Product Design Engineer

Smiths Group•Springfield, MA

About The Position

The Product Design Engineer designs, develops, validates, qualifies, and continuously improves hydraulic and pneumatic hose assemblies, end fittings, and attachment processes, including crimping and swaging. The role ensures products meet performance, safety, quality, manufacturing, and customer requirements. The engineer develops product designs and specifications, analytical models, CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, inspection requirements, and manufacturing processes. The position supports new product development from concept through production, conducts and oversees product testing, analyzes test results and failures, and implements design improvements. It also provides hands-on technical support to manufacturing, quality, sales, customers, and distributors; develops assembly documentation and training; and contributes to continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, audits, PPAPs, and FMEAs. The role works with customers and cross-functional teams across multiple sites to define application requirements, resolve field and production issues, and improve products. Knowledge of stainless steel, particularly 300-series stainless steel, and polymers such as PTFE is identified as an asset.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in hose assembly design, fluid conveyance, or related mechanical systems.
Proficiency with 3D and 2D CAD software, such as NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Creo, or CATIA.
Strong understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and fluid dynamics fundamentals.
Experience with crimping and swaging processes, hose assembly manufacturing, and Design for Manufacturing principles.
Structured analytical and problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and a precision engineering mindset.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to write assembly procedures, train assemblers, and determine proficiency.
Hands-on troubleshooting and manufacturing support skills.
Project management and time management capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of SAE and ISO standards for fluid conveyance products, including hose assemblies, end fittings, swivel fittings, and couplings.
Experience with fluid-conveyance product testing methods, such as impulse, burst, and vacuum testing.
Familiarity with ERP and PLM systems.
Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience.
Background in aerospace, automotive, or industrial fluid conveyance products.
Strong knowledge of stainless steel and polymers such as PTFE.
Good understanding of 300-series stainless steel.

Responsibilities

Design hydraulic and pneumatic hose assembly components, end fittings, swivel fittings, couplings, and assembly systems.
Develop crimp and swage specifications, tooling, manufacturing and assembly processes, and analytical models involving metallic and non-metallic components.
Create 3D models, detailed 2D drawings, and bills of materials using CAD software.
Develop inspection requirements, including crimp and swage tolerances and proof-test pressure, media, and duration.
Ensure designs meet applicable industry standards and customer and regulatory requirements.
Work with sales and customers to develop product requirements, identify matching existing products, and determine needs for new products.
Design tooling and fixtures, including leak-test tooling, required to fabricate assemblies.
Define hose assembly performance requirements, including pressure, vacuum, temperature, vibration, and environmental conditions.
Conduct tolerance analysis, material selection, and stress and thermal evaluations; support new product development from concept through production.
Develop and oversee product verification testing, including burst, impulse, pressure cycling, and leak testing.
Perform product failure analysis, make design recommendations, analyze test data, implement design improvements, and develop engineering test plans and reports.
Design and optimize crimping and swaging profiles and parameters, troubleshoot attachment issues, support production teams, and standardize attachment specifications across product lines.
Provide technical support to production, assembly, quality, sales, and customer service teams.
Develop assembly instructions, work procedures, and training materials; train internal assemblers and distributors as needed.
Work with fabricating distributors to troubleshoot assembly issues and collaborate on Lean and Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives.
Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions; conduct assembly teardown and analysis to determine root causes.
Support audits, PPAPs, and FMEA development and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Engage with customers to understand application requirements and provide technical solutions.
Collaborate with Procurement, Planning, Operations, Engineering, and Quality teams across multiple sites.
Support field issues, warranty analysis, and product improvements.