Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Company Description

Black Diamond Equipment traces its roots to 1957, evolving from hand-forged climbing gear sold out of a car into a global leader in outdoor equipment. Today, Black Diamond designs, engineers, tests, and manufactures high-performance climbing, skiing, trekking, and mountain equipment used by athletes and adventurers around the world.

Our global sales, marketing, product development, and manufacturing headquarters are located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, with world-class climbing, skiing, biking, and mountain access just minutes from the office.

Black Diamond values highly talented, self-motivated individuals who are passionate about adventurous outdoor pursuits and building best-in-class gear. Applicants can learn more about the company and apply for this position here:

https://blackdiamondequipment.com/pages/careers

or here:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/BB422F7D6071B549D2D5B1D53F8BC876/jobs/61113

Role Description

Black Diamond is seeking a full-time, on-site Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for Climbing Hardgoods based in Salt Lake City, UT. This role is responsible for leading the mechanical design and development of some of Black Diamond’s largest, most complex, and highest-impact climbing-specific projects from concept through production.

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer works in close partnership with industrial design, product management, development, quality assurance, testing, and manufacturing teams to create innovative climbing, skiing, trekking, and mountain products that meet demanding requirements for performance, strength, durability, reliability, manufacturability, and user experience.

Daily responsibilities include generating and refining product concepts, creating CAD models and assemblies, developing detailed technical drawings, performing engineering analysis, selecting materials and manufacturing processes, building and evaluating prototypes, supporting verification and validation testing, and driving design improvements based on lab testing, field use, vendor feedback, and production learning.

This person will also play an important leadership role within the engineering team by mentoring junior engineers, helping solve urgent or complex technical problems, contributing to design standards and best practices, and supporting continuous improvement of Black Diamond’s product development process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for complex in-line and new product development projects.
• Generate concepts through brainstorming, user insight, prototyping, and engineering problem solving.
• Create CAD models of parts, sub-assemblies, and complete product assemblies.
• Develop detailed technical drawings with appropriate GD&T, dimensions, specifications, and tolerances.
• Select appropriate materials, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Analyze parts, assemblies, and systems to ensure designs are appropriate for intended use.
• Use hand calculations, tolerance analysis, finite element analysis, prototyping, and physical testing to inform and validate designs.
• Build, modify, and evaluate rough prototypes, test samples, and functional mockups.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to create complete test plans for product validation.
• Partner with Industrial Design, Development, and vendors to ensure production parts meet design intent.
• Support design improvements based on testing, field feedback, manufacturing feedback, and quality data.
• Mentor junior engineers in product design, engineering judgment, project execution, and best practices.
• Assist junior engineers and developers in solving critical, urgent, or complex technical problems.
• Research new materials, technologies, and manufacturing methods for potential use in Black Diamond products.
• Support design change orders in a timely and accurate manner.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed for research, vendor collaboration, tradeshows, and other job-related functions.
• Follow all applicable Black Diamond quality, safety, and employee policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required.
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field preferred.
• 10 or more years of post-graduation experience in a mechanical engineering role required.
• 12 or more years of design engineering experience working on consumer products preferred.
• Demonstrated experience taking products from concept through production.
• Strong mechanical engineering foundation, including applied mechanics, stress/strain analysis, materials, manufacturing processes, and machine design.
• Proven track record of creative problem solving and successful product development.
• Strong portfolio of successful products, preferably in consumer hardgoods, outdoor equipment, sporting goods, or other performance-driven product categories.
• Advanced CAD skills for 3D modeling, assemblies, and detailed technical drawings.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Ability to analyze and select appropriate materials, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with finite element analysis, structural analysis, reliability engineering, and product validation testing is beneficial.
• Comfortable working hands-on with prototypes, test fixtures, shop tools, and lab equipment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical partners.
• Strong ability to lead, mentor, direct, and inspire others within a team environment.
• Ability to conduct research, present project status, meet deadlines, and manage competing technical priorities.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and other standard business tools.
• In-depth working knowledge of rock climbing is required. Knowledge of skiing, mountaineering, trekking, and other outdoor activities for which Black Diamond designs products is strongly preferred.
• Passion for outdoor sports and a deep understanding of user needs is a major plus.

Required Licenses and Documents

• Valid driver’s license.
• Valid passport, or ability to obtain one for international travel.

Physical Requirements

This role includes both office-based engineering work and hands-on product development activities. General physical requirements include primarily sedentary work with occasional medium work. The role may involve close vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and sitting. Work may take place in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Black Diamond is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

• If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Black Diamond Equipment HR representative.