Senior Engineer - Product Development

Why join us?

Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Product Development Senior Engineer independently develops and applies engineering theories/concepts to assignments in support of business objectives and will be responsible for providing engineering leadership and expertise. Reviews design and documentation to ensure compliance with design criteria and standards. Conducts feasibility studies, determines manpower and cost estimates and develops engineering criteria. Applies originality, ingenuity, and knowledge of other disciplines in solving complex problems. Emphasis will be placed on team leadership, participation, communication, ability to plan, and ability to achieve results on assigned projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Analyzes supply chain cost, value stream capabilities, and economic principles; make appropriate recommendations.
• Applies advanced problem solving skills and executes solutions to complex problems independently.
• Applies learned engineering skills to work assignments.
• Coaches and mentors engineering tasks and skills to others.
• Develops and implements engineering and quality processes.
• Exercises considerable latitude in determining the technical objectives of an assignment.
• Identifies opportunities and owns improvements to products and processes.
• Leads, defines, and completes complex engineering tasks with minimal oversight of leadership.
• Manages and accountable for budgets and expenses.
• Presents work output in a clear and concise manner.
• Schedules and coordinates major segments of complex engineering projects to meet cost and time objectives.
• Work broadly across the organization at a strategic level applying knowledge of other disciplines in solving complex problems.
• Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

Additional Essential Functions

• Research, investigate and propose product criteria, functions, requirements, and cost targets (customer criteria, performance requirements, build objectives, manufacturability, assembly, quality, craftsmanship, service, installation).
• Collaborate with industrial designers to understand, negotiate, and implement the design vision and design objectives of products.
• Recommend multiple solution alternatives for problems and concepts. Converge on solutions by evaluating the alternatives and tradeoffs, eliminating the weak alternatives, and improving the feasible alternatives.
• Collaborate with executives and leaders, project team members, other engineers, external experts, and industrial designers to propose ideas and offer suggestions.
• Evaluate and recommend new or existing suppliers, materials and manufacturing processes that could provide solutions.
• Complete sketches, models, detailed engineering analysis' and studies that support the development of new parts and products; specific tools include FEA, tolerance stacks, FBD's, kinematics, hand calcs, logic flow charts, state diagrams.
• Develop and specify appropriate prototype fabrication processes and materials; coordinate the build of prototype products and the fabrication of prototype parts.
• Evaluate and test concept models and prototypes against the project objectives, criteria, and requirements.
• Proactively anticipate and identify potential problems on new products and concepts and develop good corrective actions by following a rigorous problem solving process.
• Engage in cost estimates for prototype and production parts.
• Communicate clear, concise, accurate and detailed engineering documentation (ECO's, deviations, test requests, work orders, model shop requests, drawings, instructions, e-mails, etc.).
• Collaborate with and advise Performance Engineering to develop Performance Requirements and test plans; request or perform physical testing on parts and products then evaluate test results.
• Create, maintain, and release accurate 3D CAD models, drawings, service parts, instruction sheets, Gerber files, schematics, ECO's, BOM's and material specifications for prototype products and production products.
• Council the development of planning guides, CSI, tech specs, product labeling and marketing materials.
• Support and council completion of PPAP and assure parts are properly released for production following HMI procedures.
• Initiate and drive work with manufacturing engineering, supply management, operations, and suppliers to refine product designs to optimize tooling and equipment; manufacturing processes, assembly and reliability; assist with evaluating potential part suppliers and tooling suppliers.
• Initiate and drive work with Quality Engineering, Dimensional Engineers, and suppliers to refine product designs to achieve quality and craftsmanship objectives.
• Support operations and suppliers with problem identification, problem solving and operator training during pilot builds and launch activities.
• Manage personal work to meet project team objectives for budget and timing.
• Initiate and drive regular review of part and product designs with development team members, managers, designers, and suppliers to solicit their feedback and suggestions for improvements.
• Maintain engineering notes, models, records, calculations, and analysis' that demonstrate the progression of the product designs and review with lead engineers when requested.
• Initiate and complete patent disclosers and Right to Use (RTU) with HMI legal staff.
• Support new patent applications with HMI legal staff when appropriate.
• Support other project team members and project activities that require input and task work from the product development engineer: project schedules, project budgets, CMF development, prototype builds, PR's, testing, supplier communications.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited program.
• 7-10 years of professional experience.
• Proven experience with leading cross-functional technical project teams.
• Knowledgeable in Lean principles and application.
• Must be able to assess process concepts and to determine where continuous improvement opportunities exist.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people at various levels including production, engineering, and management and to be able to work well with and develop a partnering relationship with other team members.
• Knowledgeable in the use of common office automation software, HMI mainframe applications and engineering related software.
• Must be a skilled problem solver and be able to apply engineering expertise to problem solving.
• Must be an effective team leader, able to set team goals and commitments, and hold team members accountable for their assigned tasks.
• Proven ability to assess priorities and determine course of action with minimal day-to-day supervision and be able to anticipate, recognize, and respond effectively to changes which affect project plans.
• Exhibits an overall business sense and understand how decisions affect the business.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Additional Skills and Abilities

• 3+ years of professional level experience in new product development design or engineering.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Pro-E modeling or other equivalent 3D CAD software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire everyone. MillerKnoll is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification. In general, MillerKnoll positions are closed within 45 days and are open for applications for a minimum of 5 days. We encourage our prospective candidates to submit their application(s) expediently so as not to miss out on our opportunities. We frequently post new opportunities and encourage prospective candidates to check back often for new postings.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at careers_help@millerknoll.com.