Product Development Engineer

Forbo Movement Systems; Huntersville (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forbo Movement Systems product development team is seeking a Product Development Engineer to translate concepts into manufacturable products. You will design mechanical components, create robust prototypes, and build test fixtures for validation, collaborating with design, manufacturing, and quality teams.

You will apply mechanical design expertise, prototyping skills, and LabVIEW-driven test automation to ensure cost-effective, reliable introductions of new products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience in mechanical design and product development within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on prototyping, test fixture design, and assembly process optimization.
• Proficiency in LabVIEW or similar test automation software.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and NPI methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for new product introductions, ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
• Create and implement test fixtures and procedures to validate product performance and reliability during development phases.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize assembly processes and support smooth prototype-to-production transitions.
• Utilize LabVIEW and other software tools to develop automated testing solutions and data acquisition systems.
• Lead prototyping efforts, including material selection, fabrication, and iterative testing.
• Work with product engineering and quality teams to troubleshoot issues and implement design improvements.
• Document design specs, test results, and process instructions for manufacturing and quality control.
• Manage timelines and resources to meet project milestones and budgets.

Skills

LabVIEW proficiency

Prototyping & test fixtures

Mechanical design

Manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Simulation tools

SAP

Job description

Since 1919, we at Forbo Movement Systems have been the specialists for high-quality conveyor and processing belts, versatile plastic modular belts, homogeneous conveyor belts, efficient power transmission belts and precise timing and flat belts. Our innovative solutions for production, material flow and logistics contribute significantly to the competitiveness of our customers. In addition to our focus on quality and innovation, we consistently focus on sustainability. Through continuous improvements, we also support the sustainability efforts of our customers.

About the Role:

The Product Development Engineer plays a critical role in driving the design, development, and successful introduction of new products within the organization. This position is responsible for transforming conceptual ideas into manufacturable products by integrating mechanical design principles with practical manufacturing processes. The engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including design, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure products meet performance, cost, and reliability targets. A key outcome of this role is to develop robust prototypes and test fixtures that validate product functionality and assembly processes before full-scale production. Ultimately, the Product Development Engineer ensures that new products are introduced efficiently and effectively, supporting the company's innovation and market competitiveness.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience in mechanical design and product development within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, test fixture design, and assembly process optimization.
• Proficiency in LabVIEW or similar test automation software.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and new product introduction methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with advanced CAD software and simulation tools.
• Familiarity with quality management systems such as ISO 9001 or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Previous experience working in a cross-functional product development team.
• Knowledge of electronics integration in mechanical product design.
• Knowledge of SAP

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for new product introductions, ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
• Create and implement test fixtures and procedures to validate product performance and reliability during development phases.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize assembly processes and support smooth transition from prototype to production.
• Utilize LabVIEW and other software tools to develop automated testing solutions and data acquisition systems.
• Lead prototyping efforts, including material selection, fabrication, and iterative testing to refine product designs.
• Work closely with product engineering and quality teams to troubleshoot issues and implement design improvements.
• Document design specifications, test results, and process instructions to support manufacturing and quality control.
• Manage timelines and resources to meet project milestones and deliverables within budget.

Skills:

The required skills are applied daily to design and refine mechanical components that meet functional and manufacturing requirements. Mechanical design expertise enables the engineer to create detailed models and drawings that guide prototyping and production. Test fixture development and LabVIEW proficiency are essential for automating product testing and ensuring consistent quality. Understanding manufacturing and assembly processes allows the engineer to optimize designs for efficient production and cost savings. Preferred skills such as advanced CAD and quality system knowledge enhance the ability to innovate and maintain high standards throughout the product lifecycle.