Sustaining Product Engineer

Optomec Inc.; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Optomec Inc. is seeking a Sustaining Product Engineer in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This role focuses on ensuring the stability and reliability of existing products while identifying opportunities for improvements. Responsibilities include developing processes to enhance product sustainability and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to tackle product issues.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and 3-5 years of relevant experience, particularly with SolidWorks. This position is critical for extending the useful life of the company's product portfolio.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in product design or sustaining engineering.
• Ability to identify potential product risks and issues.
• Experience in developing processes to improve product life cycle.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement processes for product sustainability.
• Collaborate with suppliers and teams to resolve issues.
• Collect and analyze data on product performance.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication skills

Creativity

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

The Sustaining Product Engineer ensures that existing products remain stable, reliable, and manufacturable over their intended lifespan. They ensure the company’s mature product portfolio continues to meet customer expectations. This role acts as the technical expert of mature products, continually reviewing avenues to extend useful life. This often involves finding ways to improve performance, source alternate componentry or reduce manufacturing costs without initiating a full-scale product redesign. They may also recommend obsolescence of products beyond their sustainable life.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement processes and systems to ensure product sustainability and reliability.
• Identify and mitigate potential product risks and issues in design, manufacture and componentry.
• Work to further the development of the change management process.
• Collaborate with suppliers, as well as cross‑functional teams to resolve product issues and improve product design.
• Collect and analyze data to monitor product performance and make recommendations for improvement.
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce product failures and improve product life cycle.
• Participate in Design for Excellence processes for all new product introductions (NPI).

Key Performance Indicators

• Cost improvement initiatives
• Yield improvement
• Product life‑cycle improvements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in product design, sustaining engineering or related role.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to think creatively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with SolidWorks required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Highly computer literate.
• Adept at comprehending technical specifications, electrical schematics, etc.
• Works well alone or as a part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.