The Project Design Engineer will play a key role in the design and development of new products, as well as improvements to existing products, by performing the following duties. This includes interaction with customers and internal departments to identify and develop new product designs and applications, as well as following new product development (NPD) processes and using engineering expertise in managing NPD projects.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Collaborates with a wide variety of functional areas such as sales, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, and operations to research new product ideas and develop product definitions responsive to customer needs and market opportunities.
- Periodically attends trade shows and travels with Sales for market research and product development purposes.
- Visits customers as needed to discuss and evaluate new opportunities and solutions in response to specific customer requirements, while providing technical engineering expertise and guidance.
- Analyzes and evaluates new product projects, designs, and cost to improve the competitive position of the company.
- Reviews formal technical requirements issued by customers and develops responsive and conforming design proposals/bids.
- Collaborates with Sales, customers, our parent company Lucidity, and other parties as appropriate to manage projects through the NPD processes.
- Uses computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform, or assist with, the design of new products. (15 – 20% of overall duties & time)
- Responsible for managing validation and implementation of new product designs, including validation testing, go-live readiness/product roll-out, and post-implementation support, as required.
- Participates in the quality control and issue resolution process, including the following:
o Responding to all quality issues reported by Sales via designated product/project management/tracking tools.
o Analyzing and troubleshooting defective products or situations.
o Coordinating inspection activities, including any required action on inventory and open orders, with various other departments as needed (e.g., quality control, purchasing, engineering and sales) towards resolution of product-related issues.
o Developing, reviewing and finalizing Corrective Action Reports and coordinating submission to the appropriate sales manager and customer to resolve the quality issue at hand.
o Working through the issue resolution process until corrective action is taken and validation has been confirmed.
- Manages proposed changes to existing product specifications to ensure that evaluation, documentation and implementation occurs within established processes and objectives, including the following:
o Responds to all design specification changes, requested by Sales or reported by Suppliers, via designated product/project management/tracking tools.
o Coordinates review activities with various other departments as needed to ensure that new design specifications are effectively communicated, verified prior to implementation into production, and validated prior to customer delivery.
- Schedules and manages recurring project review meetings with Sales and other internal departments to ensure that established project timetables and customer expectations are consistently met.
- Assists with internal and external product and application-related training as required.
- Establishes, maintains, and builds relationships with vendors, customers, and internal departments to help facilitate the timely completion of projects.
- Works with the NPD team to analyze product development processes and propose improvements to further department and corporate objectives.
- Assists with developing strategies and tools to identify and prioritize all new product projects in progress, and uses these tools to manage day-to-day progress of all products in product development.
- Updates job knowledge by remaining current on regulations and requirements, reading professional publications, participating in professional organizations, etc., and also takes steps to increase real-world product application knowledge.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor degree in mechanical or electrical engineering from a four-year college or university; AND at least two years related experience and/or training; OR equivalent combination of education and experience. Related experience in the lighting industry and/or automotive or trailer industry is preferred. Electrical engineering experience a plus.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
None required. Project Management Professional Certification is a plus.
Knowledge
- In-depth understanding of mechanical and/or electrical engineering, specifically relating to automotive and trailer applications, highly preferred.
- General understanding of 12-volt lighting (LED and incandescent) and electrical engineering, specifically engineering knowledge as it relates to LED’s, Circuit boards, Lens optics, Photometrics, and Reflectivity.
- General understanding of the manufacturing (preferably lighting) product development process, to include Prototyping, Tooling, Injection molding, and Manufacturing.
- Preferably knowledge and understanding of the lighting industry and markets.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of and the ability to use the following: CAD Design software, Internet software and Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Experience with inventory management software such as SAP and/or Project Management software preferred.
Other Qualifications
- Strong project management skills, as well as prioritization and multi-tasking skills
- Ability to generate new product concepts and develop CAD drawings
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
- Attention to detail
- Strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills
- Preferably international experience or experience with effectively managing international projects
- Ability to work effectively with various different individuals/groups, both internal and external to the organization, at all levels, and at times individuals/groups from different cultures
- Ability to be on calls with Taiwan either early or late in the day
- Strong business acumen and the ability to represent the company well
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Travel
Estimated 10-20% travel (e.g., at least one visit per year to the Goshen facility, potentially to our parent company in Taiwan, likely a trade show each year, and a few sales calls as needed)
Job Type: Full-time
Application Question(s):
- Are you located in Tulsa, OK?
Education:
Experience:
- Mechanical engineering: 3 years (Preferred)
- Electrical engineering: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
