Product Development Engineer

Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a Product Development Engineer in Berne, IN. This position will focus on designing and developing hydraulic rotary actuator products from concept through production while providing hands-on support on the manufacturing floor. The ideal candidate will have 3D design experience, preferably with Inventor, a working knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and the ability to move between computer-based design work and hands-on troubleshooting with machinists and engineers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently design and develop hydraulic actuator products from concept through production.
• Own product designs and manage technical aspects of customer-driven projects.
• Create 3D layouts, detail drawings, and bills of material for new and modified hydraulic rotary actuators and specialized machines/devices.
• Perform structural and performance analysis of hydraulic and pneumatic actuator designs.
• Select materials and components based on performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Create and maintain detailed drawings of standard and modified actuator components.
• Review archived blueprints and existing product documentation when developing or modifying actuator components.
• Create and maintain BOMs within the ERP system.
• Interface directly with sales, customers, and suppliers to support component quality and application performance.
• Develop R&D testing protocols for effective product evaluations.
• Create fixture designs and test setups for actuator testing.
• Perform and document tests on actuator products.
• Develop quotes for customer service and sales.
• Develop and maintain project plans with detailed timelines to meet Quality, Cost, and Delivery targets.
• Review drawings, sketches, and product specifications to determine design requirements.
• Work closely with machinists and engineering personnel to troubleshoot product and manufacturing issues.
• Spend approximately 50% of the role on the manufacturing floor troubleshooting, researching part/quality issues, and supporting production.
• Spend approximately 50% of the role in the office/computer developing designs, generating quotes, reviewing drawings, and completing engineering documentation.
• Travel to customer sites as necessary, with or without sales, to evaluate application requirements.
• Support manufacturing as needed throughout product development and production.
• Work closely with a small engineering team and hourly manufacturing personnel.
• Maintain existing actuator product lines while identifying opportunities for product improvements and modifications.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and independently plan, prioritize, and manage daily engineering tasks.
• Support R&D activities from initial product concepts through production implementation.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or another related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 4+ years of engineering experience preferred.
• Entry-level candidates with strong mechanical or farm/mechanical backgrounds may be considered.
• Hands-on experience with 3D design software; Inventor strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints and sketches.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems or products.
• Ability to work hands-on in a machine-shop/manufacturing environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot product and manufacturing issues alongside machinists and engineers.
• Strong understanding of PPAP, capability analysis, GD&T, and DFMEA.
• Experience with material evaluation and design for manufacturing.
• Experience designing fixtures and test setups.
• Ability to perform and document product testing.
• Ability to work effectively with both salaried engineering personnel and hourly manufacturing employees.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple engineering responsibilities independently.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor rather than working exclusively behind a computer.

Preferred:

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience.
• AutoCAD 2D experience.
• Machining or machine-shop background.
• Experience with hydraulic rotary actuators or fluid power products.
• Experience with electrical testing equipment and data acquisition hardware.
• Experience with BOM management within an ERP system.
• R&D experience taking products from concept through production.
• Experience communicating directly with customers regarding product requirements or design changes.
• Experience developing quotes and supporting sales/customer service.
• Experience with fixture design and product testing.
• Experience in a low-volume or custom manufacturing environment.
• Experience modifying and improving existing product lines.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting experience.

Benefits Overview:

• Up to $100K base salary.
• Benefits eligible from day one.
• 401(k) with 4% company match.
• Flexible start time, generally between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
• Hands-on training and development within a small engineering team.
• Opportunity to work directly with experienced engineers, machinists, and manufacturing personnel.
• Opportunity to develop products from concept through production.
• Long-term growth opportunity within a stable manufacturing environment.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division , where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

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