Design Engineer III

Nidec Automation; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec Automation is seeking a senior Design Engineer III in the United States to lead complex design activities and drive performance, cost, and manufacturability improvements across products and subsystems.

Responsibilities include translating requirements into robust solutions, conducting advanced analyses, and mentoring junior engineers while collaborating with product, quality, and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering with 5–7+ years of progressive design experience.
• Advanced knowledge of design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong CAD and engineering analysis skills; ability to solve complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of complex components, subsystems, or products from concept through release.
• Translate high-level requirements into robust engineering solutions.
• Apply advanced engineering principles, standards, and best practices.
• Perform advanced calculations, simulations, and tolerance analysis.
• Lead design verification and validation activities.
• Own drawings, specifications, and BOMs; lead design reviews.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain on manufacturability and cost.
• Provide technical support during production and field issues.
• Mentor Design Engineer I and II; share best practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of processes and tools.

Skills

Engineering design

Materials & manufacturing

CAD tools

Engineering analysis

Problem solving

Systems thinking

Communication

Influence without authority

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CAD

Engineering analysis tools

Job description

The Design Engineer III is a senior‑level engineering professional responsible for leading complex design activities for products, systems, or subsystems. This role has a direct impact on product performance, quality, cost, and manufacturability through advanced engineering judgment, deep technical expertise, and cross‑functional collaboration. The role typically reports to an Engineering Director, Engineering Manager, or Engineering Supervisor, depending on organizational structure.

Responsibilities

Advanced Design & Technical Leadership

• Lead design and development of complex components, subsystems, or products from concept through release
• Translate high-level or ambiguous requirements into robust engineering solutions
• Apply advanced engineering principles, standards, and industry best practices

Engineering Analysis & Validation

• Perform advanced calculations, simulations, and tolerance analysis
• Lead design verification and validation activities
• Identify and mitigate technical risks through structured analysis and testing

Documentation, Reviews & Configuration Control

• Own creation and approval of detailed drawings, specifications, and BOMs
• Lead design reviews and technical decision discussions
• Ensure configuration control, change management, and documentation accuracy

Manufacturing, Quality & Lifecycle Support

• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain on design for manufacturability and cost optimization
• Support quality investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions
• Provide technical support during production, field issues, or product changes

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Advisory

• Collaborate with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Project teams
• Communicate technical recommendations, risks, and trade-offs clearly to stakeholders
• Support new product introductions, scale-ups, and process improvements

Leadership Through Expertise & Mentoring

• Serve as technical mentor and reviewer for Design Engineer I and II roles
• Share best practices, lessons learned, and design standards
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related discipline) required
• Advanced degree preferred
• Typically 5–7+ years of progressive experience in design or product engineering roles

Required Skills

• Advanced knowledge of engineering design, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Strong proficiency in CAD and engineering analysis tools
• Ability to independently solve complex, non-routine engineering problems
• Strong systems-thinking, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Effective written, verbal, and technical communication skills
• Ability to influence outcomes without formal authority
• High attention to detail and strong quality mindset