Staff Mechanical Engineer

Polaris • Wyoming, MN

9d

About The Position

The Staff Mechanical Engineer on Polaris Inc.’s Advanced Technology & Innovation Team imagines, develops, and brings to life new vehicle concepts, user experiences, and product innovations. The role combines engineering expertise, creativity, and strategic thinking to explore unmet customer needs, emerging trends, and disruptive technologies. Working across Design, User Experience, Product Planning, Strategy, and Engineering, the engineer turns insights and ideas into tangible concepts, prototypes, and innovation strategies that can influence future Polaris products.

The position leads innovation work from ideation through concept development, including concept creation, prototyping, testing, validation, and communication of recommendations. It also evaluates emerging technologies, materials, and industry trends; assesses feasibility and risk; and builds relationships with external organizations to identify innovation opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Comfort working with ambiguity and flexibility in projects and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and challenge conventional engineering approaches.
• Proficiency with 3D modeling tools such as Creo, Blender, or similar platforms.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated problem-solving ability and creative thinking skills.
• Experience developing system requirements and performance specifications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Project, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering design or related engineering roles.
• Experience with calibration and software.
• Agriculture, transportation, powersports, or automotive design experience.
• Fabrication experience, including machining, welding, and assembly.
• Strong analytical abilities, including problem-solving and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, development, and refinement of vehicle, system, and customer experience concepts.
• Translate customer insights, market trends, emerging technologies, and business opportunities into engineering concepts and prototype solutions.
• Design, engineer, and build concept vehicles, functional prototypes, and proof-of-concept models.
• Collaborate with Industrial Design, User Experience, Product Planning, Strategy, and Engineering teams to develop holistic solutions that balance customer desirability, technical feasibility, and business viability.
• Drive innovation projects from ideation through concept development, facilitating experimentation, concept reviews, and iterative learning cycles.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and industry trends to identify opportunities for competitive advantage or customer value.
• Lead rapid prototyping, testing, and validation activities to gather insights, reduce uncertainty, and inform future product direction.
• Present innovation concepts, recommendations, and strategic opportunities to engineering, design, and executive leadership teams.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to assess technical feasibility, identify risks, and recommend next steps for exploration or product development.
• Build relationships with external partners, suppliers, startups, universities, and technology organizations to identify and leverage innovation opportunities.
• Document learnings, insights, and recommendations from innovation initiatives to support future product and technology strategies.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including a profit-sharing plan.
• Company contributions to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases.
• Matching contribution to 401(k), plus financial wellness education and consultation.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness programs.
• Paid time off.
• Gym and personal training reimbursement.
• Life insurance and disability offerings.
• Paid volunteer time off through Polaris Gives.

What This Job Offers

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