Sr. Project Engineer - Product Development --- HYBRID --- DIRECT HIRE/PERMANENT!

Manpower Engineering is exclusively partnering with an industry leading, very well-established and growing company in Pewaukee, WI on a hybrid, highly visible, and direct hire/permanent Sr. Project Engineer – Product Development position. This opportunity offers very strong growth potential as my client is succession planning and looking for someone that would like to be their next Engineering Manager when the current person retires.

The company has enjoyed 79 years of continued success, is financially sound and positioned for continued growth, and has a great reputation. For 70+ years, they’ve been the preferred partner from clients in their industry to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). They bring your vision to life! Our client’s vast capabilities support the manufacturing of miniatures, small parts, large parts, and multiple component assemblies. When paired with their supplemental in-house design engineering, custom tooling building and design, 3D printing and prototyping, plus the company’s finishing, assembly, fulfillment, warehousing & shipping services their capabilities become a turnkey solution for their clients. Our client exists to serve others. Everything they do revolves around meeting the needs of their customers and the customer’s goals. The company’s commitment to their customers sets them apart; they’re at the center of everything our client does. Simply stated, “Their Customers Success is Their Success!”. For many years, the company’s customers have trusted them to provide flexible, reliable and innovative solutions.

• Compensation Plan: Depending on qualifications/experience, this opportunity can offer up to a base salary of $115,000 plus yearly bonus.
• Full Benefits Package (including but not limited to): Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401k match, paid vacation time and holidays, etc.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Sr. Project Engineer – Product Development is responsible for leading the design, development, and industrialization of the company’s products from concept through production release. This role partners closely with Business Development, Account Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and external vendors to deliver cost-effective, manufacturable solutions that meet customer requirements, quality standards, and project timelines.

The position requires strong technical judgment, hands-on design capability, and the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision. This role reports to the Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Product Concept & Customer Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with Business Development, Account Management, and customers to define functional requirements, performance criteria, and design constraints.
  • Participate in customer meetings, including limited travel for on-site research, collaboration, and design reviews.

• Design & Development:
  • Develop SolidWorks 3D models, detailed drawings, and supporting documentation required for sourcing, tooling, and manufacturing.
  • Translate conceptual designs into manufacturable solutions with consideration for materials, tooling, assembly, and cost targets.
  • Support internal and external design reviews by preparing technical summaries and recommendations.

• Costing & Supply Chain Support:
  • Partner with Estimating and Sales to establish product cost targets and support margin objectives.
  • Assist in identifying and qualifying materials, tooling approaches, suppliers, and external manufacturing resources.

• Engineering Analysis & Validation:
  • Perform or oversee product analysis using predictive simulation tools where appropriate.
  • Develop test plans and oversee validation and compliance testing using in-house or third-party resources.
  • Document test results, identify non-conformances, and lead corrective actions through design revisions and re-validation.

• Prototyping & Pilot Builds:
  • Plan, coordinate, and evaluate engineering prototypes and pilot builds using internal resources or third-party suppliers.
  • Analyze performance, manufacturability, and cost implications, document findings and recommendations.

• Configuration & Release Management:
  • Own BOM creation and management for assigned projects; review and approve production-released BOMs for accuracy.
  • Manage documentation and engineering deliverables required for initial production release.
  • Lead engineering change activities, including ECR/ECO/ECN development, cross-functional coordination, and implementation approval.

• Production, Quality & Field Support:
  • Provide technical support during production ramp-up and product launch, including on-site support when required.
  • Support Quality and Manufacturing teams in troubleshooting production or field issues.
  • Assist Account Management with field trials, installations, and customer-driven investigations as needed.

• Documentation & Standards:
  • Provide technical input for installation manuals, compliance documentation, and SOPs.
  • Support continuous improvement of internal engineering standards and processes.
  • Quality and production support: Provide technical assistance to production and quality personnel to assist in the successful launch of products in-house or at 3rd party sites. On-site monitoring for in-house and 3rd party sites to ensure compliance.
  • Ongoing account support: provide technical assistance for adaptation of existing or modified products for new customer applications or requirements.
  • Assist account management with field trial installations or research investigations when necessary.
  • Provides technical information for the development of documentation for installation and compliance. (i.e., Installation manuals or installation sheets).
  • Support company Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Qualifications:

• Required:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience.
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks and standard engineering documentation practices.
  • Experience with product development.
  • Experience in a fabrication environment (plastic or metal).
  • Hands-on building experience.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and priorities.
  • High attention to detail with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating cross-functionally.

• Preferred:
  • Experience with POP displays, fixtures, or consumer product manufacturing.
  • Experience designing injection-molded components and assemblies.
  • Experience with high-volume manufacturing and supplier-based production models.
  • Familiarity with cost-driven design and value engineering.
  • Experience supporting overseas suppliers or tooling partners.

• Travel: Occasional travel (<5%)