Senior Mechanical Engineer

Description

Springs Window Fashions is hiring for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to focus on Product Innovation based in our Middleton, WI corporate headquarters.

This is an onsite position, remote is not an option.

Company Overview

Springs Window Fashions is a leader in the custom window treatment industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have 7,000 associates with locations in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Our custom window treatments are available under the Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho brands in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms, and showcased in large commercial buildings.

Our company has made significant investments to become a leader in product innovation.  As North America’s premier window covering company, we’re committed to creating a “Best Experience” for our consumers, channel partners and associates.  We are bringing new innovations to the market at an accelerated pace and have a variety of offerings to consumers who want to improve their home décor. 

Job Summary

Responsible for expanding core competencies by creating and developing new and innovative product designs as well as redesigning existing products & processes.

These efforts will have a direct impact on reducing labor and material costs, while improving value, reliability, and performance. Product responsibilities include Graber, Bali and other branded products and all support componentry. The associate will plan and manage product design engineering activities related to conceptualization, product design, and manufacturing process functions. 

Job Responsibilities

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 as established by NPD and product management and in accordance with Spring's 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.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• BS in Engineering with a minimum of 4 years of applicable work experience. 
• Must be flexible with job assignments, able to work independently and well with others (team environment). 
• Must be organized, methodical, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work to an established timeline. 
• Position takes direction from Engineering Manager or new Product Development Manager. Must manage multiple medium or limited scope projects. Must communicate well and properly document results of test procedures.

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