Senior Mechanical Engineer – Product Development / Innovation (On-site Madison, WI)

W2 only, no C2C, must be authorized to work in the US (both now and in the future).

We're looking for a passionate Senior Mechanical Engineer to join a leading manufacturer in residential and consumer durables as an important part of the engineering and product design team:

What You'll Do:

The New Product Innovation team is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to help drive innovation in both existing and new product designs involving Mechanical and Electrical systems, including motorization and automation (IoT). The role includes:

Concept Development (30%)

• Technical leader in the development of electro-mechanical solutions with various structural, cosmetic, and innovative mechanism-related challenges.
• Work closely with management in meeting departmental and business goals. Provide insight in planning the technical direction for projects/products, the department, and the business.
• Lead the design, development and product validation efforts associated with new product design and/or modifications to existing products.
• Involved in translating consumer, customer and market needs into product requirements using process (QFD) and product requirements into design specifications.
• Develops working prototypes of multiple concepts, which can be used for functional evaluation.
• Involved in reducing concept to commercially viable product.
• Creates mechanical drawings and 3-D models using drafting software.
• Investigates concept patentability and infringement issues related to concepts to assess legal liability protect intellectual property.
  
  
  

Design Development (50%)

• Coordinates and prioritizes design and product engineering activities and product management and in accordance with business strategies and goals.
• Designs products and components with safety, durability, reliability, value, and assembly as priorities.
• Provide key technical insight in problem-solving and performing root-cause analysis.
• Establish design specifications, material selection, and potential suppliers with regards to product design.
• Estimates project and product costs, assists with project justification, and recommends required materials and tooling.
• Facilitates design reviews to discuss concepts and proposed product designs, engaging other functional areas of the business, to gain input regarding product manufacturability and incorporating those inputs into final design.
• Prepares and issues required reports, summaries, and presentations related to engineering activities.
• Interface with purchasing and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues.
  
  
  

Administrative (20%)

• Collaborate with New Product Development and Marketing teams to introduce and develop new product concepts and existing product enhancements.
• Support efforts to maintain and follow the New Product Development (stage gate) process.
• Reviews related patents and assesses potential patent risks.
• Engaged in continuous improvement initiatives, recognizing process improvement methods to identify root cause, develop solutions, and implement solutions.
• Maintain and organize lab area following 5S principles.
• Represent the company in industrial organizations.
  
  
  

What You'll Bring:

Education and Experience

• BS in Engineering with a minimum of 4 years of applicable work experience.
• Flexibility and adaptability with job assignments and ability to work independently as well as collaborate closely with other team members.
• Ability to take direction from the Engineering Manager or New Product Development Manager with the ability to manage multiple medium or limited scope projects. Excellent communication skills and ability to properly document results of test procedures is needed as well.
  
  
  

Preference given to candidates with

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Design
• 5 years design engineering experience in consumer products related industry
• Relevant experience with new product development and product design role
• Familiarity with the design of injection molded plastic parts, die cast and die stamped metal parts, aluminum extrusions, and molded wood products
  
  
  

Do you have a BS in Mechanical, Industrial or similar Engineering and hands-on Product Design expertise in a high volume consumer products or related industry? This Senior Mechanical Engineer role could be the perfect next step in your career path!