Product Engineer

Product Design Engineer Position Summary The New Product Engineer is responsible for leading the engineering development of innovative commercial Food & Beverage equipment from concept through product launch. This role works cross-functionally with Product Management, Marketing, Industrial Design, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales to develop products that meet customer needs, industry regulations, and company growth objectives. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with experience in product development, strong project management skills, and a passion for bringing innovative products to market. Key Responsibilities • Lead engineering efforts for new product development projects from concept through commercial launch. • Collaborate with Product Management to translate Voice of Customer (VOC) into product requirements and engineering specifications. • Design and develop commercial food service equipment using sound engineering principles focused on performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost. • Create 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical documentation. • Develop and evaluate prototypes through laboratory and field testing. • Conduct design reviews, Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and risk assessments throughout the development process. • Manage engineering timelines and deliverables to support new product launch schedules. • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure products are optimized for efficient production and assembly. • Work with Supply Chain to identify and qualify components and suppliers while driving cost reduction initiatives. • Support product validation, certification, and compliance with applicable UL, NSF, DOE, EPA, CSA, CE, and ENERGY STAR® requirements. • Coordinate engineering changes and product improvements after launch based on customer feedback and field performance. • Participate in value engineering projects to improve product quality, reliability, and profitability. • Provide technical support to Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Manufacturing teams. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline. • 3–8 years of experience in product design or new product development, preferably within the commercial Food & Beverage equipment industry. • Experience managing multiple product development projects simultaneously. • Proficiency with SolidWorks or other 3D CAD software. • Knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, welding, castings, plastics, electrical components, and manufacturing processes. • Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA). • Experience creating engineering documentation including BOMs, engineering change orders (ECOs), and technical specifications. • Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. • Strong communication and project management abilities. Preferred Qualifications • Experience developing cooking, holding, refrigeration, beverage, or countertop foodservice equipment. • Working knowledge of electrical systems, controls, gas systems, refrigeration systems, or thermal engineering. • Experience with stage-gate product development processes. • Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies. • Experience working with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Key Competencies • Product Innovation • New Product Development (NPD) • Mechanical Design • Project Management • Cross-Functional Leadership • Customer Focus • Design for Manufacturability (DFM) • Problem Solving • Continuous Improvement • Cost Optimization Success Measures • Successfully launch new products on schedule and within budget. • Deliver products that meet customer expectations for performance, quality, and reliability. • Improve time-to-market through effective project management and collaboration. • Reduce manufacturing costs through value engineering and design optimization. • Support company growth by developing innovative products that expand market share and strengthen the product portfolio.