Staff Mechanical Product Development Engineer

nVent; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off including volunteer time

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

nVent Schroff in San Diego, CA is hiring a Staff Mechanical Product Development Engineer. You will lead New Product Development initiatives for thermal‑mechanical solutions across Aerospace & Defense and commercial markets, guiding projects from concept through commercialization.

You will build 3D CAD models in SolidWorks, perform thermal and structural analyses, and collaborate with manufacturing to transition products to production using DFM/DFA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical product development / NPD.
• 5+ years of experience with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Experience taking products through full lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Strong knowledge of thermal, mechanical and FEA methodologies.
• Experience leading build validation, testing, and root cause analysis.
• Strong project management skills across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with customers.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (AS9100, ISO 13485) preferred.
• US Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15.

Responsibilities

• Guide NPD projects from concept through production launch.
• Build and develop innovative thermal-mechanical products and enclosures.
• Create 3D CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing docs using SolidWorks.
• Perform thermal, mechanical, and structural analyses to optimize performance.
• Lead build reviews, DFMEA, root cause investigations, testing, and validation.
• Manage project timelines, priorities, risks, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to transition new products to production using DFM/DFA.
• Support prototype builds and provide hands-on engineering support.
• Drive continuous improvement through redesigns, cost reductions and quality improvements.
• Collaborate with customers, sales, product management and operations to identify opportunities.
• Support NPI, product launches, and technical training for collaborators.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor without direct managerial responsibility.

Skills

SolidWorks

Thermal analysis

Mechanical analysis

FEA

Project management

Technical leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

DFMEA

Job description

We’re looking for people who put their innovation to work to advance our success – and their own. Join an organization that ensures a more secure world through connecting and protecting our customers with inventive electrical solutions.

WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE IN THIS POSITION:

As a Staff Mechanical Product Development Engineer at nVent Schroff, you will play a key role in developing innovative thermal-mechanical solutions that support mission-critical electronics infrastructure across Aerospace & Defense and commercial markets. You'll lead New Product Development (NPD) initiatives from concept through commercialization, helping bring new technologies to market while collaborating with customers, engineering teams, manufacturing, and business leaders. This is an opportunity to combine hands‑on engineering, technical leadership, and product innovation in a highly collaborative environment where your ideas and expertise will directly influence the future of our product portfolio.

You will:

• Guide New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept through production launch, ensuring products satisfy performance, quality, reliability, and customer requirements.
• Build and develop innovative thermal-mechanical products and enclosure solutions for demanding applications.
• Build 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation using SolidWorks.
• Perform thermal, mechanical, and structural analysis to optimize product performance and support build decisions.
• Lead build reviews, risk assessments, DFMEA activities, root cause investigations, testing, and product validation efforts.
• Manage project timelines, priorities, risks, and deliverables while driving projects to successful completion.
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to transition new products from building into production using DFM and DFA standard processes.
• Support prototype builds and provide hands‑on engineering support during product development and launch activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through redesigns, cost reduction efforts, quality improvements, and performance enhancements.
• Collaborate with customers, sales, product management, and operations teams to identify new opportunities and solve complex technical challenges.
• Support New Product Introductions (NPI), product launches, and technical training for internal and external collaborators.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, providing guidance and influencing engineering decisions across the team without direct managerial responsibility.

You have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical product development, component creation, and/or New Product Development, preferred.
• Over 5 years of experience working with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Experience taking products through the complete product lifecycle, from concept and build through prototyping, manufacturing, and launch.
• Strong knowledge of thermal analysis, mechanical analysis, and FEA methodologies.
• Experience leading build validation, testing, root cause analysis, and problem‑solving activities.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and work effectively across functions.
• Experience leading technical projects and influencing outcomes across cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience working directly with customers and collaborators.
• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment preferred (e.g., AS9100, ISO 13485, or similar).
• Experience with thermal management, electronics cooling, heat transfer applications, or enclosure systems preferred.
• Experience with brazed assemblies, material selection, thermal considerations, and manufacturability concepts preferred.
• Experience supporting Aerospace & Defense, electronics, industrial, or infrastructure‑related products preferred.
• All candidates must be a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15.

We have:

Our San Diego, CA facility is an ITAR‑controlled site. All candidates must be a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15.

A dynamic global reach with diverse operations around the world that will stretch your abilities, provide plentiful career opportunities, and allow you to make an impact every day nVent is a leading global provider of electrical connection and protection solutions. We believe our inventive electrical solutions enable safer systems and ensure a more secure world. We design, manufacture, market, install and service high performance products and solutions that connect and protect some of the world’s most sensitive equipment, buildings and critical processes. We offer a comprehensive range of systems protection and electrical connections solutions across industry‑leading brands that are recognized globally for quality, reliability and innovation. Our principal office is in London and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis. Our robust portfolio of leading electrical product brands dates back more than 100 years and includes nVent CADDY, ERICO, HOFFMAN, ILSCO, SCHROFF and TRACHTE. Learn more at www.nvent.com.

Commitment to strengthen communities where our employees live and work We encourage and support the philanthropic activities of our employees worldwide Through our nVent in Action matching program, we provide funds to nonprofit and educational organizations where our employees volunteer or donate money Core values that shape our culture and drive us to deliver the best for our employees and our customers. We’re known for being: Innovative & adaptable Dedicated to absolute integrity Focused on the customer first Respectful and team oriented Optimistic and energizing Accountable for performance

Benefits to support the lives of our employees Pay Transparency

nVent’s pay scale is based on the expected range of base pay for this job and the employee’s work location. Employee pay within this range will be based on a combination of factors including knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, education, and performance. Where federal, state, or local minimum wage requirements exist, employee pay will comply. Compensation Range: $115,500.00 - $214,500.00 Depending on the position offered, employee may be eligible for other forms of compensation, such as annual incentives.

Benefit Overview

At nVent, we value our people and their health and well-being. We provide a broad benefits package with meaningful programs for eligible full‑time employees that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans along with flexible spending accounts
• short‑term and long‑term disability benefits
• critical illness
• accident insurance and life insurance
• A 401(k) retirement plan
• an employee stock purchase plan — both include a company match
• tuition reimbursement
• caregiver
• personal and parental leave
• back‑up care services
• paid time off including volunteer time
• a well‑being program
• and/or legal & identity theft protection

At nVent, we connect and protect our customers with inventive electrical solutions. People are our most valuable asset. Inclusion and diversity means that we celebrate and encourage each other’s authenticity because we understand that uniqueness sparks growth.

#LI-HYBRID #LI-JH1

At nVent, we are committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national, federal, state or local law.