Chore-Time Product Design Engineer

Product Design Engineer

1. Product Design & Development:                                        100% of the Job 
2. Communicates and collaborates with customers, dealers, and network to establish product needs within the industry, as well as research competitive product lines, to create new or enhanced products that will drive business goals.
3. Manages the design, layout, specifications, and testing of new or enhanced products, work with sheet metal and plastics, work with internal and external manufacturing to ensure the quality, timing, resources, and costs meet the overall expected results of the project.
4. Leads, collaborates, and communicates with project team members to direct the detailed product design and implementation, ensuring a best practice approach for optimal implementation results.
5. Travels to assist with product installments, meetings, and trade shows through the U.S. and Internationally to ensure the Voice of the Customer is integrated in every part of the processes.

The job criteria may include other duties, responsibilities and activities, which may change or be assigned at any item with or without notice.

1. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Agricultural Engineering, or a related field; will also consider an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Experience: 2+ years of experience with plastic part design, ventilation, fluid mechanics, or product design within an agricultural or farming environment preferred; will consider an entry level person with strong aptitude for the role preferably with related experience/understanding of poultry husbandry and housing.
3. Certification(s): N/A
4. Functional Skills: Strong foundational understanding of engineering and mechanical principles to design parts that include motors, mechanical power components, sheet metal parts, injection mold and extruded plastic parts, material flow, air movement/cooling systems, and movement of material (i.e. feed, eggs, and waste).  The position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, conceptual, project management, time management, and organizational skills to take ideas, design a product, and execute to meet market needs.  A familiarity with CE European product standards would be a plus.
5. Technology Aptitude/Skills: Strong skill set in AutoCAD/3D CAD programming (Inventor/Vault); ERP system experience is a plus (Oracle preferred); Advanced Microsoft Office Skills (Word, Excel, Teams) required as well.
6. Language Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; will present ideas and outlines to management team, vendors, and customers.
7. Leadership/Behaviors: Ability to work with an experienced team, who is collaborative and supportive.  Can learn quickly to move past barriers and be a strong influencer to get things done to own the role.
8. Culture Match: Excellent abstract thinking; creative, conceptual thinker with a solid common-sense approach to create solutions and push through obstacles.   High integrity, Dependability, who can handle confidential information well.  Will also be Customer-Focused, Cost Conscious, Strives for Excellence, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment.  Will also be able to visit farms and interact with customers in a professional, well-received way.

• Integrity in all things
• Customers are why we exist
• Profitability is a must

• Excellence in all we do
• People make the difference

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and similar machines.
• This role will often use laboratory testing equipment, measuring instruments, waterjet, 3d printer, and other mechanical equipment to produce prototype and/or test equipment.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle as needed for travel in the role
• Ability to sit at desk for 5+ hours per day
• Ability to operate keyboard and view computer screen for majority of day 6-7 hours
• Ability to write ideas/information in a logical flow for 5+ hours per day
• Ability to read and respond on an on-going basis daily due to nature of the work, throughout the day
• Ability to read, write and speak English fluently
• Ability to communicate with others via phone, in-person, and computer on-going 
• Ability to listen to customers, problem-solve, and respond accordingly
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, kneel, squat, twist, push, pull, walk, stoop, crouch, and carry items frequently
• Lifting up to 15 lbs. sporadically

• The employee is primarily exposed to a normal office environment with moderate noise. The employee is occasionally required to wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment while visiting manufacturing departments and client locations.
• Testing and engineering lab environment with machines and equipment related to prototyping and testing.
• This position may be occasionally exposed to animals, dust, and dirt when visiting client locations.
• This position may face inclement weather conditions when traveling. 
• Travel:  10 - 20% travel is required (Domestic & International)