Senior Product Development Engineer

Shape Corp.•Trenton, OH

10d

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Engineer will act as an Engineering liaison between customer teams and internal business unit and manufacturing teams. This role involves developing projects that meet specified customer requirements and expectations to win new business. The engineer will lead development projects by directing the Product Design & CAE staff, providing them with the latest background information, and developing initial material-neutral design direction and value stream maps. Responsibilities include analyzing CAE outputs, incorporating design for manufacturing (DFM) initiatives, establishing datum's and critical characteristics, and drafting/maintaining engineering documents. The role also involves procuring parts for prototypes, overseeing prototype builds, initiating physical test requests, providing on-site support for launches, and working with component suppliers. The engineer will participate in program management activities, apply mechanical theory and material properties to projects, develop component and system level product designs, interpret customer inputs, and manage product design timelines. Additionally, this role includes mentoring and coaching less senior Product Development Engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for degree.
Minimum of eight years prior experience in a product, process or manufacturing engineering role, preferably in a product development role.
Advanced proficiency in metallic and/or plastic manufacturing processes.
Prior experience with DFMEA and customer PPAPs.
Prior experience with vehicle packaging.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate and present effectively to internal and external customers.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong customer relationships.
Communicate Shape's new technologies to customers to drive sales opportunities.
Prior experience mentoring or coaching less experienced team members.
May have direct and/or indirect Product Designer reports.
Responsible for the work of others (direct and/or indirect).

Responsibilities

Act as Engineering liaison between customer teams and internal business unit and manufacturing teams.
Develop projects that meet specified customer requirements and expectation in order to win new business.
Lead development projects by directing the Product Design & CAE staff in day to day efforts.
Regularly provide the design department with the latest background information, e.g., CAD files, drawings, etc.
Develop initial material neutral design direction and value stream map (VSM).
Provide designs, background data, and all pertinent information to the CAE department for analysis set-up.
Analyze CAE outputs and determination of next steps.
Incorporate design for manufacturing (DFM) initiatives according to the Shape minimum process requirements during product design including leading development of component/assembly GD&T and tolerance stack-ups.
Establish datum's, critical & special characteristics and the development of SPC data points.
Draft and maintain applicable engineering documents (DFMEA, design 8D's, WERS, engineering changes, product development documents, etc.) specific to assigned projects.
Develop DVP&R and DFMEA and share during PFMEA development meetings.
Identify and approve all data for transfers on assigned projects.
Procure parts, cost and funding of rapid prototypes and mockups to support engineering development.
Oversee initial prototype builds at Shape manufacturing facilities and working with Shape plant personnel to establish acceptable part quality.
Initiate physical test requests as necessary.
Provide on-site support for all prototype builds and production launches.
Work with component suppliers as required to ensure all outsourced component designs meet Shape and customer requirements.
Participate as a member of the program management team supporting APQP and VA/VE activities.
Work within the Shape core manufacturing processes, Shape launch process, vehicle design packaging, and product performance knowledge methodologies.
Apply the fundamentals of mechanical theory, material properties, test protocols and basic manufacturing processes to daily projects.
Develop component and system level product designs utilizing engineering applications in accordance with customer requirements.
Interpret and understand customer inputs and communicate Shape outputs to customers.
Maintain effective communication with internal and external customers to meet development timelines.
Utilize up-front engineering practices to design products allowing efficient use of CAD & CAE resources.
Propose product design changes to customers based on Shape manufacturing capabilities and vehicle packaging.
Manage the product design timeline and provide updates to the internal and external customers.
Mentor and coach less senior Product Development Engineers.