Product Development & Design Engineer

Position Summary: Take new aviation refueling products from concept through production release — developing concepts against customer requirements, building 3D CAD layouts and complete drawing packages, integrating mechanical, fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical subsystems into a functioning whole, prototyping and testing, and transitioning the design to manufacturing on budget by the scheduled date of completion. This is a hands-on design role with systems-level ownership: the engineer is expected to think past the individual part to how the full vehicle or skid behaves, and how a component interacts with the controls, the plumbing, the operator, the service technician, and the production floor.

DPP is seeking a Product Development & Design Engineer for an opportunity with our client in Reidsville, NC.
 
Work location: Hybrid in Reidsville, NC.
 
Position Summary:

• Take new aviation refueling products from concept through production release — developing concepts against customer requirements, building 3D CAD layouts and complete drawing packages, integrating mechanical, fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical subsystems into a functioning whole, prototyping and testing, and transitioning the design to manufacturing on budget by the scheduled date of completion.
• This is a hands-on design role with systems-level ownership: the engineer is expected to think past the individual part to how the full vehicle or skid behaves, and how a component interacts with the controls, the plumbing, the operator, the service technician, and the production floor.
• Alongside new product work, this person supports internal projects for facilities and manufacturing improvements. Project scope may range from a full new-product drawing package to a day-to-day production line emergency.

Responsibilities:
New Product Development

• Own the mechanical design of new products and major product revisions from concept through production release.
• Translate customer requirements, market input, and sales proposals into engineering specifications and design criteria.
• Develop and evaluate design concepts for performance, reliability, serviceability, cost, and manufacturability; assess feasibility, operating condition effects, and possible new applications.
• Build, instrument, and test prototypes; define test plans, capture results, and drive design changes from the data.
• Lead design reviews, perform supporting engineering calculations, and document decisions, risks, and open items.
• Benchmark vendor and competitor products; estimate labor, material, and production costs and manage launch schedules to budget.

Design & Drafting

• Design mechanical layouts and systems in 3D CAD (SolidWorks) — parts, high-end parametric models, complex assemblies, and drawings.
• Create and maintain complete drawing packages under revision control (SolidWorks PDM); revise existing models and drawings with minimal supervision.
• Modify and update schematics in DraftSight or AutoCAD; interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and specifications.
• Apply appropriate tolerancing; validate material and component selection, tolerances, performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Create and maintain bills of material, part masters, and raw material records in the Jobscope ERP system.
• Develop part build files for automated equipment (waterjet, plasma and plasma pipe cutter, label engraver, CNC lathe) and evolve CAD/drawing best practices and standards.

Systems Integration & Cross-Functional Execution

• Own the design at the system level — mechanical, fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, structural, and electrical interfaces — not just the individual component.
• Partner with the Electrical Engineer to integrate control systems, sensors, valves, actuators, and harness routing into the mechanical package; coordinate with the Vessel Engineer on tank interfaces and code-driven constraints.
• Carry projects through all phases: spec review with the customer, design, hand-off to manufacturing, and product life-cycle management.
• Work cross-functionally with operations, procurement, quality, service, sales, and customers; prioritize the critical few and communicate clearly on roadblocks and status.

Production, Facilities & Internal Projects

• Provide assembly support during builds and support manufacturing engineering through the drawing release process.
• Investigate equipment, product, and field failures; recommend design modifications that eliminate malfunctions and improve first-pass yield.
• Prepare specifications for material and equipment purchases; correspond with purchasing to procure alternate components as necessary.
• Design tooling, fixtures, jigs, guarding, and workholding to improve safety, quality, and throughput.
• Support facilities improvement projects — equipment selection and installation, plant layout, material flow, and utility routing — scoping, budgeting, and managing them to completion.
• Provide documentation and technical support to field service and sales.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 1-3 years of relevant mechanical design experience in a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated ownership of a product or major subsystem from concept through production release.
• Fluent in 3D modeling software (SolidWorks preferred) and proficient in 2D drafting software (DraftSight or AutoCAD).
• Design experience in welded structures and framing, pipe layouts, sheet metal design, and other mechanical systems.
• Working understanding of fluid, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing equipment and processes (plasma cutting, waterjet table, CNC lathe, welding, plate bending, CNC tube bending).
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, specifications, and technical manuals, and to estimate cost and budget for a project.
• High energy, strong communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and demonstrated success in a team environment.
• As needed, travel domestically and abroad.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with aviation ground support equipment, automotive, heavy truck, or industrial vehicles.
• Formal new product development or stage-gate process experience.
• Working knowledge of electrical and control systems sufficient to collaborate on integrated designs (PLC, CAN bus, HMI, harnesses, sensors, actuators).
• Stress analysis and computer-assisted FEA; DFM/DFA or tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, and costing as related to stainless steel vs. aluminum vs. carbon steel.
• Experience with PDM systems for drawing revision control (i.e., SolidWorks PDM) and ERP systems (i.e., Jobscope).

Authorized US Worker - US Citizens and those authorized to work in the US are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor at this time.
 
Interested? Learn more:
Click the apply button to learn more about this position (#26-01093).
 DP Professionals (DPP) offers a range of compensation and benefits packages to our employees and their eligible dependents. DPP is a certified Woman-owned Small Business Enterprise (WBE and WOSB) with more than 25 years in the staffing industry. EOE/AA/V/D