Design Engineer (Intake and Cooling)

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview:

A Specialist Engineer role working on the intake and cooling systems on a snowmobile. You will lead the definition, development, and integration of intake and cooling related systems across all snowmobile platforms. You will translate consumer insights and system requirements into clear engineering solutions while partnering closely with cross-functional teams. In this role, you will guide system specifications, validation, and design reviews to ensure performance, quality, safety, and manufacturability targets are met. Your work directly impacts the capability and rider experience of Polaris snowmobiles, offering you the opportunity to shape high-visibility system performance across multiple platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and document system, subsystem, and component requirements using the Polaris Development Process to ensure clarity and alignment.

• Design and develop intake and cooling related systems—including airboxes, air duct flow path, coolant flow path, radiators, and heat exchangers—using a systems-engineering approach.

• Develop system specifications, lead DFMEAs, and support validation planning and design guideline development.

• Collaborate with project leads, systems engineers, development engineers, technicians, and cross-functional partners to meet program objectives.

• Lead design reviews to ensure appropriate technical input and alignment across engineering and functional teams.

• Support DFM efforts with purchasing, supplier quality, and manufacturing teams for assigned systems.

• Ride snowmobiles during field development to evaluate system performance and support competitive benchmarking.

• Analyze manufacturing and field issues and implement effective corrective actions.

• Provide technical support for service publications, sales, and marketing.

• Serve as the engineering contact for sustaining activities related to intake and cooling components and support quality, reliability, performance, and cost-improvement initiatives.

Desired Competencies:

• Technical / Functional Expertise: You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.

• Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.

• Problem Solving: You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.

• Minimum 3 years of engineering design, systems engineering, or project engineering experience.

• Strong technical aptitude and ability to make informed engineering trade-offs.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across teams and organizational levels.

• Strong planning, organization, and self-leadership skills with attention to detail and quality.

• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive, solutions-focused approach.

• Global travel up to 30% or more in season; potentially less in the offseason.

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The starting pay range for Minnesota is $78,000 to $103,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.  While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range. 

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE.  Apply today!

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing.  Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings.  Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

EEO Statement

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or Talent.Acquisition@Polaris.com.  To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).