Product Design Engineer

Smiths Group • Springfield, MA

5d

About The Position

The Product Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, qualification, and continuous improvement of hydraulic and pneumatic hose assemblies, end fittings, and attachment processes, including crimping and swaging. The role ensures products meet performance, safety, and quality standards while supporting manufacturing efficiency and customer requirements.

The engineer designs components and assembly systems, develops specifications and manufacturing processes, creates CAD models and drawings, and defines inspection requirements. The position also supports product development from concept through production, conducts and oversees verification testing, analyzes failures and test data, and recommends design improvements.

The role provides technical support to production, assembly, quality, sales, customer service, distributors, and customers. It also contributes to troubleshooting, training, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, audits, PPAPs, and FMEA development. The position collaborates with procurement, planning, operations, engineering, and quality teams across multiple sites.

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 in 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.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Attention to detail and a precision engineering mindset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the 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 testing methods for fluid conveyance products, such as impulse, burst, and vacuum testing.
• Familiarity with ERP or 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, particularly 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, and manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Develop and validate analytical models using 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-testing pressures, media, and duration.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Work with sales and customers to define product requirements, identify matching existing products, and determine requirements for new products.
• Design tooling and fixturing, including leak-test tooling needed to fabricate assemblies.
• Develop and interpret design standards.
• 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 initiatives from concept through production.
• Develop and oversee product verification tests, including burst, impulse, pressure cycling, and leak testing.
• Perform product failure analysis and recommend design actions.
• Coordinate with internal and external testing laboratories.
• Analyze test data and implement design improvements.
• Develop engineering test plans and reports.
• Design and optimize crimping and swaging profiles and parameters, including diameter, compression force, and tooling geometry.
• Troubleshoot attachment issues and support production teams.
• 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.
• Collaborate on continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean and Six Sigma.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyze assembly tear-downs to determine root causes.
• Support audits, PPAPs, and FMEA development.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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