Sr. Specialist Engineer - Bolted Joints

Polaris•Wyoming, MN

17h

About The Position

The Senior Specialist Engineer for Bolted Joints serves as the technical lead and subject matter expert for fasteners and bolted joint design within Off-Road Vehicles, with broader influence on fastener strategy and standardization across Polaris. The role provides technical leadership in fastener selection, joint design, and problem-solving, collaborating with engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, service, and supplier partners. It translates complex data and engineering findings into clear recommendations and builds alignment across a global, matrixed organization. The position owns standards, tools, and practices that improve bolted joint performance and fastener commonality across products and programs. The role leads fastener standardization and governance, maintains the Polaris standard fastener library, and develops and improves design guidelines, engineering standards, analysis tools, standard work, and supporting technical documentation. It also provides technical leadership to the Polaris Engineering Critical Peer Team for Bolted Joints and Fasteners, leads cross-functional improvement initiatives, and mentors engineers. Domestic and international travel to engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and technology partner locations is required. The position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
At least 5 years of related product design, mechanical engineering, or systems engineering experience.
Working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, failure mode and effects analysis, dimensional tolerance analysis, engineering drawings, and their application to fastener engineering standards.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical data, exercise sound engineering judgment, and develop data-driven recommendations.
Experience using 3-D computer-aided design systems.
Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and build alignment across cross-functional, matrixed, and global organizations without direct authority.
Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, organizational skills, and ability to manage priorities independently.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally to engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and technology partner locations.
Not eligible for sponsorship.
Former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Creo.
Experience with Power BI or a similar data visualization tool.
An advanced degree.
Experience with fasteners and bolted joint applications.
Knowledge of fastener mechanics, joint behavior, clamp load, coefficient of friction, fastener strength, and torque-tension relationships.
Experience with bolted joint analysis and validation methods, including ultrasonic measurement, torque-to-failure testing, and Skidmore testing.
Experience with Windchill or a similar product lifecycle management system.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary technical authority for fasteners and bolted joints, resolving complex issues across new product development and current production.
Analyze complex technical data and translate findings into actionable recommendations for engineering, program, manufacturing, and organizational leaders.
Evaluate deviations, drawing changes, validation activities, and other engineering changes affecting fastener or bolted joint performance, and provide technically sound recommendations.
Review and approve bolted joint test requests, new fastener part numbers, drawings, and related technical requirements.
Lead fastener standardization and governance, including developing and maintaining the Polaris standard fastener library to improve commonality across products and programs.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve bolted joint and fastener design guidelines, engineering standards, analysis tools, standard work, and supporting technical documentation.
Provide technical leadership on the Polaris Engineering Critical Peer Team for Bolted Joints and Fasteners, advancing alignment, knowledge sharing, and engineering practices.
Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives and influence teams across functions, product groups, sites, and countries to advance bolted joint performance, standardization, and business objectives.
Mentor engineers in bolted joint design, analysis methods, fastener selection, and application of the standard fastener library.
Travel domestically and internationally to engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and technology partner locations.