Product Development Engineer

MDS Staffing; Dayton (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MDS Staffing seeks a Product Development Engineer to drive the design and deployment of mobile material handling innovations. You will lead mechanical engineering projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate customer needs into robust products that meet cost and schedule targets.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will apply CAD, FEA, and lean manufacturing principles to optimize performance, reliability, and manufacturability, while mentoring production staff and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in Mechanical, New Product Development, or Manufacturing Engineering role in mobile material handling.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Proficient in CAD software (Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks) and other engineering tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to meet aggressive deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to manufacturing and quality control.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize, design, and develop new products for mobile material handling solutions.
• Conduct comprehensive research on industry trends, customer needs, and technological advancements.
• Lead the product development lifecycle from ideation to prototyping, testing, and final production.
• Utilize mechanical engineering principles to optimize performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Provide technical support to internal teams and customers, addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and industry standards, incorporating them into designs.
• Assist in training production staff with new processes and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations during testing.
• Support integration of automation and mechatronic systems into products.
• Engage in other duties as assigned.

Skills

FEA experience

CAD proficiency

Problem solving

Lean manufacturing

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

ERP systems

PLM software

PLC/Robotics controls

Job description

Job Description

Product Development Engineer

Job Summary

As a Product Development Engineer, you will be driving innovation and shaping the future of our mobile material handling solutions. Our client is an innovative manufacturing company that is aggressively entering the automation space. We are seeking a versatile and motivated Product Development Engineer to support the successful introduction of high-quality products and ensure rapid deployment into the market. This role focuses on mechanical engineering projects while collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, including both internal and external customers and vendors. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with problem-solving skills to optimize product performance and support the company’s ambitious growth objectives. Your expertise and creativity will be instrumental in developing cutting-edge solutions addressing industry challenges and meeting the evolving needs of our customers

Responsibilities

• 1) Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize, design, and develop new products for mobile material handling solutions.
• 2) Conduct comprehensive research to understand industry trends, customer needs, and technological advancements.
• 3) Lead the product development lifecycle from ideation to prototyping, testing, and final production.
• 4) Utilize your expertise in mechanical engineering principles to optimize product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• 5) Provide technical support to internal teams and customers, addressing inquiries and resolving issues effectively.
• 6) Utilize your expertise in mechanical engineering principles to optimize product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• 7) Stay updated on emerging technologies and industry standards, incorporating them into product designs.
• 8) Assist in the training and development of production staff with new processes and equipment.
• 9) Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations throughout the testing process.
• 10) Support the integration of automation and mechatronic systems into existing and new products.
• 11) Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 1) Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 2) Minimum of 5 years of experience in a Mechanical, New Product Development or Manufacturing Engineering role, preferably within the mobile material handling industry.
• 3) Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other simulation tools.
• 4) Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles.
• 5) Proficient in CAD software (e.g., Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks) and other relevant engineering tools.
• 6) Excellent problem-solving skills and are comfortable working with aggressive deadlines.
• 7) Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management abilities.
• 8) Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to manufacturing and quality control.

Preferred Experience

• 1) Previous experience in the automation of product and process within a manufacturing environment.
• 2) Experience in Autodesk Inventor software.
• 3) Fluency in designing for manufacturability and assembly. (DFMA).
• 4) Familiarity with ERP systems.
• 5) Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) software.
• 6) Previous Experience in AGV, AMR, Forklift or other Class III Equipment Development.
• 7) Experience with automation systems such as PLCs, robotics, industrial controls etc
• 8) Demonstrated success in contributing to cross-functional teams on process improvement projects.
• 9) Knowledge of regulatory compliance standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar.

Key Competencies

• 1) Analytical Thinking: Ability to systematically analyze problems and propose effective solutions.
• 2) Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and quality control standards.
• 3) Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey technical information.
• 4) Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• 5) Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• 6) Adaptability: Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and technologies in a fast-paced environment.