Senior Product Development Engineer - CI

The Senior Product Development Engineer oversees the design, development, and validation of product enhancements from initial concept through commercial launch. This role serves as a technical subject matter expert and mentor, executing continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives to strengthen business performance.

Responsibilities

Engineering Design & Technical Precision: Lead the development and implementation of product changes. Utilize advanced engineering methodologies, including DFMEA, Design of Experiments (DOE), tolerance stack-up analysis, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).; Project Lifecycle Management: Manage comprehensive system design requirements to ensure products transition predictably from the development phase into large-scale production.; Operational Collaboration: Partner with Supply Chain, manufacturing staff, and external vendors to define specifications and source raw materials, components, and final assemblies.; Validation & Quality Assurance: Develop Design Verification Plans (DVPs), coordinate rigorous testing, and execute plant trials to validate fabrication, assembly, and installation processes.; Cross-Functional Support: Provide technical guidance to Manufacturing and Operations during critical launch phases. Collaborate with the Quality department to resolve internal and external product issues.; Strategic Problem Solving: Apply lean product development tools and systematic critical thinking to continuous improvement projects and complex troubleshooting.; Leadership & Mentorship: Champion engineering excellence by coaching junior staff and leading technical peer reviews and design evaluations.

Requirements

B.S. degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred) from an accredited university; Minimum of 8 years product design and development experience; New product development launch and Stage Gate experience; Proven track record of delivering products and/or processes to launch with differentiated innovative fit form and function and/or reduced cost; Experience with 3-D Parametric Solid Modeling (Solid Edge or Solid Works is a plus), Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); Significant cross functional experience in interfacing with sourcing, quality, and manufacturing within product development, cost-out, continuous improvement and other business-led initiatives; Superior written and oral communication skills; Strong strategic thinking skills; Desire to work hands-on, prototype and troubleshoot proactively

Nice to have

M.S. degree in Engineering (Mechanical); Solidworks certification; Ability to perform tolerance stack-ups (using Sigmetrix or similar), review process capability and manage changes accordingly; Experience with extrusions (Aluminum and plastic, both single and co-extrusion) & similar manufacturing methods; Experience with plastic materials (fiberglass composites, thermoplastics or similar preferred) & manufacturing methods such as injection molding; Experience with weather seals and similar materials/profiles; Predictive engineering and analysis experience using finite element analysis (FEA), hand calculation, or similar (Ansys, Abaqus, Solidworks FEA); Superior knowledge of applied mechanics; Experience in vinyl windows and/or storm and entry doors, or building materials is a plus; Experience with metals machining, casting, forging, and brazing; Experience with DC motors; Experience with water quality and water chemistry; Experience in hardware (handle sets, hinges, etc.) is a plus; Experience interfacing with intellectual property counsel

Benefits

Annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based sales incentive plan; robust health plans; market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution; product discounts; flexible time off benefits; adoption benefits; numerous ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to foster a sense of belonging for all associates