Design Engineer

Position Summary

The Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, documentation, and management of engineering projects assigned to them. This position combines hands-on product and tooling design with program management responsibilities to ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and meet customer and company expectations.

Working under the guidance of Senior Design Engineers, this individual will continue developing technical knowledge in product design, tooling, injection molding, and manufacturing processes while taking increasing ownership of engineering projects from concept through production.

The Design Engineer will utilize SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM/Clarity, and other engineering software to create and maintain designs while coordinating with internal departments, suppliers, and customers throughout the project lifecycle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Engineering Design

• Design plastic products, tooling, fixtures, sample assembly equipment, packaging, and manufacturing aids.

• Create 3D CAD models and detailed manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.

• Maintain engineering documentation within SolidWorks PDM/Clarity.

• Review customer prints, CAD models, specifications, and engineering requirements.

• Develop engineering concepts and recommend practical manufacturing solutions.

• Modify existing product and tooling designs as required.

• Support troubleshooting and continuous improvement of existing products and tooling.

• Assist Senior Design Engineers with complex design projects and new product development.

• Learn company design standards, best practices, and engineering procedures.

Project & Program Management

• Manage assigned engineering projects from initial quotation through production launch.

• Coordinate project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

• Track project progress and communicate status to management and stakeholders.

• Coordinate activities between Engineering, Tooling, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and external suppliers.

• Assist with project scheduling and resource planning.

• Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions as assigned.

• Support quotation activities by providing design input and technical feasibility reviews.

• Manage engineering changes throughout the life of assigned projects.

• Serve as the primary engineering contact for assigned projects, communicating technical requirements, reviewing supplier designs, supporting customer engineering requests, and coordinating project execution from concept through production.

Documentation & Change Control

• Create and maintain engineering documentation and project records.

• Prepare and revise engineering drawings and Bills of Material (BOMs).

• Process Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).

• Maintain accurate revision control within company systems.

• Ensure documentation complies with company standards and customer requirements.

Manufacturing & Product Support

• Support prototype development and sample builds.

• Assist Manufacturing during product launches.

• Troubleshoot product and tooling issues with production personnel.

• Assist with tooling validation and production readiness.

• Participate in design reviews and manufacturing reviews.

• Support Fast Response and Continuous Improvement projects.

Quality & APQP Support

• Assist with development and maintenance of PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, Design Reviews, Design Validation documentation, PPAP documentation as required, and customer engineering documentation.

Continuous Learning & Development

• Train under Senior Design Engineers to expand technical capabilities.

• Develop knowledge of plastic injection molding, mold design, automation, tooling, and manufacturing processes.

• Learn applicable industry standards and customer-specific requirements.

• Participate in internal and external engineering training opportunities.

• Continuously improve design, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred.

• Equivalent combination of education and practical design experience may be considered.

Experience

• 1–5 years of engineering or mechanical design experience preferred.

• Experience with SolidWorks required.

• Experience with SolidWorks PDM/Clarity preferred.

• Experience with plastic injection molding, tooling, or manufacturing is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in SolidWorks 3D CAD.

• Strong mechanical aptitude.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Detail-oriented with strong documentation skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Willingness to learn from Senior Design Engineers and continuously develop technical expertise.

Preferred Knowledge

• Plastic injection molding

• Mold design

• Manufacturing processes

• Automation systems

• GD&T

• DFM/DFA principles

• Engineering Change Management

• APQP

• PPAP

• FMEA

• ISO/IATF quality systems