Product Designer

Wolf Steel Ltd; Barrie; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading home comfort solutions company is seeking a Product Designer to create innovative product concepts and detailed designs for mass production. The ideal candidate will have experience with 3D CAD software and project management skills. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launches while adhering to technical requirements and deadlines. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered, including medical and retirement plans, recognition programs, and more.

Benefits

Competitive Compensation / Wages

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP/DPSP)

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year product design or development experience using 3D CAD software.
• Knowledge of material and manufacturing processes is essential.
• CSWA certification or willingness to achieve it during onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop product concepts for mass production.
• Manage projects from concept through production, ensuring deadlines and targets.
• Create detailed drawings and specifications, maintain CAD database.

Skills

3D CAD software

Project management

Collaboration

Education

University Degree or College Diploma in Engineering Technology

Tools

Solidworks

SAP

Job description

Napoleon leads the way with innovative engineering, advanced manufacturing techniques, unsurpassed customer service and remarkable product quality. Our award‑winning products offer a best‑in‑class experience for all customers’ home comfort needs. While we are proudly Canadian, Napoleon is also fortunate to operate on a world‑wide scale.

Title

Product Designer

Reports to

Product Design Supervisor

Location

214 Bayview Drive, Barrie (hybrid)

Job Purpose

Designing product concepts, creating 3D rendered images for concept approval, creating detailed prototype designs and designs suitable for mass production; including creating detailed drawings, specifications and information necessary for product literature. Plan and manage small to moderate sized project(s) for new accessories or product developments from concept through to mass production, ensuring technical requirements, deadlines and cost targets are achieved, and maintain/upgrade current product line‑up where necessary to maintain relevance in the market. Where applicable, work in close collaboration with project launch manager to ensure an “on‑time” and effective production launch.

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Define concepts or ideas, considering competitive products, benchmarking, trends & lesson learnt.
• Sketches and simple 3D concept models, rendered images, technical scope documents suitable for obtaining project approval; presenting ideas to R&D team and management.
• Detailed 3D models suitable for prototype and mass production, including DFA/DFM/DFS (Design for Assembly, Manufacture and Serviceability).
• Design for cost, aesthetic appearance, robustness, reliability and quality; considering project targets and project deadlines while collaborating with other departments, other sites and outside vendors.
• Validate the design concept: Using recognized design tools, including design reviews, functional analysis, input to simulation, tolerance stack ups for fit, form and function; act actively in Stage Gate runs to validate part fit, form and function, manufacturability and drawing accuracy.
• Create and maintain detailed 2D drawings and specifications where applicable. Create bill of material, including all details required to populate ERP system. Drawing release after checking for prototype, purchasing, samples, etc. Ensure latest math data (2D and 3D) is maintained in company CAD database.
• Maintain current product line‑up. Champion Change Notices that improve product robustness and correct quality and field issues for the first 12 months after production launch. Update or support changes to existing models, drawings, based on Continuous Improvements, Change Notices and/or corrections.
• Work directly with Technology / Engineering Manager to plan all development activities, for R&D, with the vendor and the cross‑functional team necessary to develop and launch the product, where applicable in collaboration with the project launch manager.
• Track project schedules and report all project open issues weekly using the department open issues list, identifying all critical tasks, all tasks that require cross‑functional support. Inform the responsible person regarding assigned tasks and follow up to ensure completion. Identify variances or delayed tasks to the technology /engineering manager in a timely manner, collaborating to create recovery plans. Regularly communicate project status to cross‑functional team and to management.
• Periodically review the design with technology / engineering manager to ensure progress to technical goals and deadlines. Ensure that design and peer reviews are completed prior to each stage gate and after each test phase. Document all issues and identify project risks and actions required.
• Plan and manage prototype phase(s), engineering production run and/or samples to validate the product design and drawings. Where applicable collaborate with the project launch manager to plan the process run and ensure all design changes are documented and implemented prior to production run. Actively support the production run as required. Ensure all stage gate or accelerated stage documentation is completed and approved by the technology /engineering manager ahead of stage gate reviews.
• Provide drawings and data to support creation of product manuals, work instructions, compliance / certification, service parts, marketing information, etc. Work with assigned technical writer to completion of clear and accurate manuals, leaflets, and technical marketing support information for assigned products and accessories. Review draft documentation with technology manager and applicable cross‑function team members. Take necessary actions to validate the accuracy of information in literature, with PPET evaluation where applicable.
• Champion and facilitate the set‑up of appropriate service parts, new kits and plan all accessories, for assigned projects to be fully validated and available at product launch.
• Some local and international travel may be required.

Education And Experience

• Preference given to those with a University Degree or College Diploma in Engineering Technology, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Must have a minimum of 1 year product design or development experience, specifically using 3D CAD software (Solidworks, SolidEdge, ProE, Catia, Mechanical Desktop, etc.). Demonstrated experience in either simulation or CAM would be considered an advantage.
• Experience in a directly related field such as hearth or other thermodynamic products (HVAC, boilers, heat pumps, etc.) will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of PLM software systems is considered an asset (SAP, TeamCenter, Solidworks PDM, etc.) from the perspective of a user and for basic system administration. No requirement for experience as system architect or planner.
• Must possess knowledge and some practical experience of material and manufacturing processes. Some “hands on” mechanical or fabrication experience would be an asset.
• CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) or willingness to achieve this requirement during 75‑day onboarding process. CSWP and CSWE (Professional and Expert) would be considered an asset in this position.
• Knowledge of SolidWorks, or demonstrated experience with equivalent 3D software and willingness to learn SolidWorks and MS Office.
• Sheet metal component design, consumer products and/or furniture design experience are an asset.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation / Wages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP/DPSP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Associate Purchase Programs, Product Discounts, In‑house Sales
• Appreciation Events, Raffles, Draws, Fundraising, BBQ’s, Competitions
• Napoleon Cares – Associates helping Associates
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Napoleon Recognition Program
• Go‑evisits, virtual doctor visits
• And more!

The Napoleon Group of Companies is committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain Associates with disabilities. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the employment cycle. Accommodation is available upon request.

We thank you for your interest in The Napoleon Group of Companies and for participating in our competition. Only those candidates selected for consideration will be contacted.