Technical Product Engineer - Powersports, Global Mobility

Gates Corporation; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Gates is seeking a Product Engineer - Powersports in Denver to support development and maturation of new product and process technologies bridging early-stage innovation and commercialization.

The role involves working with internal teams and external suppliers to prototype, test, and validate concepts, while reducing technical risk and preparing technologies for transfer to product development and operations teams. Experience in powersports or mechanical systems is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Materials/Manufacturing/Aerospace or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of engineering experience in product development, advanced development, R&D, manufacturing/process development, testing, or related roles.
• Experience supporting engineering projects involving prototyping, validation, process development, or product improvement.
• Demonstrated project management experience coordinating technical tasks, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop new technologies, materials, components, and manufacturing processes from concept through feasibility validation.
• Prototype, test, analyze, and validate concepts to reduce risk and support commercialization.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to transfer validated technologies to product development and operations.
• Manage development projects with scope, timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototyping

Engineering problem solving

Communication skills

Cycling product interest

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD software

3D modeling tools

Job description

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Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

#LI-GW1

Long Description

At Gates, we welcome challenges, celebrate hard work, and continually seek new talent to join our global company. Our Global Mobility group in Denver is looking for a Product Engineer - Powersports. This role is responsible for supporting the development and maturation of new product and process technologies that bridge early-stage innovation and downstream product commercialization. The Technical Product Engineer will work cross-functionally with internal teams and external suppliers to evaluate, prototype, test, and validate new concepts, materials, components, and manufacturing processes. This role focuses on reducing technical risk, proving feasibility, and preparing technologies for transfer to product development, operations, and commercialization teams. This position supports Product initiatives across Mobility and Powersports products and systems, including development of enabling materials, components, and manufacturing methods that can ultimately become commercial products. Please review below to see if this might be the right opportunity for you.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Technology and Product Development

• Support the development of new technologies, materials, components, and manufacturing processes from concept through feasibility validation.
• Evaluate technical concepts through prototyping, testing, analysis, and experimentation.
• Assist in translating early-stage ideas into structured engineering development plans and actionable workstreams.
• Contribute to the creation of design guidelines, technical requirements, and engineering documentation that support future product development and commercialization.
• Support design changes, product enhancements, and concept development activities related to new Mobility products and technical solutions.

Supplier and Process Development

• Work with external suppliers and internal manufacturing partners to explore and develop new process capabilities.
• Support feasibility studies for new manufacturing methods, including prototype trials, process assessments, and capability evaluations.
• Help identify technical risks, manufacturability concerns, and key process variables associated with new technologies.
• Conduct process-related evaluations to support cost, performance, and manufacturability improvements.
• Document development learnings, process constraints, and critical-to-quality requirements to support successful handoff.
• Develop concepts, prototypes, and test articles to assess performance, durability, and manufacturability.
• Perform design reviews, tolerance assessments, and design-for-manufacturing studies on new concepts and development projects.
• Investigate the impact of design tolerances and process variation on part and system performance.
• Collaborate with product development teams to ensure new technologies align with application requirements and future commercialization needs.
• Support engineering evaluation of inspection methods, validation approaches, and product performance criteria.

Testing and Validation

• Design and execute test plans to evaluate technical feasibility, product performance, and process robustness.
• Analyze test results and communicate findings, conclusions, and recommended next steps.
• Support root-cause investigations and engineering problem solving during development activities.
• Help define readiness criteria for transferring proven technologies into product development and commercialization pipelines.
• Assist in confirming that developed concepts and processes are ready for downstream scaling and industrialization.

Project Management and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Manage assigned development projects by tracking scope, timelines, deliverables, risks, and action items.
• Coordinate activities across engineering, sourcing, quality, operations, product management, and external suppliers to ensure projects progress effectively.
• Maintain project plans and provide regular communication on status, priorities, risks, and key decisions.
• Drive follow-up and accountability across stakeholders to support execution of development milestones and handoff activities.
• Support structured transfer of validated technologies into downstream product development and commercialization teams.

Assist in confirming that developed concepts and processes are ready for downstream scaling and industrialization

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance to new associates

Requirements and Preferred Skills

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of relevant engineering experience in product development, advanced development, R&D, manufacturing/process development, testing, or related technical roles.
• Experience supporting engineering projects involving prototyping, validation, process development, or product improvement.
• Demonstrated project management experience coordinating technical tasks, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholders.
• Experience working cross-functionally to drive projects forward and communicate status, risks, and priorities.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications; GD&T experience is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with external suppliers or technical development partners.
• Exposure to new product development, technical product development initiatives, or technology transfer activities.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks or similar 3D modeling tools.
• Familiarity with DFM, DOE, process capability studies, tolerance analysis, or root-cause problem solving.
• Exposure to manufacturing technologies such as metal forming, polymer processing, or related process development environments.
• Experience in powersports, automotive, or similar mechanical systems.
• Passion for bicycles or cycling products, with a strong interest in applying engineering solutions to real-world riding, durability, efficiency, and performance applications.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong engineering fundamentals in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing-related disciplines.
• Effective project management skills, including planning, organization, prioritization, timeline management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and workstreams simultaneously while maintaining focus on quality and execution.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly convey technical progress, risks, and next steps to stakeholders.
• Hands-on problem-solving ability in prototyping, testing, validation, and process development.
• Curiosity and willingness to understand how products are designed, built, validated, and commercialized.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with internal teams and external partners.
• Practical understanding of engineering tradeoffs, manufacturability, and process feasibility.
• Interest in bicycles and cycling products, with an appreciation for how engineering decisions impact rider experience, durability, efficiency, and performance.

PAY & BENEFITS

• Full-Time
• Salary Range: $77,000 - $90,000
• Not Bonus Eligible
• Relocation is not provided
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options: benefits beginonthe first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation + 11 holidays (9 scheduled & 2 floating) + 8 sick days. All vacation days are accrued
• If they are in Band 16+ (Director+) state - Eligible for Flexible Time Off
• 401(k): 3% company contribution and additional 3% company match
• Tuition Reimbursement

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and fingers to work with objects, tools, or controls; and use office equipment including computers, telephones, and/or copiers/scanners. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in Colorado, Gates is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation range is specific to the State of Colorado and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.