Product Design Engineer

Aero Industries Inc; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Aero Industries Inc. is seeking a Product Design Engineer to own projects from concept through production, combining CAD modeling with hands-on work on the shop floor in Indianapolis.

You will design parts, tooling, and fixtures, create BOMs and documentation, test prototypes, and lead ECOs while collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Sales, and Operations to improve performance and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5–10 years in product design, manufacturing engineering, or product development.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and project management skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally.

Responsibilities

• Design parts, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing systems using Autodesk Inventor.
• Create detailed drawings, BOMs, BOOs, and engineering documentation.
• Develop prototypes and validate designs through testing and first article inspections.
• Work on the shop floor to install, troubleshoot, and improve products and processes.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, and Operations throughout development.
• Lead ECOs/ECRs and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Design tooling and fixtures to improve manufacturability and quality.
• Support custom product requests and technical questions.
• Manage multiple projects from concept to production.

Skills

CAD modeling

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Analytical troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Vault

Job description

Description

Build Products. Solve Problems. See Your Designs Come to Life.

Aero Industries is looking for a Product Design Engineer who enjoys designing innovative products and getting out on the shop floor to see them built. This is not a desk-only engineering role. You'll own projects from concept through production, collaborating with manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and sales to develop products, tooling, and fixtures that improve performance and efficiency.

If you're the type of engineer who enjoys both CAD modeling and hands‑on problem solving, we'd love to meet you.

Why Aero?

For more than 80 years, Aero Industries has been an industry leader in designing and manufacturing tarp systems and trailer accessories for customers across North America. As a family‑owned company headquartered in Indianapolis, we take pride in our quality products, collaborative culture, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Our engineers don't just create drawings—they help build the future of our products.

What You'll Do

As a Product Design Engineer, you will:

• Design parts, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing systems using Autodesk Inventor
• Create detailed engineering drawings, Bills of Material (BOMs), Bills of Operations (BOOs), and engineering documentation
• Develop prototypes and validate new product designs through testing and first article inspections
• Work directly on the manufacturing floor to install, troubleshoot, and improve products, tooling, and production processes
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, and Operations throughout the product development process
• Lead Engineering Change Orders (ECOs/ECRs) and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Design tooling and fixtures that improve manufacturability, efficiency, and product quality
• Support custom product requests and technical questions from internal teams and customers
• Manage multiple engineering projects from concept through production

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related engineering discipline
• 5–10 years of product design, manufacturing engineering, or product development experience
• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and manufacturing processes
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and project management skills
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross‑functionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with welding, machining, robotics, or sheet metal fabrication
• Experience designing manufacturing tooling and fixtures
• Familiarity with Autodesk Vault or another Product Data Management (PDM) system
• Experience with aluminum fabrication or truck/trailer products
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience performing basic FEA using Autodesk Inventor

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys solving complex engineering challenges
• Likes being both behind the computer and on the production floor
• Takes ownership from concept through implementation
• Thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment
• Works collaboratively with cross‑functional teams
• Brings creativity, curiosity, and continuous improvement to every project

Work Environment

This position combines office‑based engineering work with regular time spent in our manufacturing facility. You'll frequently collaborate with production teams, observe manufacturing processes, and help implement new designs directly on the shop floor.

Some travel may be required based on business needs.

Why Join Aero?

At Aero Industries, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact on products used across North America. You'll work alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter and your designs become reality.

If you're ready to build innovative products and solve real‑world manufacturing challenges, we'd love to hear from you.