Design Engineer I

Company Overview

VT Industries, Inc., is North America’s leading manufacturer of architectural wood doors for commercial and residential applications, the largest post-form laminate countertop manufacturer in the United States, as well as a leading source for butcher block countertops and other architectural wood products.  VT is a family-owned company that offers a dynamic work environment and continues to invest in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and processes, as well as growth and development opportunities for its team members. The company’s three divisions serve customers from fifteen manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Position Description

The Design Engineer I will be a resource for R&D, testing, and design processes/projects. This role will design, test, and develop product and product components following company and industry standards. The Design Engineer I will also develop non-routine test and evaluation procedures and assist in supervision of laboratory activities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support and recommend R&D efforts, along with creating prototype builds
• Create and lead R&D builds
• Develop and review test criteria, procedures, sequence, etc. with design engineering
• Conduct or provide instruction in the conducting of tests
• Support supplier quality improvement actions and ensure effective implementation of engineering and quality objectives
• Help reduce warranty claims through product design enhancements
• Support and recommend internal/external tests and testing methods
• Create documentation related to materials and product development, maintain in an organized library
• Conduct materials research
• Independently troubleshoot and analyze system problems using complex computer modeling and simulations
• Improve processes and eliminate waste in key constraint areas
• Create and maintain standard work instructions, SOPs, 5S checklists, and standard work audits
• Create detailed test reports and maintain test schedule and report filing systems
• Drive measurable continuous improvement
• Determine potential savings and calculate ROI for projects
• Understand and apply ergonomic requirements to eliminate work hazards and improve work safety
• Provide input to systems that track cost and monitor progress
• Develop and support methods to collect suggestions and feedback for continuous improvement for all areas of the company
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field required
• 0-4 years of related experience in design engineering, preferably in a manufacturing environment
• Financial understanding of cost structure and bills of material costs
• Design process knowledge (Phase/Gate)
• Possess excellent communication skills in verbal and written forms, comfortable in front of groups
• Knowledge of product design and manufacturing processes
• Familiar with engineering software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.)
• Problem solving knowhow
• Servant Leader: Dedicated to personnel growth
• Willing to travel approximately 25% of the time
• All team members are expected to follow the Code of Conduct to the highest standards as well as to adhere to the Attendance Policy of VT Industries

Physical Requirements

Tolerance for sitting long periods of time.  Possess finger dexterity to write, type, and use a calculator.  Maintain adequate vision to view small print and computer terminal.  Ability to speak and hear, walk throughout facilities with occasional moderate lifting (50 pounds), stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching with hands and arms required.  Ability to travel between multiple facilities as required to perform core job duties. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Ability to climb up or down ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. Ability to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.