Product Development Mechanical Engineer

OVERVIEW

Fortified Brands seeks a Product Development Engineer II to support the design and development of innovative building products across its growing portfolio of brands.

This role is well suited for an engineer ready to grow into greater responsibility, with broad exposure and hands-on involvement throughout the product lifecycle. You will work in a lean, fast-paced team where your contributions directly shape product success from concept to commercialization, and you will be expected to take ownership of key components or projects with increasing autonomy.

OUR PURPOSE

Build and invest in businesses that positively impact the world.

OUR NICHE

Fostering and developing products, solutions, and systems.

OUR CORE VALUES

Lead with Positivity and Respect – We foster trust, optimism, and respect in every interaction.

Compete as a Team – We foster collaboration and teamwork, knowing we win together.

Innovate with Purpose – We create bold, lasting solutions that make a real impact.

Inspire Growth – We fuel the growth of people, businesses, and brands through bold ideas and relentless execution.

Own It and Deliver Value – We take responsibility, act with clarity, and ensure our work creates real impact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Product Design & Development

• Design and develop components, assemblies, and product concepts from ideation through production
• Create 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings in SolidWorks
• Contribute to and influence design decisions focused on performance, cost, durability, and manufacturability
• Participate in design reviews and continuous improvement across product lines

Engineering Analysis & Validation

• Perform engineering analyses, including FEA, tolerance stack-ups, and material selection, to support design decisions
• Build and test prototypes to validate function and performance
• Analyze results and recommend design improvements
• Support third-party testing to ensure performance and compliance

Manufacturing & Supplier Support

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams and suppliers on DFM/DFA initiatives
• Support and help execute prototype builds, pilot runs, and production launch
• Provide technical support for material selection, fabrication, and assembly processes

Code Compliance & Product Integrity

• Help ensure products meet applicable building codes and industry standards
• Assist in developing test plans and coordinating with third-party labs as needed

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Management, Sales, Operations, and external stakeholders to define requirements and execute projects
• Own assigned projects and deliverables while managing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Communicate progress, risks, and solutions clearly across teams

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Achievement Focus – Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; recognizes and acts on opportunities; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delay, or unexpected events.

Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.

Attention to Detail – Demonstrates thoroughness in accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved; carefully monitors the details of own and others’ work to ensure accuracy and quality; plans and organizes time and resources efficiently; completes all work according to procedures and standards.

Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

Customer Focus – Identifies and prioritizes customer needs and recognizes constraints; responds promptly to customer needs; seeks to find out more about customers and provide a better product or service; adopts professional approach to customers; is reliable and delivers on promises.

Design – Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; demonstrates attention to detail.

Initiative – Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current development; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.

Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Project Management – Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.

Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity – Meets productivity standards; completes work in a timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.

Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Technical Expertise – Effectively applies technical knowledge to solve a range of problems; develops solutions to problems that cannot be solved using existing methods or approaches; is sought out to provide advice or solutions in the area of expertise; keeps informed about current developments in the area of expertise.

Use of Technology – Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills up to date.

QUALIFICATIONS: 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience/Additional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 3–5 years of product development or design engineering experience
• Experience taking products from concept through prototyping into production
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including parts, assemblies, and drawings
• Experience with FEA or similar analysis tools
• Knowledge of materials such as metals, polymers, and composites, and related manufacturing processes
• Ability to read and create engineering drawings and documentation
• Exposure to building products, structural systems, or outdoor consumer products is a plus

Certificates/Licenses/Registrations

• None

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates primarily in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required personal protective equipment including steel toe shoes, hearing protection, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements. Light to moderate lifting is required.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The above job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change based on organizational needs and other factors.