Product Design Engineer ll

Our client, a leading FIREARMS ACCESSORIES manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Product Design Engineer to join their team in their Denver metropolitan area offices.

*Relocation assistance is available.

DESIGN ENGINEER II

Job Description:

The Design Engineer II carries a proven track record of consumer product or related design experience, exceptional attention to detail, and an appreciation for all things mechanical. The Design Engineer II is proficient in learning new concepts while working in a highly dynamic environment; able to seamlessly work across boundaries and interact with management, factory personnel, other engineers, suppliers, and customers. Assigned projects require a fundamental understanding of the polymeric, ferrous, and non-ferrous material selection and usage, complex mechanism design, kinematic analysis, and strength of materials considerations. A comprehensive understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, product development, and collaboration skills are must-haves.

Activities and deliverables for this position include but are not limited to testing preliminary prototypes to validate initial engineering concepts, design revisions to tooled components, working with Industrial Designers to ensure functional viability, conceptualizing product designs based on product definition worksheets, identification, and resolution of engineering problems around specific product design needs, and creation of technical documentation to communicate design intent. The Design Engineer II researches and understands the market/business need for their projects and makes value-add decisions to ensure program success.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with design and project teams to advise on core engineering aspects during the development of new products
• Support Project Engineering in validating product concept functionality, ensuring manufacturability and ease of production, and maintaining cost target viability
• Review and analyze product/engineering designs for accuracy, functionality, and durability
• Review technical documentation for clarity and completeness
• Assist in the creation and refinement of new product design concepts, provide recommendations to optimize designs, and evaluate concepts against product specifications
• Participate in design critiques and interpret feedback into useful design changes
• Work closely with the Data Management group to create the project’s technical data package (TDP), including establishing Bills of Material (BOM) and critical design component tolerances
• Develop and conduct lab experiments to validate designs and interpret results into useful design feedback
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering to facilitate the transition of new products from design into manufacturing
• Interface with Tooling Engineering to evaluate part designs and apply feedback
• Advise on production assembly tooling, fixtures, and methods
• Evaluate and qualify prototypes, first-article samples, new suppliers, and manufacturing processes
• Execute design changes against Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)
• Help guide ideation, research and development, and other blue-sky initiatives in the product design group
• Assist less-experienced engineers and designers in understanding the brand’s creative, performance, and design principles, and modeling best practices
• Assist project team stakeholders in the planning, scheduling, and tracking of project milestones and deliverables

Additional Responsibilities:

• Develop and enforce departmental foundations, internal policies, design and manufacturing best practices, procedures, goals, and objectives
• Identify and resolve design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) considerations
• Identify, create, and lead continuous improvement initiatives of the design and testing processes
• Must be able to sit at a desk for long periods while working on a computer
• Travel up to 10%; both international and domestic
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• S / MS in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college
• 5+years’ experience in applied Design Engineering; previous design experience of polymer-based consumer products is essential
• Proficient in 3-Dimensional CAD / parametric modeling (Solidworks 2019 or later; including advanced surfacing, multi-body modeling, complex assembly and mechanism layout and construction)
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis software (FEA, CAE, etc.; SolidWorks and / or COSMOS preferable)
• Fluent in reading, interpreting, and correcting mechanical drawings including Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and related engineering specifications
• 5 or more years’ experience with design of injection molded components and features: draft, splits, ribs, texture considerations, etc.
• 3 or more years’ experience utilizing multiple manufacturing processes (plastic injection molding, machining, metal forming / stamping, casting)
• 3 or more years’ experience in mechanism and mechanical system design, strong kinematic proficiency, and exceptional mechanical aptitude required

Job Knowledge, Special Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with relevant analytical software packages desirable (Moldflow, Cimatron, Adams Dynamic Simulation, CETOL, etc.)
• Intermediate experience with reverse engineering tools and methods
• Familiarity with Process Improvement tools and practices (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Workshop & prototyping skills including use of conventional shop / basic hand and power tools; fabrication abilities helpful (manual lathe and milling machine setup and operation; welding knowledge)
• Experience with 3D Printing technologies (part setup, operation, troubleshooting)
• Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, etc. (intermediate proficiency)
• Excellent written and verbal communications and problem-solving skills

Additional:

• This position reports to the Product Design Manager.
• Competitive pay rate commensurate to experience.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance as well as voluntary short-term disability and accident insurance. Additionally we offer a 401(k) Plan.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States for any employer. The applicant must be authorized to receive Technical Data and/or Technology under U.S. export control laws. Any offer made is contingent on the applicant passing a background check that will include a restricted party screening and, for prospective employees who are Foreign Persons, on the Company obtaining all necessary export licenses. In addition the applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
• We are an equal opportunity employer. Veterans / Disabilities.