Design Engineer

Apogee Architectural Metals

Position Summary

This position is responsible for guiding the technical scope of new product development projects from inception to introduction. Product development engineers optimize product design with a special focus on ease of manufacturing and application. This role is involved with architectural design and estimating support, product selection, digital testing, physical testing and engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Product Design & Technical Development

• Design and develop new products and associated materials, training, assessments, and updates.
• Generate and evaluate new product ideas.
• Design, revise, and approve aluminum and plastic extrusions developed for new products.
• Work with designers in preparation of die drawings, submission, and/or production drawings.
• Ensure compliance to die design standards and extrusion design compatibility with the entire engineered system.
• Minimize costs while meeting design criteria.
• Understand fenestration performance, including heat transfer, fluid mechanics, acoustics, and structural integrity.

Project Management & Process Compliance

• Define, communicate, and enforce technical scope on new product development projects.
• Plan and specify design criteria and lead a cross-functional team.
• Understand and update Stage Gate processes and documents for NPI development.
• Assist in documenting testing based on Air, Water, Structural, and Thermal needs.
• Troubleshoot and participate in the correction of product-related problems in manufacturing, labs, or job sites.
• Assist in the Fabrication, assembly, installation and glazing of fenestration mockups.
• Assist in testing of mockups, diagnose and remediate after testing failures.
• Attend training seminars, sales conventions, and visit suppliers as required.

Technical Sales & Stakeholder Support

• Support technical sales efforts and assist customers in obtaining pre-order approval of technical qualifications.
• Provide technical support to other departments (calculations, product selection, specification review).
• Communicate with vendors regarding technical limitations and capabilities of component parts and systems.
• Communicate with extruders and suppliers and participate in review meetings.
• Provide support for mockup fabrication, installation and testing.
• Participate in design reviews for new product ideas.

Experience & Skills

Education: Bachelor's Degree in design related field (Engineering or Architectural). P.E. license preferred but not required.

Experience: Applicable experience in R&D and Stage Gate approaches in school or as intern /co-op.


Required Skills:

• Read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals and other industry materials.
• Write reports, business correspondence and procedural manuals.
• Present information and answer questions from other managers, customers and the general public.
• Apply advanced mathematical concepts, such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations and permutations.
• Apply mathematical operations to tasks, such as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form, and accommodate several abstract and concrete variables.
• Proficient in the following software:

• AutoCAD (2D and 3D), CTO PRO, THERM, WINDOW and CMAST modeling software,
• Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Speed and efficiency in 2D AutoCAD is critical.
• 3D modeling a plus
• IOT and Mechantronics experience a plus
• Computer programming experience a plus
• ERP Systems

Work Environment

Mostly an office environment with occasional visits to the manufacturing floor. The noise levels in the work environment are usually moderate. Available for moderate amount of travel.

Physical Requirements

Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend and move about the facility. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Our Benefits

We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.