Product Designer

Description

Springs Window Fashions - Hiring for a Product Designer in our Middleton Headquarters

Springs Window Fashions has been part of the window treatments industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have over 8,000 associates and 18 locations worldwide.  Our products are available in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms and showcased in large commercial buildings.  Our company is privately owned with products marketed across a broad portfolio of brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho.  We pride ourselves as “The Best Experience Company”, striving to provide the best experience for our consumers, channel partners, and associates.

Our Department

Product and Textile Engineering support both the “Grow the Business” and “Run the Business” activities. From simple changes and updates to complex development projects. These team members design, develop, and validate the components and assemblies that are sold through our Retail, Dealer, and Commercial channels.

Mission

Responsible for providing drawing and technical support to the product engineering team and manufacturing areas. This is successfully accomplished by understanding, accurately specifying, and adhering to customer requirements, utilizing and applying quality tools and methods and pursuing continuous improvement in all aspects of product and process design. These efforts will have a direct impact on reducing labor and material costs, while improving value, reliability, and performance.  

JOB DUTIES:  

• Draw and detail components using CAD software. 
• Revise and update existing drawings. 
• Properly name and locate drawings in appropriate file locations. 
• Build product samples using machine tools (lathe, mill, drill press, saw) and hand tools  
• Prepare, set up, and perform product and lab tests. 
• Maintain and organize lab area following 5S principles. 
• Document data gathered from product testing, summarize and provide to project manager. 
• Review and prepare Bills of Materials (BOM). 
• Prepare and document Specification Revisions and Engineering Change Requests (SR and ECR) as directed by Product Engineer. 
• Communicate and provide project status/updates to team lead and other associates within engineering team. 

Behavioral Competencies

• Ensures Accountability – Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Drive Engagement – Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives
• Instill Trust – Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
• Drive Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances
• Consumer/Customer Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering on customer-centric solutions
• Critical Thinking – Making Sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
• Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
• Optimize Work Processes – Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement

Requirements

Education and Experience

• 2 year associates degree in mechanical design or similar 
• 5-10 years experience working with design related software 
• 5-10 years direct experience in manufacturing environment working with primary operations (stamping, molding, forming, extrusion) and/or secondary fabrication of products 

Must be flexible with job assignments, able to work independently and well with others (team environment). Must be organized, methodical, quality minded, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work to an established timeline. Position takes direction from Lead or Senior Product Design Engineer and/or Engineering Manager. Must manage multiple small or limited scope projects, Must communicate well and properly document results of test procedures, and have knowledge of SWF 5S Program. 

Skills Needed: 

• Work with Design Engineers to translate customer needs into functional product designs while working with cross -functional teams 
• Improve existing products and component designs to achieve cost reductions and product improvements 
• Experience with CAD drawing (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) 
• Experience and knowledge of typical drafting standards 
• Develop working prototypes which can be used for functional evaluation 
• Experience with metal and wood machine tools 
• Technical writing skills for memos, lab reports, and project updates. 
• Strong general math skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide, percentages, fractions, metric conversions, algebra, and geometry) 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Good analytical and problem solving skills 
• Good communication skills (verbal, written) 
• General computer skills Excel, MS Word, Lotus Notes, MS Project and Access 

• Preparing Samples for Testing and Analysis 
• Manage work according to established project timelines. 
• Strong interest in programming (such as Python, Arduino) preferred.