Sustaining Engineer

Job Type/Benefits 

• Full-time, Salary (exempt) 
• Health, dental, and vision benefits (30-day new hire waiting period applies) 
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability and life insurance plans available (30-day new hire waiting period applies) 
• Vanguard 401(K) with 3% company match (90-day new hire waiting period applies) 
• 80 hours paid vacation per year (90-day new hire waiting period applies)  
• 40 hours paid sick leave per year (30-day new hire waiting period applies) 
• 11 paid holidays per year 

Our Company 

The issue of mass incarceration and the soaring rate of recidivism is one of the most important civil rights issues of our time. At Awake, we believe we can play an active role in combatting this issue by providing meaningful second chance employment to formerly incarcerated individuals. Whether you have a record or just want to work at a company that is part of the solution, Awake would love to have you join our team. 

Awake Window & Door Co. Is an organization full of individuals deeply committed to our core values and creating solutions that excite our stakeholders. Our company is made up of an incredibly talented group of individuals dedicated to finding innovative solutions to complex problems. This group is never afraid of the hard work required to give our customers the best possible experience. We want your position at Awake to be the greatest job you have ever had. We are passionate about creating a compelling workplace environment where you’ll have fun, you’ll do great work, you’ll be challenged to be better, and you’ll love what you do. 

Job Description 

The Sustaining Engineer is responsible for supporting, maintaining, and continuously improving existing product designs, systems, and manufacturing processes within our fenestration product line. This role is well-suited for engineers ranging from early-career to mid-level who enjoy hands-on problem-solving, working cross-functionally, and supporting products through their full lifecycle. 

The Sustaining Engineer reports directly to the V.P. of Design & Engineering and collaborates with Sales, Service, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to resolve product issues, implement design improvements, and support engineering change processes. The level of responsibility and ownership will scale with experience. 

Social Skills  

• Ability to receive verbal instructions and to work together with a team to accomplish a common goal.  
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and make necessary changes 
• Ability to ask questions when instructions are unclear. 
• Actively looks for ways to encourage and support others. 

Tasks/Detailed Work Activities 

• Support and maintain existing fenestration product designs, systems, and engineering documentation. 
• Identify opportunities for product, system, and process improvements to enhance quality, performance, manufacturability, and cost. 
• Participate in or own the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process potentially including: 
• Collecting, reviewing, and prioritizing improvement requests. 
• Evaluating technical feasibility, impact, and risk. 
• Supporting or implementing approved changes and ensuring proper documentation. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with: 
• Sales to support product solutions, field feedback, and customer-driven improvement requests. 
• Service to troubleshoot product issues, analyze failures, and develop corrective actions. 
• Quality to address nonconformances, perform root cause analysis, and support corrective/preventive actions. 
• Manufacturing / Factory Floor to implement design changes, resolve production issues, and improve efficiency. 
• Conduct hands-on incoming product and component inspections as needed. 
• Analyze incoming materials and finished products to identify defects, shortcomings, or performance issues. 
• Support root cause investigations and help define corrective actions. 
• Assist with or lead product testing, validation, and data collection efforts. 
• Provide technical support to internal teams; field issue support increases with experience level. 
• Maintain accurate drawings, BOMs, specifications, and engineering records. 
• Spend time on the factory floor supporting day-to-day production and improvement efforts. 
• Comply with appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) standards. 

Physical Demands 

Employee must meet these physical demands to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions)  

• Standing for long periods of time, walking, crouching, bending, and kneeling. 
• Must be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds overhead. 
• Sufficient visual acuity including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  
• Ability to regularly talk and hear (the noise level in the shop can be loud.) 
• Must be able/willing to wear ear plugs/earmuffs, and safety glasses for the entire shift. 

Work Environment 

• Computer work can be completed in the Awake front office environment (dedicated workstation provided).  
• Hands-on engineering work will take place in our well-ventilated, open-concept manufacturing warehouse which is an evaporative cooled environment.  While efforts are made to create a comfortable environment with plenty of air movement, temperatures may reach over 90 degrees in summer months. 
• Windows and skylights provide bright natural lighting throughout workday. 
• Respirators are required in limited environments to prevent inhalation of any hazardous particles. 
• Appropriate PPE is required as operation of some equipment may expose employees to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA, or debris from cutting and drilling. 

Required Job Specifications  

• Education: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline. 
• Experience:  
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant engineering experience; internships, co-ops, or project experience acceptable for early-career candidates. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong mechanical aptitude and interest in hands-on problem-solving. 
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a manufacturing environment. 
• Basic to strong understanding of engineering documentation and change control. 
• Willingness to spend time on the factory floor and engage directly with production teams. 

Preferred Job Specifications 

• Experience: 2 years: 
• Experience supporting manufactured products in a sustaining, product support, or manufacturing-focused role. 
• Familiarity with quality tools such as root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement. 
• Experience working directly in a factory or production environment. 
• Fenestration industry experience (windows, doors, glazing systems) is a plus, but not required. 

Required Technology/Desktop Computer Skills 

• Excellent personal computer skills  
• Proficient in Auto-Cad 
• Proficient in Solid Works  
• Proficient in various Microsoft programs, particularly MS Excel 

Tools 

• Mitre and straight cut saws 
• Copy router 
• Hydraulic Punch  
• Air compressor 
• Glazing pump 
• Power tools (impact driver, circular saw, cordless drill, etc.) 
• Hand tools (caulking gun, tape measure, utility knife, etc.) 
• Drill Press 

Cultural Ambassador 

It is expected that all employees of Awake be ambassadors of the company’s vision statement, which reads: our vision is to awaken a community of gadflies that excite stakeholders by creating innovative solutions to complex problems. 

• Each person must embody and live out our core values: 
• Love 
• Learn 
• Challenge 
• Own 
• Gratitude 

Must be passionate about our social mission, which is focused on reducing recidivism and combatting mass incarceration by creating meaningful second chances and employment opportunities within our company.