Design Engineer

Design Engineer

The Design Engineer works within the framework of the Engineering Team as an expert in design concept development, bringing experienced production design perspective and excellent creative problem solving to the front end of the project development process, ensuring that every design concept is tailored to fit the precise needs of the customer as well as optimized to fit PD production capabilities.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Gathers and reviews sales process documentation, sketches, renderings, design decks, customer provided drawings, product specifications, estimates and more to fully understand customer expectations.
• Coordinates with project management personnel, sales staff, and customer representatives to further define the design intent.
• Develops creative and effective build strategy concepts that best fit all project parameters.
• Uses an array of visual communication mediums (hand sketch, SketchUp, SolidWorks, Adobe Suite, etc.) to efficiently convey design concepts while working with the customer.
• Considers a wide range of construction methods to work with wood, metal, and plastic materials to make well-informed build strategy decisions.
• Utilizes an expert working knowledge of SolidWorks to provide complete, detailed, and accurate drawings to manufacturing operations.
• Collaborates with engineering, production, and vendor resources to both verify fixture build strategies and to explore new creative solutions.
• Utilizes an expert working knowledge of SolidWorks to produce drawing sets for customer design approval and generate CAD models to be used when developing production details after the approval process.
• Works withing the engineering team as a collaborative resource, effective at reviewing and continuously improving fixture designs as they move through the full design & manufacturing process.
• Continuously balances independent design work with customer & resource collaboration.
• Maintains records using a document control process.
• Proactively communicates project status, challenges, and issues.
• Proofreads and submits documentation, which is comprehensive, accurate and complies with PD brand standards.
• Fosters a culture that values family, innovation, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Follow all safety and workplace policies.

Competencies and Skills:

• Excellent organizational, research and analytical skills
• Mechanical intuition, creative problem solving, spatial reasoning, and attention to detail.
• Flexible design skills: design for assembly/manufacturability, tolerance analysis, design for rapid prototyping, design for high volume manufacturing, technology integration.
• Proficient in 3D Solid Modeling software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Ability to clearly communicate production details through drawings.
• Understanding of how products are built, their intended functionality and design efficiency.
• Excellent communication skills: ability to clearly communicate production details through drawings, thrives in collaborative design efforts.
• Ability to work productively and creatively with limited supervision.
• Ability to accept critiques and make changes accordingly.
• Ability to multitask and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent visual communication skills.
• Readily exercises discretion and independent judgment when performing job-related duties.
• Ability to demonstrate and apply our workplace values.
• Flexibility to travel between multiple PD locations
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.

Education/Experience:

• 6+ years of design drafting experience in wood, metal, and plastic product manufacturing: experience with retail clients preferred.
• Degree in design (architectural, industrial, engineering) or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience in the full design process, from concept through manufacturing
• Experience with outside customer contact a plus

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Walking, sitting, bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting may be required throughout the workday.
• Regularly required to stand or sit and move about the facility(s).
• Employees may occasionally lift or move up to 35lbs.

Qualifications