Design Engineer III - Aftermarket

Yakima Products, Inc • Lake Oswego, OR

9d

About The Position

The Design Engineer III - Aftermarket plays a critical role in developing innovative and reliable product designs tailored for the aftermarket automotive industry. This position focuses on enhancing existing product lines and creating new solutions that meet customer needs, regulatory standards, and manufacturing capabilities. The engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to ensure designs are optimized for cost, performance, and durability. A key outcome of this role is to deliver detailed engineering documentation and prototypes that support successful product launches and aftermarket serviceability. Ultimately, this role drives continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product value and customer satisfaction in the aftermarket segment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in product design engineering, preferably within the automotive aftermarket industry.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards.
• Experience with design validation methods including FEA, prototyping, and testing.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience with automotive aftermarket product development and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of electrical systems design and integration.
• Familiarity with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software and ERP systems.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine mechanical and electrical designs for aftermarket automotive components and systems.
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis, including tolerance stack-ups, material selection, and failure mode assessments.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and meet quality standards.
• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including CAD models, drawings, and specifications.
• Support prototype development, testing, and validation activities to verify design performance and reliability.
• Engage with suppliers and vendors to source components and resolve design-related issues.
• Implement design changes based on field feedback, warranty data, and customer requirements.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams to meet program milestones and deliverables.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior