What are the responsibilities and job description for the New Product Development Engineer position at Cantrell-Gainco?
The NPD (New Product Development) Engineer plays a critical role in our aftermarket parts business, supporting the development of new products and sustaining current product lines. This position requires a technically strong engineer with experience in design and implementation of product improvements.
Essential Functions:
- Lead Reverse Engineering Process and Implement Improvements: Utilize internal and external resources to execute the reverse engineering process, ensuring accurate and timely development of new parts. Identify opportunities for improvement and/or cost savings and implement these improvements to enhance product quality and performance.
- Source New Parts: Identify and qualify viable sources for new parts, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.
- Collaborate with the Larger Engineering Team: Work collaboratively with the engineering team to ensure adherence to sound design principles and seamless implementation of improvements. Provide technical input to ensure that all engineering activities align with the company’s overall standards.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Design and Print Development: Support design and print development activities, including creating and modifying engineering drawings, prototypes, and specifications for new products and product improvements.
- Alpha and Beta Testing Oversight: Design, plan, and oversee the alpha and beta testing process for all new parts in development, including establishing performance criteria, coordinating field trials, collecting and analyzing feedback, and ensuring that results are incorporated into final designs before commercialization.
- Ownership and Accountability: Take responsibility for the technical success of new product development activities. Ensure designs meet requirements for performance, cost, and manufacturability.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field required.
- Strong technical foundation with demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience in reverse engineering and part development preferred but not required.
- Proficiency with CAD and other engineering design software.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across functions and communicate technical concepts clearly.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Use of hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Understand the speech of another person, speaks clearly so listeners can understand and sees details of objects that are less than a few feet away.