Product Development Engineer II

Join us at Kreg Tool!

Kreg Tool manufactures a wide variety of tools, accessories, and equipment for woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers. As an employee-owned company, we strive to provide our team members opportunities for personal growth and success and are committed to serving our surrounding communities. Guided by a unique purpose and values, Kreg is dedicated to providing high-quality products to our customers by working together in a motivated, team-based environment.


Headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa (just off I-35 north of Des Moines), we create products that are available throughout North America in the nation's major home improvement stores, such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menards. Kreg emphasizes the importance of a healthy work-life integration through its flexible schedule and competitive benefits package. Besides medical, vision, and dental benefits, we also offer a "dress for your day" dress code, onsite fitness center, annual bonus opportunity, and volunteer time off, as well as paid parental leave, and wellness reimbursement. Each employee is a valuable member of the Kreg Team, and we are always looking for our next employee-owner to begin building their career with Kreg.


Product Development Engineer II

The Product Development Engineer II is responsible for the creation and advancement of Kreg Tool products all the way from initial concept to final production. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Project Management, Quality, Supply Chain, as well as internal and external suppliers. This person's attention to detail, design expertise, and proactive problem-solving skills drive success within our product development objectives.


So, What's the Gig?

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate innovative concepts, design drawings, prototypes, and material specifications, ensuring a comprehensive foundation for projects.
• Designs and develops consumer hand and power tools inside a cross-functional Product team.
• Utilizes experience and expertise to influence concept and ideation exercises to help generate new product solutions and ideas.
• Assists in the development of product and project goals and translates them into specifications and test plans to verify the function, quality, and safety of a project.
• Collaborate with the Industrial Design team to ensure that products align with desired aesthetics, while considering cost-effectiveness and manufacturability.
• Lead design reviews for products, incorporating feedback and recommendations to enhance product quality. May also participate in design reviews led by fellow engineers.
• Creates, reviews, and gains approval of engineering documentation. Adheres to drawing standards and engineering change control processes to provide a high quality of work.
• Investigate and implement product safety measures and compliance requirements. Obtain necessary product certifications to meet regulatory standards.
• Provide invaluable assistance during manufacturing trials and approvals, ensuring the seamless transition from design to production.
• Collaborate with both domestic and international vendors, addressing design challenges and providing support during manufacturing trials.
• Provides ongoing manufacturing support (Ready to Serve) as needed.
• Work alongside Project Managers to establish and update project timelines, ensuring seamless coordination and execution.
• Provide regular status updates, outlining upcoming Product Engineering deliverables and deadlines. Effectively communicate risks and obstacles, contributing to the formulation of corrective action plans when required.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent education.
• 3+ years' experience in Product Development or Design.
• Experience in consumer product design.
• Interest or experience in woodworking.

Other Skills and Abilities We're Looking For:

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Can effectively work in a cross-functional group towards a goal.
• Proficient in 3-dimensional modeling software (SolidWorks preferred), including component and assembly design. Experience in surface modeling preferred.
• Experience in design for manufacture in various materials and processes, including extruded components, metal machining, sheet metal, and castings. Experience in designing parts for plastic injection molding strongly desired.
• Proficient in identifying critical dimensions, applying proper tolerancing, and performing tolerance stack ups. Ability to translate this knowledge into a clearly communicated part print. Knowledge of GD&T dimensioning preferred.
• A commitment to safety in both personal actions and thoughtfulness through design. Evaluates and makes design decisions with the safety of the end user in mind.
• Proficient in performing Design Failure Modes Effects Analysis (DFMEA) on products, and mitigating risks through testing and product design updates.
• Experienced in engineering decision making, and evaluating how decisions impact cost, timeline, and the quality of the final product.
• Experience in the innovation process of brainstorming, refining, and iterating on concept ideas. Can collaborate with the product development team to create product ideas from basic customer needs and refine into a production-worthy product.
• Experience with various prototyping processes. Assesses the level of detail needed as the product design evolves.