Design Engineer(Product Development)

Venture Hire Group LLC; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing manufacturing firm is seeking a hands-on Design Engineer to lead new product development from concept to production launch. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of engineering experience, particularly in mechanical storage equipment, and strong proficiency in SolidWorks. You'll be involved in the full lifecycle of product development, collaborating cross-functionally and ensuring compliance from prototyping to successful launches. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a close-knit engineering team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of engineering experience within mechanical storage equipment or related appliance manufacturing.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks required.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, testing, and product optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full New Product Development lifecycle using a structured stage gate process.
• Generate mechanical designs and detailed shop fabrication drawings using SolidWorks.
• Be present on the shop floor during fabrication, welding, assembly, and testing.

Skills

Mechanical design

SolidWorks proficiency

Cross-functional team leadership

Prototyping and testing

Electrical design competency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Are you a hands‑on Design Engineer who thrives on turning ideas into fully launched, compliant products? READ ON! We’re partnering with a growing manufacturer in need of taking product development forward as they are seeking a driven engineer to lead new product development from concept through production launch.

If you enjoy building structure around innovation, collaborating cross‑functionally, and taking ownership of projects from start to finish—this role offers high visibility and real impact within a tight‑knit engineering team.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the full New Product Development lifecycle using a structured stage gate process, from concept and prototyping through testing and production launch
• Generate mechanical designs and detailed shop fabrication drawings using SolidWorks
• Develop prototypes, execute testing plans, and implement design improvements to optimize performance, reliability, and cost
• Lead engineering design reviews for manufacturability and cost optimization
• Provide costing and labor estimate support during product development
• Support supply chain with technical specifications for outsourced components and materials
• Maintain visibility into project pipeline metrics, including qualification stage and prototype tracking
• Be present on the shop floor during fabrication, welding, assembly, and testing to ensure successful product launch

Experience & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of engineering experience within mechanical storage equipment (electronic components) or related appliance manufacturing required
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline required
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (CAD) required
• Proven experience leading cross‑functional teams through full NPD lifecycle
• Hands‑on experience with prototyping, testing, and product optimization
• Understanding of cooling or temperature systems strongly preferred; experience working alongside refrigeration engineers is a plus
• Electrical design competency, including wiring diagrams and system‑level understanding, is highly desirable
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and certification documentation