Senior Product Development Lead Engineer

Jobtailor; Duncan (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AFL is seeking a senior mechanical engineer to lead multiple product development projects from concept through manufacturing release. You will work with cross-functional teams to define specifications, schedules and requirements while ensuring quality and adherence to engineering standards.

The role requires hands-on design, tolerance analysis and the ability to drive manufacturing documentation and fitment validation. Strong communication and IP awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or similar technical discipline.
• Proven design and development experience for new products.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from concept through release.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define specs, plans and schedules.
• Ensure on-time delivery, quality and engineering leadership per metrics.
• Interface with Product Line Managers to shape project scope early.
• Direct design, drawings, tolerances and manufacturing fitments.
• Develop IP-aware designs in coordination with IP leadership.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Similar technical discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

ISO-9001 familiarity

Job description

• Lead one to several product development projects, depending on project scope and available resources.
• Collaborate with other project stakeholders to develop product specifications, requirements, project plans and schedules for complex development projects.
• Accountable for project delivery performance (schedule), quality (deliverables) and technical leadership (engineering principles and practices as well as engineering design oversight) via established performance metrics.
• Engage with Product Line Managers to ensure project scope is effectively developed early in the project lifecycle.
• Direct product design, detailing and fitment verifications.
• Direct development of manufacturing drawings and associated design documentation.
• Direct tolerance analysis and CAD model reviews to ensure proper fitment of parts within assemblies.
• Direct engineering prototype construction for design verification of fitment and performance testing.
• Define product testing requirements and plans based on industry standards and other relevant inputs.
• Direct post design verification testing analysis, as needed, to identify potential design improvement opportunities.
• Direct DFx principles (Design for Manufacturing, Design for Assembly, etc.).
• Direct DFMEA/PFMEA (Design/Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis).
• Interface with intellectual property (IP) counsel and AFL IP leadership to understand project IP landscape - directing the design to a satisfactory IP clearance position.
• Develop IP subject matter proficiency to for assigned projects.
• Interface with cross-functional project teams consisting of product management, application engineering, process and manufacturing engineering, quality, and development engineering during all phases of product development, including ramp-up and release to manufacturing.
• Gain and apply comprehensive understanding of fiber optic product installation, test and application methods to all new product development projects.
• Adhere to and promote the environmental, health & safety policies of AFL.
• Perform other project leadership tasks as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (or other similar technical discipline)
• Parametric solid modeling experience (SolidWorks preferred)
• 8+ years of technical experience conducting new product development
• Design experience with multiple manufacturing techniques (injection molding, sheet metal forming, machining, etc.)
• Substantial experience designing molded plastic parts
• Experience working within an ISO-9001 quality management system
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and teamwork skills
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Ability to lead new product development projects from concept through design, development, testing and Industrialization while following a formal stage-gate process using industry recognized project management practices
• Prior product development project experience – including being accountable for project schedule performance and quality of deliverables

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Hard Skills

• Product Development
• Design Experience With Manufacturing Techniques
• Molded Plastic Parts Design
• Tolerance Analysis
• CAD Model Reviews
• DFMEA/PFMEA
• Product Testing Requirements
• Engineering Prototype Construction
• Project Management Practices
• Stage-Gate Process

Soft Skills

• Effective Oral And Written Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Influencing Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Time Management