Mechanical and Product Design Engineer

Quality Aluminum Products

Job Description

Title: Mechanical and Product Design Engineer

Location: Hastings, MI (hybrid role) supporting both Hastings and Appleton, WI

Reports to: Director of Engineering and Innovation (1st 90-days to Jackie Phillips, Director of Business Development and Integration)

Role Type: Exempt

Position Summary:

An engineer with solid commercial awareness or an individual with a technical background in the Building Products or Construction Industry who will take ownership of continuous improvement and all aspects of a product's life cycle. Works closely with end users and operations to grow revenue by developing current product revisions and new products while ensuring production safety, quality, efficiency, and volume.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform full lifecycle product development (trade/customer focus, ideation, concept development, business proposal, design & development, manufacturing trials, product launch, commercialization review).
• Responsible for managing the information and documentation of product life cycle, including but not limited to ECR/ECNs, CAD files, quality control/assurance documents, specifications, technical product support documents, manufacturing work instructions, and ERP system updates.
• Lead and participate in our product development processes and interdepartmental teams.
• Perform market customer and market research to understand end-user requirements and initiate innovative product development or improvement.
• Analyze and perform assessment of designs for compliance with regulatory, code body, safety standards and standard industry practices.
• Manage/oversee design work, testing and research performed by outside agencies, companies, or universities.
• Develop and present project concepts, scope and budgets and recommend product line simplifications where possible.
• Promote new ideas by presenting to and influencing upper management and other departments.
• General design/engineering support to all departments as necessary, directly supporting Customer Service, Field Sales and end-users with product and application engineering while working with Operations to ensure viability of production.
• Evaluate final product's overall performance, reliability, and safety.
• Alter and modify designs and/or material specifications to meet functional requirements
• Collaborate with manufacturing, operations and Product Management on all aspects of product life cycle from: introduction to quality control to enhancements / improvements to product range rationalization.
• Business curiosity in problem-solving and strong product creativity/innovation .
• Ability to travel to job sites and communicate with vendors, customers and on-site personnel.
• Up to 50% Travel Domestic (primarily Upper Midwest).
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Civil or Construction Engineering or related degree with 5 years of experience in Building Products or Construction required.
• Experience in Solidworks, AutoCad or other drafting software a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Detail-oriented, organized, solid commercial awareness and eager for results.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Customer Focus

Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Integrity and Trust

Is widely trusted; is seen as direct, truthful individual, can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidence; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent himself/herself for personal gain.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. You must notify the company if such an accommodation is needed.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for most of the 8 hour shift. Must have the ability to use hands to handle, grab, lift, pull or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 35 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment 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 employee is regularly exposed to moving forklifts and pallets. The employee is occasionally exposed to hot or cold conditions. The noise level in the work environment is high and requires the use of hearing protections. We also require steel toed shoes and protective eyewear at all times in the plant.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.