Product Development Engineer I

Job Summary

The PD Engineer I serves as a bridge between Product Development (PD), Product Launch (PL), and Manufacturing teams while managing projects and initiatives related to the development of new items. Ensures new items align with operational capabilities by monitoring and evaluating manufacturing processes throughout development, while sustaining manufacturing standards and meeting design intent. Collaborating with Design, Manufacturing, Technology, and Safety teams, the PD Production Engineer defines requirements for specifications, quality, testing, characterization, and implementation of new materials, components, and applications. Communicates effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time delivery and successful project completion, meeting critical development milestones leading to product release.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

•Responsible for providing support and collaborating with the handoff of PD packages to PL, working directly with PD Production Leadership to ensure accurate and consistent on-time deliveries per catalog event.

•Implements engineering changes within Start/Finish Shop to ensure quality and productivity yields meet expectations and manage projects/resources at a planning/working level within the Product Development team to develop and implement best practices.

•Evaluates and assists with developing innovative solutions to create processes to mitigate manufacturing challenges. Supports quality control activities to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, and minimize cost.

•Utilizes analytical tools to implement necessary changes in new items, with a developed understanding of a products proportion, space relationship, positive and negative space and overall design intent.

•Helps manage PD production equipment needs to meet and maintain department production capabilities.

•Reviews and approves item specific work instructions following established procedures.

•Participates in Concurrent Engineering activities, assessing/correcting root cause defects in developmental stages.

•Facilitates PD's role in continuous improvement projects and actively supports concurrent engineering initiatives. Implements changes in product line items and develops understanding of products care abouts and overall design intent.

•Participates and provides support to the safety committee, its designees, projects, training and directives.

•Collaborates with Technology Department and Manufacturing Engineers to research and help deploy new technology and production methods as they relate to implementation of new materials, components, equipment, and applications.

•Responsible for Research and Development initiatives, new processes, projects and administrative support work.

•Collaborates and provides support to team members with assignments, projects or other areas of assignments.

•Performs additional duties and assists with other initiatives or projects as assigned.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

•Bachelor’s Degree in Technical or Industrial Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Jewelry Arts or related field; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

•No experience.

•Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft (MS) Office applications including MS Excel data sorting, analysis, formulas, and spreadsheet design.

•Effective communication and organizational skills.

•Strong attention to detail, problem-solving and analytical skills.

•Ability to travel to various work locations as business need requires.

•Ability to pass a background check as well as an alcohol, controlled substance, and illegal drug screen that meets Company standards before beginning regular employment.

Preferred Qualifications

•Demonstrated experience in three-dimensional conceptual modeling skills, and interpretation of physical and electronic renderings of products and tools, dies, and fixtures.

•Knowledge of various Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Rapid prototyping technologies.

•Effectively manages and coordinates cross functional projects concurrently.

•Aptitude for managing project uncertainties and associated risks.

•Hands-on jewelry manufacturing experience.

•Project Management experience.

•Lean Six Sigma training, Green Belt or Black Belt certification.