What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Engineer position at Wanzl North America?
Position Overview
The Product Development Engineer I is a vital member of our R&D team, tasked with supporting both New Product Development (NPD) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) projects. This role focuses on the design, development, and optimization of products within the Retail, Digital, Access, Shop, and Material Handling sectors. We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative individual who is ready to embrace technical leadership and contribute to every stage of the product development lifecycle, from initial concept to production and market launch. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and product management, to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet and exceed customer expectations.
Company And Opportunity Overview
Wanzl North America’s vision is to be the leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions. WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from the online purchase to the delivery to their customers.
WNA, which includes the Technibilt, French Company, and Cari-All brands, is headquartered in Denver, North Carolina. With nearly 500 employees and 160 MUSD of sales, WNA focuses on the retail, distribution, and airport market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and most large grocers and retailers. In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three (3) additional main product segments as well as a service business, providing turnkey solutions for asset protection and point-of-sale, as well as materials handling.
WNA is part of the Wanzl GmbH & Holding KGaA, headquartered in Germany and has 12 plants in 8 countries and more than a dozen sales and distribution centers worldwide, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360° service.
Duties And Responsibilities
The Product Development Engineer I is a vital member of our R&D team, tasked with supporting both New Product Development (NPD) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) projects. This role focuses on the design, development, and optimization of products within the Retail, Digital, Access, Shop, and Material Handling sectors. We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative individual who is ready to embrace technical leadership and contribute to every stage of the product development lifecycle, from initial concept to production and market launch. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and product management, to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet and exceed customer expectations.
Company And Opportunity Overview
Wanzl North America’s vision is to be the leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions. WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from the online purchase to the delivery to their customers.
WNA, which includes the Technibilt, French Company, and Cari-All brands, is headquartered in Denver, North Carolina. With nearly 500 employees and 160 MUSD of sales, WNA focuses on the retail, distribution, and airport market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and most large grocers and retailers. In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three (3) additional main product segments as well as a service business, providing turnkey solutions for asset protection and point-of-sale, as well as materials handling.
WNA is part of the Wanzl GmbH & Holding KGaA, headquartered in Germany and has 12 plants in 8 countries and more than a dozen sales and distribution centers worldwide, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360° service.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Develops 3D models, 2D drawings, BOMs.
- Ensure the reliability and functionality of products by carefully selecting parts, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Validate concepts through thorough analysis and testing, including the design of specialized test fixtures and instrumentation as needed.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to meet project objectives efficiently.
- Participate in value analysis, cost analysis, and quality improvement efforts
- Rapid development and iteration of full-scale prototypes to validate requirements
- Evaluate new technologies and perform competitive product analysis
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- 0-2 years of experience in product development (internships or co-op experience considered).
- Proficiency in CAD software (Solidworks preferred) and strong skills in creating detailed engineering documentation.
- Experience with data analysis, DOE, and statistical analysis tools.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and quality control principles.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities.
- A proactive approach to project management and a commitment to meeting deadlines.
- 20% travel required
