Demo

Development Engineer II

Benchmade Knife Company and Careers
Oregon, OR Full Time
POSTED ON 12/31/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/28/2026

Our Core Values

ELEVATE EVERYTHING – We each bring a specific set of skills to the table, offering up our expertise and resources to enhance the work of others. We challenge each other to be the best in order to achieve enduring value in the eyes of our customers.

BETTER IS BETTER – There is no finish line; we strive for continuous improvement in everything we do. We obsess over every detail to find ways to improve both our products and our process.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY ACCOUNTABLE – We’re open and honest in how we speak and listen. We celebrate each other’s successes and collectively rally to solve every challenge. We own it!

COURAGEOUS INNOVATION – There are elegant ideas awaiting discovery in everything we do. We push everyone around us to pursue those ideas openly so we can continue to dominate the category.

COMMUNITY DRIVEN - As a family business, we understand the importance of enriching the communities we call home. As a company, and as individuals, we work to make our expertise available to do the most good for those around us.


JOB SUMMARY

The Development Engineer II – Product Development is a core member of a category-specific product team, supporting a Category Manager, and working in close collaboration with Design Engineers, Industrial Designers, and Development Engineering Technicians. This role operates within the company’s Ambidextrous Organization Model, supporting the creation of bold, manufacturable, and consumer-relevant product concepts that drive 50% net-new innovation across the portfolio.

Reporting formally to the Director of Product Line Management and functionally to the assigned Category Manager, the Development Engineer II contributes to early-stage product realization by developing and validating robust manufacturing processes, fixturing, and documentation. The role interfaces closely with the Advanced Prototyping Team and other cross-functional teams to ensure a smooth and timely transition from concept to production.

In addition to owning engineering execution within their assigned product class, this individual mentor's junior development engineers and technicians actively shares learnings across teams and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, fast learning, and innovation accountability.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Product Development & Process Engineering

  • Translate design intent into robust, scalable manufacturing processes, including the creation of routings, inspection plans, and fixturing.
  • Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews and provide actionable input on process risk, tolerance, material, and manufacturability.
  • Estimate and update product costing throughout the NPI lifecycle, ensuring alignment with financial and performance targets.
  • Perform process capability and control studies for critical manufacturing operations to validate readiness.
  • Identify and implement process improvements that reduce costs, improve quality, enhance operational efficiency, and improve speed to market.

Project Leadership & Execution

  • Lead project execution across multiple initiatives—owning schedule development, visibility, and coordination across functions.
  • Help manage project timelines and maintain visibility across departments to ensure alignment and accountability.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to resolve complex technical challenges and drive projects toward commercialization.
  • Interface with Advanced Prototyping and Development Technicians to support rapid prototyping and iteration cycles.
  • Support manufacturability validation and transition-to-production activities with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations.
  • Assist with risk identification and mitigation planning as product concepts mature

Mentorship & Technical Collaboration

  • Mentor and coach junior development engineers and technicians within the category team.
  • Share learnings, tooling solutions, and process advancements across teams to drive alignment and standardization.
  • Actively engage with peers and partners to remove barriers, simplify complexity, and accelerate progress on critical projects.
  • Foster a culture of experimentation, craftsmanship, and learning-driven execution within the engineering organization.

Key Innovation Metrics supporting in this role

  • Innovation Output: % of net-new concepts advancing to Phase Gate / Concept Review
  • Time to Prototype: Cycle time from concept brief to validated prototype
  • Learning Velocity: Number of iterations achieved through fast-fail experimentation
  • Process Readiness: Degree of fixture/tooling maturity and manufacturability validation
  • Speed to Market: Clarity and accountability in early-phase development execution

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or related field) required
  • 3–4 years of hands-on product development or manufacturing engineering experience; preferred experience in milling, grinding, vibratory finishing, laser cutting, and assembly
  • Demonstrated skill in CAD software (CREO preferred); ability to design fixtures and tooling required
  • Familiarity with ASME Y14.5M-1994 and process documentation standards
  • Experience with structured problem-solving methodologies and data-driven root cause analysis
  • Familiarity with statistical analysis tools for process validation
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects, prioritize in dynamic environments, and influence cross-functional teams
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; PLM/ERP familiarity is a plus
  • Background in Lean principles and continuous improvement methodology is preferred
  • Self-driven, action-oriented, collaborative, and service-minded with a growth mindset

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Working Environment: Office Position
  • Physical Demands:
    • Lifting to 25 lbs.
    • Sitting and talking on the phone for long periods of time.
    • Data entry for long periods of time.
  • Travel Requirements: As needed, less than 5% of the time.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Salary.com Estimation for Development Engineer II in Oregon, OR
$87,559 to $110,733
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