Product Design Engineer

Sturm, Ruger & Co.; Mayodan (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance is available

Profit sharing

Bonus

Health benefits

401k match

Paid Time Off

Casual work environment

Job summary

Sturm, Ruger & Co. in North Carolina seeks a Product Design Engineer to support new product development, derivatives, and line extension initiatives, as well as sustaining engineering and cost reduction efforts.

The role requires hands-on design experience in a manufacturing environment, cross-functional collaboration, and strong knowledge of SolidWorks, GD&T, DFMA, and FMEA to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions from concept through production and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing or R&D environment.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks; knowledge of CETOL and ERP systems is preferred.
• Strong GD&T understanding and tolerance analysis skills.
• Experience with DFMA and FMEA methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop line extensions and derivative configurations from concept to production release.
• Create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings in SolidWorks per company standards.
• Apply GD&T principles to ensure manufacturability and inspectability.
• Conduct tolerance stack‑ups and variation analysis using CETOL or similar tools.
• Lead DFMEA activities and drive DFMA initiatives to reduce cost while preserving quality.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to resolve issues and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

DFMA

FMEA

GD&T

Problem solving

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CETOL

Oracle ERP

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Product Design Engineer to support new product development, derivative and line extension product initiatives, sustaining engineering, and cost reduction efforts. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise and hands‑on experience in product design within a manufacturing environment. This role works cross‑functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to develop robust, manufacturable, and cost‑effective designs, supporting products from concept through production and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop line extension and derivative configurations from concept through production release.
• Create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks in accordance with company standards.
• Apply GD&T principles to ensure functional, manufacturable, and inspectable designs.
• Conduct tolerance stack‑ups and variation analysis using CETOL or similar tools.
• Develop predictive mathematical models for simulating various aspects of mechanical motion.
• Lead and participate in Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) activities.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) initiatives to optimize cost, quality, and throughput.
• Support sustaining engineering efforts including design updates, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to resolve production issues and implement corrective actions.
• Manage engineering changes through PDM and ERP systems (e.g., Oracle), ensuring proper documentation and revision control.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Support prototype builds, testing, and validation activities.
• Interface with suppliers to support design development and cost reduction initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related equivalent technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or R&D environment.
• Must be proficient in SolidWorks as well as Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Strong understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5-2009) and tolerance analysis (CETOL preferred).
• Experience with DFMA and FMEA methodologies.
• Familiarity with Bill of Material (BOM) management in ERP systems (Oracle preferred).
• Experience supporting products through full lifecycle (concept to production).
• Strong problem‑solving, communication (written and verbal), and organizational skills.
• Self‑motivated and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Good judgment/decision‑making skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in firearms or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of manufacturing capabilities of machined, injection molded, MIM (Metal Injection Molded), and stamped components.
• Spring design experience
• Experience performing moderately complex analyses such as kinematic/dynamic motion and FEA.
• Experience with cost reduction and value engineering initiatives.
• Exposure to product testing and validation processes.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to successfully pass a drug and background screen.
• Must be eligible to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship now and in the future.

Salary

• D.O.E. – please include your salary requirements with your resume.

Additional Benefits To Becoming a Member Of Our Team

• Competitive compensation package including competitive salary, profit sharing, and bonus
• Health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision
• Life and Retirement benefits, including 401k match, discretionary supplemental 401k contribution, basic and supplemental life options, as well as short- and long-term disability plans
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Relocation Assistance is available for the right candidate who is willing to relocate.
• Casual work environment