Product Development Engineer (Mechanical)

Fortress Building Products; Garland (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortress Building Products in Garland, Texas is looking for a Product Development Engineer II to enhance its innovative building product range. This role invites a skilled engineer eager to take on responsibilities throughout the product lifecycle, from concept development to market launch.

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic team environment, contributing to product design, testing, and collaboration across departments. A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience with SolidWorks are essential.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of product development or design engineering experience.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks including parts, assemblies, and drawings.
• Knowledge of materials and related manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop components from ideation through production.
• Perform engineering analyses to support design decisions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams on DFM/DFA initiatives.

Skills

SolidWorks

Analytical skills

Project Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

3D modelling software

Job description

Department: Innovation & Engineering

Reports To: Director, Innovation & Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Garland, TX / Hybrid

Overview

Fortified Brands seeks a Product Development Engineer II to support the design and development of innovative building products across its growing portfolio of brands. This role is well suited for an engineer ready to grow into greater responsibility, with broad exposure and hands‑on involvement throughout the product lifecycle. You will work in a lean, fast‑paced team where your contributions directly shape product success from concept to commercialization, and you will be expected to take ownership of key components or projects with increasing autonomy.

Our Purpose

Build and invest in businesses that positively impact the world.

Our Niche

Fostering and developing products, solutions, and systems.

Our Core Values

• Lead with positivity and respect – We foster trust, optimism, and respect in every interaction.
• Compete as a team – We foster collaboration and teamwork, knowing we win together.
• Innovate with purpose – We create bold, lasting solutions that make a real impact.
• Inspire growth – We fuel the growth of people, businesses, and brands through bold ideas and relentless execution.
• Own it and deliver value – We take responsibility, act with clarity, and ensure our work creates real impact.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Product Design & Development

• Design and develop components, assemblies, and product concepts from ideation through production
• Create 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings in SolidWorks
• Contribute to and influence design decisions focused on performance, cost, durability, and manufacturability
• Participate in design reviews and continuous improvement across product lines

Engineering Analysis & Validation

• Perform engineering analyses, including FEA, tolerance stack‑ups, and material selection, to support design decisions
• Build and test prototypes to validate function and performance
• Analyze results and recommend design improvements
• Support third‑party testing to ensure performance and compliance

Manufacturing & Supplier Support

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams and suppliers on DFM/DFA initiatives
• Support and help execute prototype builds, pilot runs, and production launch
• Provide technical support for material selection, fabrication, and assembly processes

Code Compliance & Product Integrity

• Help ensure products meet applicable building codes and industry standards
• Assist in developing test plans and coordinating with third‑party labs as needed

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Management, Sales, Operations, and external stakeholders to define requirements and execute projects
• Own assigned projects and deliverables while managing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Communicate progress, risks, and solutions clearly across teams

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Competencies

• Achievement Focus – Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data.
• Attention to Detail – Demonstrates thoroughness in accomplishing a task; monitors details to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally and in written form; listens and informs others appropriately.
• Customer Focus – Identifies and prioritizes customer needs; responds promptly to customer needs; delivers on promises.
• Design – Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; applies design principles.
• Initiative – Volunteers; undertakes self‑development; takes independent actions and calculated risks.
• Innovation – Displays original thinking; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improvement.
• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; learns and applies new skills.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Project Management – Develops project plans; coordinates projects; manages project team activities.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work for quality.
• Quantity – Meets productivity standards; completes work in a timely manner.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; reports unsafe conditions.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback.
• Technical Expertise – Applies technical knowledge to solve problems; develops solutions to new challenges.
• Use of Technology – Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 3–7 years of product development or design engineering experience
• Experience taking products from concept through prototyping into production
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including parts, assemblies, and drawings
• Experience with FEA or similar analysis tools
• Knowledge of materials such as metals, polymers, and composites, and related manufacturing processes
• Ability to read and create engineering drawings and documentation
• Exposure to building products, structural systems, or outdoor consumer products is a plus

Certificates & Licenses

• None

Work Environment

The job operates primarily in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required personal protective equipment including steel toe shoes, hearing protection, and other PPE.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements. Light to moderate lifting is required.

Acknowledgements

The above job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change based on organizational needs and other factors.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.