Product Engineer II

Barber-Nichols Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ITAR compliance

Job summary

Barber-Nichols Inc. seeks a Product Engineer II to support and improve rotating machinery products across manufacturing, assembly, testing, RMA, and field service. You will create and revise 3D CAD models and 2D drawings per ASME Y14.5, maintain documentation, and mentor technicians.

Responsibilities include leading design changes, performing calculations, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and on-time delivery. Security clearance not required for this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent required.
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing.
• GD&T experience and high-compliance products desirable.
• Exposure to rotating machinery preferred.

Responsibilities

• Resolve technical challenges across manufacturing, assembly, testing and field support.
• Lead engineering assignments including redesigns to reduce costs and improve quality.
• Develop repair/overhaul plans for refurbishment and RMA processes.
• Provide program management for RMA and RCA projects.
• Support other engineering services across production projects.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Problem solving

Written communication

Mentoring

Time management

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ASME Y14.5

ECN management

Revision control

Job description

About Barber-Nichols
Barber-Nichols (BN) is a premier provider of custom turbomachinery solutions serving the Defense, Aerospace, Cryogenics, and Energy industries. Our team consists of industry leaders who collaborate closely with equally accomplished customers to deliver technologies that advance their markets and establish enduring partnerships. At BN, we foster a results-driven environment that values professional growth, rewards achievement, and supports innovation. From designing the blower for NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan to engineering critical components for the U.S. Navy’s MK-48 program, BN’s portfolio spans some of the most exciting and impactful projects in the world. For those seeking to contribute to impactful projects alongside a highly skilled team, BN offers an exceptional place to build your career.

Position Summary

The Product Engineer II is responsible for the support and improvement of legacy and new rotating machinery products. This role covers all production phases, including manufacturing, assembly, testing, Return Material Authorization (RMA), and field support for all Barber-Nichols products. Increasingly challenging assignments are completed with oversight by more senior engineers as necessary. This position also requires a strong foundation in design engineering, including the ability to create, revise, and manage detailed engineering drawings and models in support of product changes, documentation accuracy, and production readiness.

Key Results Areas

• Resolve technical challenges related to manufacturing, assembly, testing, and field support for defense, space, cryogenic, and advanced energy products:
  • Collaborate with program managers, machine operators, design engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, and technicians to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical deviations.
  • Participate with cross-functional teams to incorporate process improvements and corrective actions.
  • Conduct independent engineering analysis to support troubleshooting, evaluate the usability of non-conforming parts and assemblies, and ensure that product quality, functionality, and contractual requirements are maintained.
  • Contribute to the review/documentation of changes proposed by Customers, Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, and Suppliers.
  • Provide hands‑on technical support and mentorship to technicians and less experienced engineers.
• Communicate effectively with customers to provide technical guidance and address product deviations requiring customer approval. Responsible for preparing the technical portions of formal variance reports with minimal oversight.
• Own engineering documentation for moderately complex products:

• o Independently create and revise 3D CAD models and 2D drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5 and internal company standards.
• Maintain drawing packages to ensure documentation is up to date with current production practices and engineering changes.
• Participate in drawing change processes, including generating redlines, supporting Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), and ensuring traceability of design updates.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and senior engineering staff to resolve documentation-related issues efficiently.
• Lead engineering assignments including the analysis and re-design of existing products and components to reduce costs and/or improve quality:
  • Perform complex calculations, prepare technical data, and lead customer-facing reviews.
  • Compile relevant data from technical reports, standards, and manufacturer catalogs independently.
  • Support and lead technical activities such as component testing, data analysis, design tool verification, and process documentation.
• Develop repair and overhaul plans for products undergoing refurbishment or return material authorization (RMA) processes.
• Provide program management for RMA and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) projects, ensuring on-time delivery, customer communication, and successful project completion.
• Support other engineering services on production projects as needed, ensuring effective communication and teamwork across all engineering teams.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, an individual must possess the knowledge, training, experience, and abilities required.

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with GD&T and working with high-compliance products is highly desirable.
• Exposure to rotating machinery is preferred.

Other

• Ability and willingness to gain secret security clearance.
• Must be willing to work overtime as required.
• Travel up to 10% of working time.

Skills

• Ability to work cross-functionally within the organization and drive product improvements throughout the lifecycle.
• Strong proficiency in creating and updating 3D CAD models and 2D drawings to ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Familiarity with ECNs, redlines, and revision control processes in a configuration-managed environment.
• Engineering analysis utilizing formulas and calculations.
• Hands‑on troubleshooting with a practical, detail‑oriented mindset.
• Strong written communication skills, capable of producing clear and concise technical reports.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to effectively resolve challenges with internal teams and customers.
• Ability to work independently, plan, and implement objectives within established timelines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Willingness to work in a team-oriented culture and actively mentor junior engineers.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with company values.
• Ability and willingness to adhere to set policies and safety programs established by BN, clients, and regulatory agencies.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Barber-Nichols must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e., current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158.

Security clearance is not required for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Barber-Nichols is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by law.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $90,000. - $110,000. This range represent the anticipated minimum and maximum base + bonus for this position based upon a good faith and reasonable estimate. The final compensation for this position will be set based on the applicant’s qualifications (education, training and/or experience related to this role), and therefore, may fall outside the range shown, depending on the circumstances.