Sr Product Dev Engineer

Hutchinson • Grand Rapids, MI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Engineer (PDE) is responsible for the detailed development of products and systems to meet customer functional and cost requirements. This role utilizes physical test and analytical methods to support design direction, leads the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) process, and serves as the main line of technical communication with customers, sales, and other departments. The position also involves encouraging applied research and development, fostering innovation, and coaching engineering team members. The Senior PDE participates in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and collaborates with global colleagues for benchmarking and knowledge sharing. Continuous evaluation of designs and manufacturing processes for value analysis is also a key aspect of this role.

Requirements

• Minimum BS in Engineering or equivalent and five to ten years of related experience.
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, Sales and other plant/office personnel.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good computer skills.
• Knowledge of processes used at Hutchinson to manufacture their products.
• Understand manufacturing and material requirements for ductile iron castings, metal stampings, aluminum die castings, plastic injection, rubber molding and metal finishers (coatings), etc.
• Understand how to develop detailed designs, establishing prints and specifications, developing prototypes, and specifying tests for validation and a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of engineering methods such as FEA, DFM, DOE, APQP, FMEA, DVP, 8D problem solving and DOE.
• Proficient Microsoft Office Software.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and process several abstract and concrete variables.
• Must be able to assess the accuracy and usefulness of the analysis performed.
• Must be capable of managing product development programs with limited supervision.
• Must be a self-starter, organized and dedicated, with good record keeping skills.
• Must have the ability to accept and cope with restrictive time frames and unpredictable problems.

Nice To Haves

• CAD software such as SolidWorks

Responsibilities

• Knowledge and practice of Hutchinson’s Health, Safety, and Environmental policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Detailed development of a product or system to meet customer’s functional and cost requirements, fully utilizing physical test and analytical methods to support design direction.
• Responsible for detailed design, establishing prints and specifications, developing prototypes, and specifying tests.
• Direct FEA workflow to produce a robust design that meets the customer’s functional and reliability requirements.
• Lead Design for Manufacturing (DFM) process on all projects from RFQ to Production Launch to insure design robustness meets production needs.
• Encourage applied research and development with the engineering team and foster product and process innovation.
• Coach and develop the engineering skills of Engineers and Technicians within the team.
• Cooperatively work with the Application Team Leader to develop team objectives and goals and to jointly manage the team to achieve these goals.
• Participates in the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) team including the review of issues related to: timing, customer requirements, components, suppliers, molds, production processes, product costs, etc.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other regions to benchmark latest development and industry trends and share technical product knowledge.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking on targeted market segments following market trends.
• Continuously evaluates designs, manufacturing processes and applies value analysis to increase robustness, reduce material and labor costs while also improving product quality.
• Act as the main line of technical communication with the customer, Hutchinson sales and with other Hutchinson departments.
• Responsible for completing tasks of all lower position levels and tasks assigned by Management.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Participates in, understands, supports, and adheres to all Safety and Quality policies and requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Comprehensive Health Benefits (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
• Company-Paid Coverage (Long-Term Disability, Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D Insurance)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO policies that support personal time, holidays, and overall well-being)
• 401(k) retirement plan, featuring an employer match
• Global Opportunities & Local Impact

What This Job Offers

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