Lead Design Engineer

Job Summary

About this Team:

If you want to be on the cutting edge of technology and touch multiple facets of business, then this is the group for you! This position will give you exposure to the Indoor Lighting Portfolio. Your efforts will make a direct impact to top line revenue via research, new products, product enhancements, and technology integrations. This position is responsible for new product development design engineering and existing product sustaining engineering while giving you a platform to manage development programs and lead cross functional design teams in an electro-mechanical environment. This role will provide opportunities to develop best-in-class lighting products and integrate cutting edge IOT Technology and Controls into products. Our Indoor team is seeking a Lead Design Engineer that will curiously push the boundaries and creatively implement breakthrough innovations in a fast-paced environment enabling Acuity to continue leading the market.

How you will contribute:

This role is responsible for product development from concept through production, which includes new product development, sustaining engineering support, and resolution of field problems. The individual will lead mechanical product design and/or redesign, create part assemblies, and detailed part drawings. You will lead prototyping, assembly of samples, and management of complex product test and evaluation programs. The role leads various product design/development projects and teams, collaborates with, and influences all cross functional members of the design team. You will present and communicate project status updates to management, participate in daily management meetings with the cross-functional team, and aid in mentoring / developing other engineers. In everything the Lead Design Engineer does, both in projects and daily tasks, LEAN Process methodology is applied to drive impact, streamline workflows, and improve processes.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Teaches and leads various aspects of the product design process including, but not limited to the development of part geometry, assembly designs and drawing generation. Design work varies from new product development to product enhancements and cost reduction activities. Develops, distributes, and/or approves engineering data in the form of Engineering Change Notices, bills of material and parts tracking. Manages collaboration with vendor partners.
• Designs parts, identifies finishing requirements for, and works with tooling vendors for the following manufacturing methods: progressive die sheet metal tooling, fabricated sheet metal and brake forming, aluminum and zinc die casting, aluminum and plastic extrusions, plastic injection molding, and spinning. Generates and tracks capital expenditure plans along with tooling vendor timelines to meet project schedules.
• Manages relationships with internal manufacturing facilities and external vendors to resolve part or assembly issues, deviation requests and bill of material corrections. Schedules and conducts pilot/preproduction runs, first article inspections, tool run-offs and plans for production release.
• Leads team meetings using the product delivery system (stage gate product development) for each major product.
• Champions concept development by initiating and developing concepts for new products from Project Charters and Specification Matrices provided by the Product Manager(s) and other avenues such as evaluation of competitive samples, documentation, and free design techniques. Ensures all concepts are manufacturable with corresponding methods utilized in the appropriate manufacturing facility.
• Continuously looks for, and actively implements process improvements related to productivity, quality, purchasing, engineering, and manufacturing; to include sourcing new or alternate processes, equipment, and/or training of manpower. Looks for advancements or changes in technology via tradeshows, technology councils, vendors or other methods.
• Develops certification and validation test plans. Submits test requests and works directly with testing groups as necessary for product evaluation. Submits prototyping requests and works directly with internal and external prototype suppliers for production of prototype components and assemblies. Reviews functional specifications, project charters and competitor’s samples

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or a related discipline. Proven track record of success in engineering of lighting products, appliances, consumer products, or a related manufacturing field of electro-mechanical products
• Proficiency of 3D CAD and Microsoft Office programs required; SolidWorks software proficiency and CAD data management experience preferred.
• Proficiency in numerous manufacturing methods (such as stamping, fabricating, drawing, casting, injection molding, spinning, extruding of metals and plastics) and finishing techniques (such as painting, plating, anodizing, and vacuum metaling).
• Thorough understanding of applicable standards and test processes for UL/CSA, DLC, and/or Energy Star. Familiar with national and local electric codes and building construction methods.
• Proficiency in thermal testing and test methods of recessed luminaires.
• Leadership to influence and enlist the cooperation of other team members to work towards the goal of completing and implementing new product development on time, and in budget.
• Communicate verbally, in written form, and through sketches, engineering drawings, presentations, renderings, and prototypes.
• Able to work proficiently in a cross-functional team environment.
• Able to work from the Des Plaines, IL facility minimum 50% of the time.

Travel Requirements

• Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time, as needed for the role.

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift up to 75 lbs.