Product Designer Group Lead

Freistadt•Germantown, WI

About The Position

The Product Designer Group Lead is a primarily hands-on design role focused on developing CAD models and production-ready drawings that support new and existing products. Working in Creo and Catia, this role takes designs from concept through release while applying best practices in manufacturability, surfacing, and assembly design. In addition to design work, this role provides leadership for a small Product Design team, helping allocate work, reduce interruptions on larger projects, and ensure quality and consistency across designs. The role also includes CAD system administration, coordinating internally and externally to manage licensing, updates, standards, and user communication. This is not a full-time CAD admin role, but rather an opportunity to guide how CAD tools and processes evolve across the organization. OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE: You’re an experienced Product Designer with 5+ years of experience designing components and assemblies, ideally including injection molded or assembled products. Knowledge of electronics packaging and / or lighting technology is a plus! You are proficient in Creo and PDM systems (e.g., Windchill), have exposure to Catia (ideally), and are comfortable taking designs from concept through detailed, production-ready release with a clear understanding of manufacturing considerations. Surfacing experience is also a plus. You hold a two-year technical degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited technical institution (mechanical design focus preferred) and are interested in growing into technical leadership. You collaborate effectively across teams, communicate clearly, and enjoy balancing hands-on design work with mentoring others and supporting CAD standards and processes.

Requirements

Experienced Product Designer with 5+ years of experience designing components and assemblies, ideally including injection molded or assembled products
Proficient in Creo and PDM systems (e.g., Windchill)
Exposure to Catia (ideally)
Comfortable taking designs from concept through detailed, production-ready release with a clear understanding of manufacturing considerations
Hold a two-year technical degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited technical institution (mechanical design focus preferred)
Interested in growing into technical leadership
Collaborate effectively across teams, communicate clearly, and enjoy balancing hands-on design work with mentoring others and supporting CAD standards and processes

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of electronics packaging and / or lighting technology
Surfacing experience

Responsibilities

Executing advanced 3D Modeling using Creo and / or Catia.
Utilizing best practices in surfacing, molded part design, and design for assembly when developing part and assembly models.
Using Windchill PDM system to properly manage, organize, and vault design data.
Creating and delivering concepts, designs, layouts, illustrations, and detailed drawings in accordance with internal and industry best practices, standards, and guidance from Sr. Design Engineers.
Conducting component and assembly reviews including tolerance studies and communicating risks or potential issues to project stakeholders.
Generating and verifying accurate BOM’s, engineering changes, and GD&T.
Managing multiple concurrent projects and setting priorities to ensure timely completion of assignments.
Supporting prototype procurement, Engineering / sample builds, and hands on evaluations.
Utilizing business system software to locate information, maintain documentation, and execute changes.
Maintaining reliable operation of all CAD Systems to ensure protection of CAD data.
Collaborating with all internal and external supporting Team members to improve designs, optimize manufacturability, and minimize costs.
Teaching, coaching, and mentoring team members to continually elevate the Team’s technical capabilities.
Identifying skill gaps and coordinating appropriate technical development activities for the Team.
Facilitating regular CAD user group meetings to share updates, gather feedback, and drive improvements.
Providing training and support to users on CAD tools, PDM systems, and related software.
Reviewing Team’s work for accuracy, adherence to standards, and compliance with best practices.
Allocating Team’s resources based upon availability, skill set, and project priorities.
Developing, maintaining, and enhancing CAD standards, drawing guidelines, starter models, templates, and standard geometry libraries.
Coordinating with IT to plan hardware / software upgrades and oversee implementation.