Senior R&D Engineer

H C DUKE & SON LLC • East Moline, IL

1d • $90,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior R&D Engineer leads the development of new technologies, products, and product improvements for commercial frozen treat equipment. This role is responsible for concept development, system architecture, prototype design, validation testing, and product commercialization activities that support the growth of the Company's product portfolio. This position serves as a technical leader within the engineering organization, driving innovation initiatives and providing engineering direction across cross-functional teams. The role 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.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineers, technicians, suppliers, and external development partners.
• 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 activities.
• 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.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and engineering direction without direct supervisory authority
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of five (5) 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 preferred.
• Experience with refrigeration systems, foodservice equipment, appliances, HVAC equipment, agricultural equipment, or other electromechanical products preferred.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools, fabrication methods, or 3D printing preferred.
• Familiarity with UL, NSF, CE, or similar regulatory standards preferred.

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 out 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 activities 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.

Benefits

• Employer sponsored benefits: 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 benefit offerings: Medical insurance (PPO and HDHP with HSA)
• Prescription benefits
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Additional voluntary life insurance and AD&D, including dependent coverage
• Supplemental plans (Critical illness, accident insurance, 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