Lead Product Development Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position Summary

As a Design Engineering Lead, you will both lead and contribute hands-on across the entire engineering design lifecycle—from detailed CAD modeling and prototyping to validation and delivery of manufacturing-ready documentation. Reporting to Engineering Management, you’ll oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers and programmers to optimize performance, cost, quality, and timelines. Balancing strategic leadership with technical execution, you will create prototypes, refine tooling, troubleshoot design issues, and drive engineering changes to improve efficiency, reduce production costs, accelerate time-to-market, and deliver robust, high-quality products.

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Duties & Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Mentorship
Supervise and mentor a team of design engineers and programmers (e.g., CNC laser or turret programmers), assign priorities, reviewing work, and fostering skills development.

Engineering Change Management
Lead engineering changes, ensuring all documentation, nesting /forming programs, and work instructions are updated and communicated to stakeholders.

Lead Sheet Metal Product Development
Oversee the design and development of sheet metal components and assemblies from concept through production release, ensuring manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with specifications.

Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution
Investigate design or production issues—such as fit-up problems, weld distortions, or tolerance stack-ups—and drive corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
Liaise with estimating, purchasing, production, and quality teams to align designs with material availability, fabrication capabilities, and customer requirements.

Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Identify and drive improvements in design standards, templates, workflows, and material utilization to support business objectives like reduced lead times and lower production costs.

Core KPI’s

· On Time Design Release - % of design packages released to production on or before target date

· Design Accuracy – Number of design-related nonconformances

· Engineering Change Turn Around Time – Average days to complete and implement changes

· Team Development - % of team certification and training goals met

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Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

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Qualifications

Education & Credentials

· Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and relevant job experience in sheet metal design and fabrication

Experience

· 5–8+ years of experience in design engineering, with a focus on sheet metal fabrication (laser cutting, forming, welding, paint, and assembly)

· 2–3+ years in a leadership or project lead role overseeing engineering teams or multidisciplinary groups

· Hands-on experience with prototyping, tooling, and design validation in a manufacturing environment

Technical Skills

· Proficient in 3D CAD modeling and drafting (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor), including sheet metal modules and flat pattern development

· Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and design for manufacturability (DFM)

· Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems for BOM and routing management

· Working knowledge of nesting software (e.g., SigmaNEST) and CNC programming principles

· Ability to interpret welding symbols and fabrication standards (AWS, ISO)

Leadership & Soft Skills

· Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate engineering teams

· Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for design and production issues

· Effective project management skills, with a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget

· Strong communication skills to coordinate with production, quality, purchasing, and customers

Other Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement initiatives

· Knowledge of material selection for sheet metal applications (mild steel, stainless, aluminum, etc.)

· Familiarity with quality systems and regulatory requirements applicable to your industry (e.g., ISO 9001)

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Physical Requirements

· Ability to work in both an office setting and a production environment

· Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods of the day

· Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move materials, prototypes, and tool weighing up to 50 pounds