Lead Product Engineer

ZAH Group•Mansfield, TX

About The Position

The Lead Product Engineer is a senior-level engineering professional who leads the design, development, and improvement of products and serves as a key technical expert. This technical leadership role is accountable for product-development outcomes and on-time delivery in the tool industry. The engineer evaluates information to develop options for product design, sustaining activity, and project management, then implements solutions with limited direction. The role requires strong analytical and design skills across multiple subject areas. The engineer applies theoretical principles and practical design approaches, independently resolves engineering problems, advances product improvements, and serves as a subject matter expert in at least one Klein Tools category. The position manages multiple medium- to high-difficulty projects, coordinates teams and vendors, maintains timelines within the phase-gate product-development framework, and mentors other engineers. It also works closely with Product Management and internal and external stakeholders to develop products and meet user needs. The role requires a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution or program and at least five years of direct experience. The employee must have strong technical, analytical, planning, organizational, communication, and leadership skills, and be able to work amid changing priorities, time constraints, and stressful conditions. Physical demands include occasionally standing, walking, sitting, handling tools or objects, reaching, pushing or pulling, climbing stairs, balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, using foot or leg controls, talking, and hearing. The employee may occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds; no one should lift more than 50 pounds alone. Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree 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 presenting technical analyses and financial 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.
Ability to use advanced Excel functions, including pivot tables and macros.
Ability to perform complex 3D CAD modeling, 2D drafting, and advanced FEA studies with little to no consultation.
Ability to occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds; no one should lift more than 50 pounds alone.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Determine and execute appropriate theoretical principles and practical approaches to design products and systems within program requirements.
Make independent decisions on 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 build project timelines within the phase-gate product-development framework.
Oversee and coordinate multiple medium- to high-priority action items, delegating work when needed.
Perform work involving complex features.
Conduct detailed feasibility studies for proposed products or systems, including reviewing 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 vendors to ensure design specifications meet end-user needs and requirements.
Communicate clearly and concisely to suit the audience, and proof the work of lower-level engineers.
Develop high-level PowerPoint presentations explaining 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.
Create complex 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, and run advanced FEA studies with little to no consultation.
Review active projects and implement changes as needed to keep them on schedule.
Prioritize engineering projects in line with organizational needs and strategic goals.
Maintain close contact with team leaders, business unit managers, and the executive team.
Help direct and mentor other engineers within the department and on project teams.
Minimize negative financial impact at facilities during project implementation.
Teach Klein Tools' NPD processes.
Work closely with Product Management to develop new products and customer-desired feature sets.
Perform other duties as requested.