Staff R&D Mechanical Engineer

nVent•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for people who put their innovation to work to advance our success – and their own. Join an organization that ensures a more secure world through connecting and protecting our customers with inventive electrical solutions. This role involves participation in global product development teams, working closely with manufacturing engineers, supply chain, quality & compliance, and product management. The position requires definition and guidance of prototype builds, testing, and external certification, providing hands-on support as needed. It also involves guiding simulations and analyses (e.g. FEA, FMEA) to validate product performance and reliability, and defining and working with validation activities (lab & testing). Collaboration with internal and external fabrication partners is key to ensure practical and efficient molding and manufacturing processes. The role includes developing and/or coordinating new and existing product designs in support of product development strategies, and developing engineering design standard methodologies for optimizing product design to meet design architecture, cost, quality, functionality and reliability. A culture of continuous improvement, technology growth and multi-functional support aligned to meet business and functional objectives is fostered. The individual will identify as an authority supporting and engaging in the product portfolio and technology roadmap strategies. Up to 10% domestic travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, related field, or equivalent experience
Ideally 8+ years of mechanical design experience with a strong focus on non-metallics; new product development (NPI) preferred
Proven understanding of polymer and non‑metallic material behavior, including thermoformed components, elastomeric seals/gaskets, and fiber‑reinforced or composite materials
Experience selecting materials based on mechanical performance, environmental exposure, flammability, chemical resistance, UV, and aging considerations
Understanding of DFM/DFA for plastics, including draft, wall thickness, ribbing, tolerancing, and tooling tradeoffs
Familiarity with manufacturing processes for non‑metallic parts, such as molding, extrusion, bonding, over‑molding, and assembly operations
Understanding and demonstrated use of navigating regulations, certifications and standards for non-metallic design in specific environments

Responsibilities

Participation in global product development teams, working closely with manufacturing engineers, supply chain, quality & compliance, and product management
Definition and guidance of prototype builds, testing, and external certification; providing hands-on support as needed
Guide simulations and analyses (e.g. FEA, FMEA) to validate product performance and reliability
Define and work with validation activities (lab & testing)
Collaboration with internal and external fabrication partners to ensure practical and efficient molding and manufacturing processes.
Develop and/or coordinate new and existing product designs in support of product development strategies
Develop engineering design standard methodologies for optimizing product design to meet design architecture, cost, quality, functionality and reliability
Identify as an authority supporting and engaging in the product portfolio and technology roadmap strategies