Lead Product Engineer

Klein Tools•Mansfield, TX

About The Position

The Lead Product Engineer is a senior-level technical leadership role responsible for leading product design, development, improvement, project outcomes, and on-time delivery in the tool industry. The engineer evaluates product design and sustaining needs, manages projects with limited direction, and applies strong analytical and design skills across multiple subject areas. The role involves independent engineering decisions, innovation, technical coordination, and serving as a subject matter expert for at least one Klein Tools category. The Lead Product Engineer manages multiple medium- to high-difficulty projects within the phase-gate product development framework, coordinates priorities and action items, and works closely with Product Management, team leaders, business unit managers, executives, internal customers, vendors, and suppliers. The role also supports and mentors other engineers and teaches Klein’s new product development processes. The position requires a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution or program and at least five years of direct work experience in the area. Physical demands may include occasional standing, walking, sitting, handling tools or objects, reaching, pushing or pulling, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and using foot or leg controls. The employee may occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds; no one should lift more than 50 pounds alone. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, as well as adjusting focus.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution or program.
Five or more years of direct work experience in the area.
Excellent technical, analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
Solid understanding of new product development and new product introduction.
Broad knowledge of academic engineering principles and a basic understanding of business-related initiatives.
Demonstrated experience facilitating complex projects and solutions involving multiple interactions.
Conflict-resolution skills and demonstrated team leadership experience.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present technical analysis and financially based justifications to support decision-making at all organizational levels.
Ability to function amid changing priorities, goals, and direction, including stressful conditions and time constraints.
Strong team focus and ability to work with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

Determine and apply appropriate theoretical principles and practical approaches to design products and systems within program requirements.
Make independent decisions about engineering problems and methods.
Drive product improvements and contribute to the development of innovative solutions.
Serve as a subject matter expert for at least one Klein Tools category.
Represent the organization in vendor meetings to resolve questions and plan and coordinate work.
Proactively manage multiple medium- to high-difficulty projects.
Estimate and develop project timelines within the phase-gate product development framework.
Oversee and coordinate multiple medium- to high-priority action items, delegating work when necessary.
Perform work involving complex features.
Conduct advanced problem solving and detailed feasibility studies, including reviews of design and development plans, cost estimates, engineering proposals, and specifications.
Coordinate and schedule technical development activities and resolve engineering design and test problems.
Liaise with internal customers and vendor representatives to ensure design specifications meet end-user needs and requirements.
Communicate clearly and concisely for the intended audience and proofread work produced by lower-level engineers.
Develop high-level PowerPoint presentations explaining complex engineering concepts and project evaluations to internal stakeholders and outside suppliers.
Use advanced Excel functions, such as pivot tables and macros, to streamline data analysis and reporting.
Use complex 3D CAD modeling and 2D drafting to develop and document medium- to high-difficulty projects, and run advanced FEA studies with little to no consultation.
Review active projects and implement changes as needed to keep them on time.
Prioritize engineering projects in alignment with organizational needs and strategic goals.
Maintain close contact with associated team leaders, business unit managers, and the executive team.
Assist with providing direction and mentorship to engineers in the department and project teams.
Minimize negative financial impact at facilities during project implementation.
Teach Klein’s new product development processes.
Work closely with Product Management to develop new products and customer-desired feature sets.
Perform other duties as requested.