Staff Engineer - Residential and New Product Development

Rehlko•Kohler, WI

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Sr. Manager, NPD Engineering, the Staff Engineer – Residential and New Product Development will support the development of innovative products, including Automatic Transfer Switches and both air‑cooled and liquid‑cooled generators. The role provides technical direction and project leadership in the development of power generation solutions, while coordinating and guiding the efforts of CAD Design Analysts, Engineering Analysts, and Lab Technicians.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (required).
6+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on new consumer product development.
Experience with Electromechanical systems a plus
Basic understanding of generators, large gaseous engines, and electrical/electronic systems, including considerations for current and future system development.
Demonstrated project management and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Ability to travel domestically as required.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Coursework or experience related to internal combustion engines (preferred).
Power generation or generator set (genset) experience (a plus).

Responsibilities

Lead the development of product requirements in collaboration with Marketing Product Managers and translate those requirements into functional specifications that define design targets.
Develop project cost estimates and partner with Marketing to present business cases.
Provide technical and design direction to CAD Design Analysts and other engineers; design assigned products to meet performance and cost objectives.
Guide lab technicians in validation testing and product evaluation.
Approve the selection of major purchased components (e.g., alternators, controllers, inverters, batteries, enclosures) and support decisions with sound engineering analysis.
Collaborate with Accounting and Procurement to track project spending and product costs, ensuring alignment with budget targets.
Validate designs through testing to meet performance, reliability, and durability goals.
Apply Design for Environment (DfE) principles to support sustainability objectives in product development.
Utilize project management skills to maintain schedules and ensure on-time delivery.
Provide clear, concise, and timely status updates on assigned projects.
Mentor junior engineers in product development processes and best practices.