Job Description:
Sr. Design Engineer I – New Product Development Engineering (OPE)
The Senior Design Engineer I is responsible for hands-on mechanical design execution for moderate to high‑complexity outdoor power equipment (OPE) systems and subsystems. This role owns detailed design execution from concept to production, with a strong emphasis on robust design, manufacturability, validation, and cost. Operating within the Outdoor Engineering organization, the Sr. Design Engineer I functions as a technical leader and subject‑matter expert for assigned components and assemblies, partnering closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, and global suppliers to deliver competitive, production‑ready designs.
Key Job Functions & Responsibilities
Technical Design Ownership
- Owns end‑to‑end mechanical design execution for assigned components, sub‑assemblies, or systems from concept, layout, and detailed CAD through validation and production release.
- Develops and maintains 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, GD&T, tolerance stacks, and specifications to ensure functional performance, regulatory compliance, durability, safety, and manufacturability.
- Ability to analyze problems and provide design trade‑off analyses (performance, cost, weight, manufacturability, reliability) and documents rationale for design decisions.
- Applies structured problem‑solving methods to resolve design issues, field failures, and manufacturing concerns.
- Demonstrates strong engineering judgment and accountability for design quality and performance.
Design for Manufacturing, Cost, and Quality
- Designs components optimized for high‑volume manufacturing, assembly efficiency, tooling capability, and supplier process constraints.
- Partners with Sourcing and suppliers to evaluate manufacturing processes, tooling concepts, and cost drivers early in development.
- Actively supports value engineering / cost‑down initiatives without compromising performance or quality.
- Ensures designs comply with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable UL / ANSI / CSA / ISO expectations.
Verification & Validation
- Defines DFMEA inputs, design risks, and mitigation strategies for owned designs.
- Develops and executes design verification plans including tolerance validation, stress analysis, durability testing, environmental testing, and abuse testing.
- Uses data‑driven test results to refine designs and confirm requirements are met with appropriate margin.
- Reviews and approves engineering changes, deviation requests, and corrective actions related to owned designs.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Works closely with Product Management to translate customer needs and CTQs into clear engineering requirements.
- Supports Manufacturing Engineering during pilot builds, PPAP, and ramp‑up by resolving build issues and incorporating feedback into design revisions.
- Collaborates with Quality, Compliance, and Reliability teams to support certifications, audits, and failure investigations.
- Provides clear technical communication to global engineering, sourcing, and supplier teams.
- Contributes to the development and improvement of design standards, test methods, and engineering processes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of design experience in consumer, industrial, or electromechanical products.
- Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (Creo / SolidWorks / NX or equivalent), detailed drawings, and GD&T.
- Demonstrated experience with materials, manufacturing processes, tooling, and supplier‑built components.
- Experience leading design verification and validation activities using data‑driven methods.
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and technical communication skills.
- Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, results‑driven product development environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with outdoor power equipment, power tools, small engines, or high‑load electromechanical systems.
- Hands‑on experience supporting pilot builds and production ramp‑ups.
- Familiarity with global supplier collaboration and Asia‑based manufacturing.
- Experience supporting UL / CSA / ANSI compliance activities.
Travel
- Occasional travel (approximately 3–10%) to suppliers, manufacturing sites, or test facilities.
