Position: Senior NPD Project Engineer – Mechanical Engineer
Location: Bolingbrook, IL
Duration: DIRECT HIRE – FULL TIME
Summary:
Looking for an experienced Senior NPD Project Engineer – Mechanical to lead and support the development of innovative products through cross-functional collaboration. In this role, you will be responsible for managing key phases of the New Product Development (NPD) process, ensuring successful product realization from concept through production while meeting quality, cost, and schedule objectives.
This position requires strong mechanical design expertise, project management capabilities, and the ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers.
Skills/Experience Needed:
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in mechanical engineering design and product development.
- Experience working on technically complex and innovative engineering projects.
- Proven experience managing engineering projects within a New Product Development (NPD) environment.
Technical Skills
- Strong proficiency in: 3D Parametric CAD Modeling, Mechanical Design, Mechanism Design, Linkages, Springs, Statics and Dynamics, Material Properties
- Experience performing: Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Mechanical, Thermal, and Multi-Physics simulations, Design feasibility studies
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes including: Casting, Machining, Molding, Stamping, Forming
- Familiarity with Stage Gate Product Development methodology.
- Experience with:
- DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
- DOE (Design of Experiments)
- GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)
- Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis
- Ability to create technical reports, engineering standards, and technical documentation.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical standards.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Comfortable using hand and power tools when required.
Preferred (Nice to have): Experience with PTC Creo (Pro/ENGINEER).
Responsibilities:
Product Development & Engineering
- Lead assigned phases of the new product development process from concept through product launch.
- Design and develop new products and subassemblies using sound engineering principles.
- Perform engineering analysis to validate mechanical designs and optimize product performance.
- Create, build, and test prototype components and assemblies.
- Develop project test plans and oversee internal and external validation testing.
- Review test data to ensure compliance with engineering requirements, specifications, and pre-test calculations.
- Conduct formal root cause analysis and troubleshooting for new and existing products and manufacturing processes.
- Ensure designs comply with applicable engineering specifications, standards, and quality requirements while promoting error-proof assembly.
Project Management
- Plan, coordinate, and manage low-complexity engineering projects with minimal supervision.
- Develop project schedules and monitor progress against timelines.
- Prepare project budgets and estimate resource requirements.
- Support Product Realization Stage Gate activities and documentation.
- Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet performance objectives.
Design & Documentation
- Develop and maintain engineering documentation including: Test reports, Engineering standards, Material specifications, Technical documentation, Project records
- Maintain CAD models, engineering databases, and design libraries.
- Participate in engineering drawing reviews prior to manufacturing release.
- Approve applicable engineering drawings for production.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Sales, and Marketing teams throughout the product lifecycle.
- Collaborate with suppliers for component selection, qualification, and approval.
- Engage with customers to understand technical requirements and resolve design or manufacturing challenges.
- Provide technical guidance to engineers, designers, and technicians.
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