Senior R&D Engineer

H C DUKE & SON LLC • East Moline, IL

1d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior R&D Engineer leads the development of new technologies, products, and product improvements for commercial frozen treat equipment. The role owns product development from concept through commercialization, including concept development, system architecture, prototype design, validation testing, and commercialization activities that support growth of the product portfolio.

As a technical leader within the engineering organization, this position drives innovation initiatives and provides engineering direction across cross-functional teams. It combines hands-on engineering with system-level product development responsibility to deliver innovative, practical, and manufacturable solutions.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of engineering principles, product development methodologies, and system-level design practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and engineering initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid systems, and electromechanical product development.
• Proficiency with CAD software, including SolidWorks or similar design platforms.
• Ability to perform engineering analysis, product validation, testing, and advanced troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, tolerancing, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
• Ability to define technical requirements and translate concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical decisions across multiple functions.
• Ability to manage multiple technical projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of five years of engineering experience in product development, testing, manufacturing, or related technical roles.
• Experience with hands-on prototyping, fabrication, assembly, troubleshooting, or testing activities.
• Experience with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with laboratory testing and product validation.
• Experience with refrigeration systems, foodservice equipment, appliances, HVAC equipment, agricultural equipment, or other electromechanical products.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools, fabrication methods, or 3D printing.
• Familiarity with UL, NSF, CE, or similar regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Own projects from concept through commercialization, including system architecture, technical decision-making, validation activities, and cross-functional coordination.
• Lead hands-on prototyping, fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting to prove concepts and new technologies.
• Create and execute engineering test plans to evaluate product performance, reliability, food quality, safety, usability, and manufacturability.
• Develop, review, and approve CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of material, and engineering documentation.
• Lead technical investigations, root cause analysis, and problem-solving involving complex engineering challenges.
• Evaluate new technologies, materials, components, manufacturing methods, and supplier capabilities to support innovation and competitive differentiation.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Service, Regulatory, and Operations teams to ensure successful product implementation.
• Drive value engineering, design-for-manufacturability, design-to-cost, and product optimization initiatives.
• Support intellectual property development, invention disclosures, competitive benchmarking, and technology roadmap activities.
• Support certification, compliance, and agency approval activities, including UL, NSF, CE, and related standards.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineers, technicians, suppliers, and external development partners.
• Provide technical leadership and engineering direction without direct supervisory authority.

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored employee group term life insurance and AD&D.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Company HSA contribution for HDHP.
• Employee assistance program.
• Financial wellness services.
• Travel assistance.
• Annual discretionary 401k bonus.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Paid time off.
• Annual PPE reimbursement program.
• Voluntary medical insurance (PPO and HDHP with HSA).
• Prescription benefits.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision benefits.
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Additional voluntary life insurance and AD&D, including dependent coverage.
• Supplemental plans, including critical illness, accident insurance, and hospital indemnity.
• Group legal coverage and identity theft protection.
• 401k program with a company match.

What This Job Offers

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