Mechanical Design Engineer

Johnson Outdoors; Old Town (ME); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Paid time off

Benefits package

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Johnson Outdoors, based in Old Town, Maine, seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to drive concept-to-production of consumer products. You will work with a passionate team to turn bold ideas into reliable, award-winning outdoor gear.

The role emphasizes hands-on testing, fast iteration, cross-functional collaboration, and occasional travel. Requires a BS in mechanical engineering and 4 years of design experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• 4 years of mechanical design experience in consumer products.
• Knowledge of material science including plastics, metals, and joining processes.
• Ability to read and draw schematics and 日 diagrams.
• Experience with product development from concept to production, EVA and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Create innovative product designs from concept to initial production and maintain timelines.
• Manage small to mid-size projects with budgets and quality requirements.
• Prototype design experimentation and fabrication for performance and reliability.
• Conduct feasibility evaluations and cost estimates for development and tooling.
• Troubleshoot design issues post-production and collaborate with internal teams.
• Write specifications, provide prints, and document testing verification.
• Produce project documentation including prints, supplier communications and ECOs.
• Assist operations and suppliers through development stages with tooling and capacity forecasting.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project management

Prototype development

Technical communication

Lean manufacturing

Team collaboration

Education

BSME

Tools

CAD software

Simulation tools

Schematic reading

Job description

At Johnson Outdoors, home to some of the world’s most innovative and best-known outdoor recreation brands, we create amazing outdoor experiences - foradventurers, by adventurers. Check out each of the unique Johnson Outdoor brands in Fishing, Camping, Watercraft and Diving!

If you like the outdoors, the reward of designing consumer products, and a great team environment, this position is for you. With new world class facilities, you will have access to state-of-the‑art equipment; whether spending time indoors or on the water product testing. You will join a best-in‑class team, winners of multiple new product awards. If you like fishing, paddling and camping, it is an engineer’s dream job!

Based in beautiful and affordable Old Town, Maine, you’ll have incredible access to a variety of outdoor activities whether skiing and snowmobiling in winter, or kayaking, fishing, sailing, hiking or more in summer. Close to Bangor, this scenic area boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene and easy access to the Maine coast.

As our Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll work with our team on design and development of innovative new products from conception through production- ensuring that our ideas turn into products that further our mission of opening the world through the amazing awe of the great outdoors.

You’ll flex your design experimentation skills, seeing three steps ahead, naturally anticipating performance and reliability issues, and troubleshooting effective solutions to ensure delivery of exceptional products.

You’ll develop your project management skills, driving development timelines with ease and a can‑do attitude - routinely making the impossible, possible, and the team around you better.

If you thrive in a busy, small hands‑on team environment, if you’re meticulous with testing and verification ensure design performance and reliability, if you want to create innovative and award‑winning products that are industry leaders,

What you will do

• Create innovative new product designs in response to new product concepts through development and initial production efficiently and effectively. Construct and maintain new product timelines, which include required external resources. Additionally design and develop improvements to existing products.
• May manage smaller to moderately complex projects from concept, design, and through completion. Develop timelines and ensure project success by maintaining timeline targets, budget responsibilities and quality requirements.
• Perform prototype design experimentation, rapid prototype and conventional prototype fabrication. prototype design(s) for performance and reliability.
• Conduct and document technical feasibility evaluations, qualifications field and competitive testing to verify the design. Formulate development, unit and tooling cost estimates.
• Troubleshoot mechanical design issues during development after the production start. Collaborate with various internal teams to resolve issues and ensure the development of a quality product that support company and consumer needs.
• Write product specifications and provide prints documentation and testing verification methods to source and inspect the product. Ensure the product meets specifications and publish testing results.
• Produce project documentation that includes prints, engineering files, supplier communications and Engineering Change Orders (ECO’s).
• Assist operations and outside suppliers through new product development stages of new products with tooling, process methods, assembly plans and forecasting capacity requirements.
• This role requires periodic travel, both domestic and international.

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BSME), engineering technology (BSET) or equivalent.
• 4 years of experience in mechanical design engineering within consumer product design.
• Knowledge of material science with primary disciplines in combustion technology, plastic injection molding, die‑casting and sheet metal fabrication and processes.
• Knowledge of and experience in reading and drawing schematics.
• Understanding of and experience in product development from concept through production which includes a core understanding of the new product process, financial modeling (EVA) and timeline management.
• Proven experience in generating, designing and executing concepts into manufacturable designs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in managing more complex projects from concept to completion.
• Demonstrated creativity with strong analytical and technical expertise.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with a variety of internal teams as well as external contacts.
• Proficiency with specific computer based analysis, simulation and design tools.
• Comfortable working in a lean and fast‑paced environment
• Compensation range: $85,000 - $100,000 depending upon experience.

A few pointers about our culture

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out there.
• We are laser‑focused on our consumers, and passionate about inspiring people to actively engage with the amazing awe of the outdoors again and again.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive

• Share in the company’s success with competitive base salary, with additional earning potential through participation in the annual discretionary cash profit sharing program, eligibility for annual pay increases, and employee stock purchase plans.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoying a collaborative and casual work environment, participating in fun company events, and taking advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, life and LTD insurance, employee stock purchase plan, and more.

What you will do

• Create innovative new product designs in response to new product concepts through development and initial production efficiently and effectively. Construct and maintain new product timelines, which include required external resources. Additionally design and develop improvements to existing products.

• May manage smaller to moderately complex projects from concept, design, and through completion. Develop timelines and ensure project success by maintaining timeline targets, budget responsibilities and quality requirements.
• Perform prototype design experimentation, rapid prototype and conventional prototype fabrication. prototype design(s) for performance and reliability.
• Conduct and document technical feasibility evaluations, qualifications field and competitive testing to verify the design. Formulate development, unit and tooling cost estimates.
• Troubleshoot mechanical design issues during development after the production start. Collaborate with various internal teams to resolve issues and ensure the development of a quality product that support company and consumer needs.
• Write product specifications and provide prints documentation and testing verification methods to source and inspect the product. Ensure the product meets specifications and publish testing results.
• Produce project documentation that includes prints, engineering files, supplier communications and Engineering Change Orders (ECO’s).
• Assist operations and outside suppliers through new product development stages of new products with tooling, process methods, assembly plans and forecasting capacity requirements.
• This role requires periodic travel, both domestic and international.

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BSME), engineering technology (BSET) or equivalent.
• 4 years of experience in mechanical design engineering within consumer product design.
• Knowledge of material science with primary disciplines in combustion technology, plastic injection molding, die‑casting and sheet metal fabrication and processes.
• Knowledge of and experience in reading and drawing schematics.
• Understanding of and experience in product development from concept through production which includes a core understanding of the new product process, financial modeling (EVA) and timeline management.
• Proven experience in generating, designing and executing concepts into manufacturable designs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in managing more complex projects from concept to completion.
• Demonstrated creativity with strong analytical and technical expertise.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with a variety of internal teams as well as external contacts.
• Proficiency with specific computer based analysis, simulation and design tools.
• Comfortable working in a lean and fast‑paced environment
• Compensation range: $85,000 - $100,000 depending upon experience.

A few pointers about our culture

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out there.
• We are laser‑focused on our consumers, and passionate about inspiring people to actively engage with the amazing awe of the outdoors again and again.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive

• Share in the company’s success with competitive base salary, with additional earning potential through participation in the annual discretionary cash profit sharing program, eligibility for annual pay increases, and employee stock purchase plans.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoying a collaborative and casual work environment, participating in fun company events, and taking advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, life and LTD insurance, employee stock purchase plan, and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.