Product Design Engineer – SolidWorks / Plastics

Location: Portage, WI 53901 – This is a full-time, onsite role. Remote work is not available. Summary Design, develop, and support products and components from concept through production. Prepare layouts, drawings, and specifications; define and evaluate tests; recommend design changes; and prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for products and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop best design approaches and perform calculations considering economics, manufacturability, function, and durability.
• Evaluate DFMA, serviceability, material selection, fits, tolerances (GD&T), product usage, and costs.
• Prepare engineering reports, evaluate results, and recommend courses of action.
• Create detailed drawings, specifications, CAD models/assemblies, and instruction sheets.
• Analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, and design data to determine critical design factors.
• Collaborate with team members, manufacturing, purchasing, vendors, and customers to meet goals and schedules.
• Make design revisions to size, shape, and part arrangement for practical designs.
• Draft drawings of patterns, molds, and tooling; approve new tooling, samples, and production parts; authority to reject non-conforming product and/or stop production.
• Develop and maintain project files; implement engineering change requests, design FMEAs, and design review documentation.
• Prepare itemized material and labor lists; compute cost factors and estimates for planning, bidding, vendor selection, and cost effectiveness.
• Maintain a centralized cost estimating database; compare estimated vs. actual costs and recommend improvements.
• Participate as an environmental auditor, staying informed on ISO regulations.
• Perform all duties in compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.

Qualifications

• Associate in Applied Science degree or equivalent from a two-year college/technical school; or two years related experience/training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline preferred.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks CAD and SolidWorks EPDM required. Knowledge of Unigraphics and MS Project preferred.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Working knowledge of plane/solid geometry, basic algebra, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Fluency in English (reading, analysis, interpretation, and presentation to all levels, including top management).
• Strong practical problem-solving and reasoning ability with limited standardization.

Physical Requirements Regularly required to stand, talk, walk, hear, reach, stoop, and bend. Seldom lift/move more than 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment Primarily office-based with time in production areas. Production temperatures fluctuate seasonally; noise levels moderate to high. Hearing protection and safety eyewear required on the production floor. Additional safety equipment may be required. Office noise is usually quiet. Work Availability & Travel Must be able to work all shift schedules, periodic overtime, and periodic weekend work. Travel: <10%. Supervisory Responsibilities None.