Sr. Engineer, Research and Development

Sub-Function Description: Under the direction of the Engineering Manager, the Sr. Engineer, Research and Development will be responsible for generating mechanical designs and creating shop fabrication drawings for a wide variety of food service equipment. This role involves leading the entire product design lifecycle—from concept to launch—while ensuring compliance with industry standards and safety regulations. The engineer will play a pivotal role in collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative and cost-effective designs that meet the needs of our customers in the food service industry.

Organizational Impact: Works to achieve day-to-day objectives with a focus on designing equipment that meets both internal quality standards and external certifications. The individual will deliver tasks that involve both routine and specialized work, following design guidelines while balancing creative problem-solving and optimization. The individual will be expected to take ownership of their projects, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet both technical and business objectives. Success will be measured by the ability to meet project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards, with the engineer demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Position Type: Exempt

Knowledge & Experience: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions | Accountabilities | Performance Measures

• Work closely with sales, marketing, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure designs align with customer requirements, are manufacturable, and within budget
• Lead product design lifecycle from concept to launch, including ideation, prototyping, testing, and improvement stages
• Generate designs and shop drawings
• Assist with estimating by providing costing and labor estimates
• Lead the creation and management of ECN/ECR to update product designs and implement improvements.
• Lead product engineering design reviews for manufacturability
• Recommends and implements designs or practices that will result in cost savings, optimize production standards, and improve quality.
• Provide pertinent information to supply chain for outsourced materials and components.
• Develop testing and execute methods to improve product reliability and performance.
• Responsible for designing products that comply with the certification files and regulatory standards. Requirements including markings, wiring diagrams, and data label, are to be applied to the product prior to shipping. (UL, ETL. NSF, CSA)
  
  

Communication & Influence: Communicates primarily within the immediate work unit but will also interact with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on design objectives and product specifications. May work with external suppliers or vendors to source materials and components that meet product requirements.

Problem Solving & Complexity

The problems and challenges encountered in this role may not always be routine and will often require innovative solutions. This position involves actively collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify and address complex issues that arise throughout the New Product Development process.

The individual will be responsible for checking data and validating information to ensure the accuracy of designs and product specifications. Careful attention to detail is required to make informed decisions and ensure that solutions align with both technical requirements and customer needs.

Solutions will not be pre-determined and will require input from various stakeholders. The individual will work closely with engineering, production, and other teams to brainstorm and implement solutions, ensuring that designs are optimized for manufacturability, performance, and cost-efficiency.

Leadership & Talent Management: Focused on self-development.

Certificates | Licenses | Registrations:

• 6-9 years of relevant work experience in engineering food service equipment required
• CAD skills required (Solidworks preferred)
• Bachelor’s in engineering related program
• Proven ability to lead and contribute to cross functional teams through full NPD lifecycle
• Experience with product testing and regulatory compliance in the food service or appliance industry (NSF, UL, ETL, CSA).
• Hands-on experience in prototyping, testing, and optimizing food service equipment
  
  

Travel Required: None

Work Environment: Manufacturing

Physical Demands

• Wear safety attire and protective gear when going to the plant floor.
• Sit, Talk, or hear, and use hands to finger, handle or touch objects or controls.
• Regularly stand and walk.
• On occasion may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 lb.
• Close vison, distance vision, color vison, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• This position is primarily an office-based position with regular visits to the plant floor.
• Often exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels when on the plant floor.
• Are exposed to hazardous equipment on the plant floor.
• May be exposed to contaminant.
• May share workspace with others.