Product Engineer

Wahl Clipper Corporation; West Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with profit sharing

Tuition support

Paid holidays

Job summary

Wahl Clipper Corporation seeks a Product Engineer to drive the entire product lifecycle from concept through production. You will lead cross-functional teams across R&D and Manufacturing to deliver high-quality grooming devices that meet performance targets, timelines, and regulatory requirements.

The role requires hands-on 3D CAD modeling, DoE/8D/5 Why problem-solving, and robust awareness of DFMEA, DVP&R, and tolerance analysis to ensure manufacturability and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field.
• Hands-on 3D CAD modeling experience.
• Experience leading engineering projects from concept through production.
• Experience translating user needs into engineering requirements and system-level trade-off analyses.
• Experience with DoE, 8D, and A3 problem-solving tools is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with engineering and manufacturing teams in international contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development of clippers, trimmers, and shavers to meet performance specs.
• Translate user requirements into engineering specs and perform trade-off analyses.
• Utilize 3D CAD modeling and collaborate with CAD designers to mature designs into drawings.
• Apply DFMEA, FEA, tolerance stack-up, and other tools to validate designs.
• Develop product specifications, BOMs, and testing documentation.
• Lead prototype and product testing per DVP&R, including electrical and reliability tests.
• Coordinate with R&D and Electrical Engineering to select blades, motors, PCBAs, and batteries.
• Ensure Stage Gate deliverables and design reviews for production readiness.
• Support tooling, fixtures, and gages development with Manufacturing.
• Ensure PPAP requirements in collaboration with Quality and Compliance.
• Travel up to 10% for engineering alignment and supplier communication.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Problem-solving

Communication

3D CAD modeling

DFMEA

DVP&R

Tolerance stack-up

FEA

Six Sigma

Trade-off analyses

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field

Tools

DFMEA

DVP&R

FEA

Job description

Wahl Empowers People To Be Their Best!

Design the Future of Innovation at Wahl Clipper

At Wahl Clipper, innovation isn't just a process-it's our legacy. For over 100 years, we've been shaping the future of grooming with precision, performance, and purpose. Now, we're looking for a Product Engineer who is ready to turn ideas into reality and bring next-generation products to life. In this role, you won't just design products, you'll lead the engineering journey from concept to production, collaborating across teams to deliver high-quality solutions that delight customers around the world.

This position may sit in the Sterling Headquarters location or our Rosemont, IL location.

What You'll Do

• Lead and execute new product development of clippers, trimmers and shavers meeting performance requirements to drive end user value.
• Responsible for translating user requirements into engineering specifications and performing trade-off analysis as required.
• Use of 3D CAD modeling for early concepts generation and working with CAD Designers for maturing the designs and creation of 2D detailed drawings.
• Applying engineering rigor, tools and techniques such as DFMEA, FEA, Tolerance Stack-Up in the creation, concept selection and validation of product designs.
• Develop engineering documentation such as Product Specifications, BOMs and reports.
• Plan, conduct, and document prototype and product testing following DVP&R process, including electrical, performance, safety, reliability, and quality evaluations.
• Lead collaborative efforts with R&D and Electrical Engineering teams to identify and/or design the right blades, motors, PCBAs and batteries.
• Responsible for executing engineering deliverables as defined in the Stage Gate process.
• Apply structured problem-solving six sigma tools such as DoE, 8D, 5 Why and A3 to resolve technical issues.
• Work with manufacturing and suppliers to optimize the design for molding, manufacturing and assembly (DFM & DFA).
• Develop risk mitigation plans for engineering deliverables to meet overall program timeline.
• Lead and facilitate design reviews, technical reviews, and production release meetings to confirm design feasibility and production readiness.
• Support the development of tooling, fixtures, gauges by working with Manufacturing.
• Responsible to meet PPAP quality requirements by working with the Quality team.
• Accountable for obtaining agency approvals such as UL, CE/EN by working with Compliance.
• International and domestic travel as necessary, up to 10%.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in electro-mechanical or mechanical product design.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience leading engineering projects from concept through production.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interface with individuals at all organizational levels, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated project management skills, leadership ability, and initiative.
• Broad knowledge of engineering materials and manufacturing processes, including plastics, casting, metal stamping, and machining.
• Experience working with integrating DC Motors, Li-On batteries and Electronic PCBAs into products is a plus.
• Hands on 3D CAD modeling experience required.
• Experience using engineering tools and methodologies such as DFMEA, DVP&R, tolerance stack-up analysis, and FEA required.
• Experience using six sigma and problem-solving tools such as DoE, A3 and 8D is preferred.
• Experience translating user needs into engineering requirements, and system level trade-off analyses is required.
• Experience collaborating effectively with engineering and manufacturing counterparts in Asian countries is preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, creative problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
• Experience with cutting elements is a plus.
• Ability to model company values of respect for people, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Core Competencies

• Action Oriented
• Collaboration
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Nimble Learning
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Values Differences

Why You'll Love Wahl Clipper

• Low-cost BCBSIL medical, dental, and vision plans
• A generous company-matched 401(k) and profit sharing
• Tuition support to fuel your learning
• Paid holidays and a vibrant, casual work environment

Additional Benefits

• A legacy of quality and innovation.
• A team that values your expertise and ideas.
• Opportunities to grow and contribute to meaningful projects.
• A culture built on respect, precision, and progress.