Product Development Engineer

Freudenberg•Cleveland, GA

About The Position

This role focuses on designing product solutions, managing development activities, and ensuring product performance and manufacturability. The engineer will be responsible for concept development, design investigations, simulations, and testing, while also supporting product launches and providing technical leadership to internal and external stakeholders. The position involves collaborating with customers and suppliers, analyzing product failures, and participating in continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field required.
Product design or product development experience required.
Ability to conceptualize mechanical components, assemblies, and component interactions.
Knowledge of machine dynamics, strength requirements, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, materials, wear, dimensions, weight, and service life considerations.
Ability to assess manufacturing feasibility based on process knowledge and economic considerations.
Ability to prepare and check engineering drawings and data records, including the application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and technical communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional team environment.
Ability to work independently, manage conflicting priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to make sound decisions, influence key stakeholders, and adapt to change and ambiguity.
Creative, organized, data-driven, and proactive approach to problem-solving.
Ability to work overtime as business needs require.
Travel to customers, suppliers, and other FNST facilities as required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or another technical field preferred.
Automotive product development experience preferred.
Experience designing products with rubber, thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, or related polymer materials, including knowledge of associated manufacturing processes, preferred.
Experience using 3D CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Siemens NX (UG), CATIA, or similar programs to create and modify product designs, assemblies, and engineering drawings preferred.
Knowledge of engineering tools such as finite element analysis (FEA), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA).
Knowledge of automotive product development processes, including Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Verification (DV) testing, Product Validation (PV) processes, and customer-specific requirements preferred.

Responsibilities

Design product solutions within the approved framework and coordinate development activities.
Modify existing designs and components to meet evolving product performance and application requirements.
Manage assembly functionality and installation requirements while balancing project timelines and future product development needs.
Develop and evaluate product concepts considering functional, material, manufacturing, and cost requirements.
Conduct design investigations considering functionality, packaging, materials, manufacturability, and overall product performance.
Check drawings and data records for accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation.
Perform simulations and engineering calculations for strength, service life, wear, dimensions, weight, and other applicable design factors.
Evaluate benchmarking tests and apply findings to product concepts and development decisions.
Conduct design verification and analysis, validation testing, return investigations, and product and process improvement projects.
Apply analytical tools such as FEA, DFMEA, DFSS, and DFM/DFA to assess risk and optimize product designs.
Develop creative concepts, evaluate technical feasibility, and conduct risk assessments for new or modified products and processes.
Prepare product development design packages for new or modified products.
Design, prototype, and assemble new or modified mechanical components for development and testing activities.
Analyze test results against design specifications and test objectives, and document conclusions.
Support product launches through design, prototyping, testing, APQP, PPAP, and production readiness activities.
Provide technical leadership and support to customers, suppliers, commercial teams, and other internal functions.
Work directly with customer product development teams to address technical requirements and development priorities.
Analyze components returned by customers, identify the root causes of failures, and prepare technical reports for internal and external customers.
Support resolution of product and process quality concerns through structured problem-solving methods.
Participate in GROWTTH and Lean activities, including Kaizen events, 5S activities, value analysis and value engineering initiatives, and program management workshops.
Prepare and present technical presentations, proposals, and reports with supporting data for internal and external audiences.
Manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting agreed deadlines.
Travel to customers, suppliers, and other FNST facilities as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.