manufacturing processes for either new products or existing product cost reduction.
• Develop product testing methods and perform product testing activities to evaluate performance characteristics of the product.  Manage initial cost estimates, procurement of prototypes, and alpha test programs in the lab.   Assist product managers with beta testing in the field at customer sites.
• Assist in initial product start-up at the manufacturing facility.  Participate in the initial product builds and, when required, evaluate new vendors and investigate start up quality issues.
• Work with marketing in the successful introduction of new and improved products into the marketplace by providing technical support and training to customers, service engineers, and internal personnel
• Mentor and guide less experienced members of the product development team as needed
• Provide ongoing trouble-shooting and quality problem assistance to the manufacturing operations as needed.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the company’s ISO quality standards to be in compliance with ISO Registration.
• Comply with company policies, ISO quality standards and relevant employment and safety laws.
• Occasionally travel to customer sites and other locations as needed, and as assigned. 
• Perform other related responsibilities as needed and as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• BSME / BSMET degree minimum   (An equivalent combination of “on the job” experience and education will be considered if combined with exceptional 3D CAD skills)  
• Understanding of Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Three to five years product development and/or design experience in the area of electro-mechanical devices, manufacturing, or application engineering
• Must have computer proficiency, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Project 
• Proven competence in 3D CAD required (SolidWorks preferred)
• Ability to apply fluid mechanics knowledge, materials science, electrostatic physics, manufacturing processes, electro-mechanical interactions, and process control interfaces in solving technical problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Open to occasional travel, both domestic and international
• Must have electro-mechanical “hands on” aptitude (wiring, hydraulics, mechanics, etc.) and be able to use hand tools and lab instruments such as data acquisition, oscilloscopes, meters.
• Ability to build relationships with end users and effectively manage conflict.
• Fundamental understanding of basic fluid dynamics is helpful.