What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Engineer position at Rutledge Group Resources, Inc?
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Hydraulics & Product Development
Position Overview
The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will lead the design and development of hydraulic and mechanical systems supporting both new product development and enhancements to existing product lines. This role will drive projects from concept through prototyping, testing, validation, and production release while ensuring performance, quality, reliability, and timeline objectives are achieved.
This individual will provide technical leadership within the engineering team and collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and operations teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead hydraulic and mechanical product development programs, including project planning, timelines, and deliverables
- Design hydraulic systems and structural mechanical components for mobile, industrial, or commercial equipment applications
- Develop hydraulic circuit layouts, component integration, and system packaging concepts
- Perform and review structural and performance analysis, including FEA and hydraulic system evaluations
- Create and manage 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings using CAD software
- Support prototype builds, testing, troubleshooting, and product validation activities
- Collaborate with manufacturing and operations teams to improve manufacturability and production efficiency
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to product reliability, durability, and performance
- Participate in design reviews with internal teams, suppliers, and customers
- Generate technical documentation including specifications, reports, BOMs, work instructions, and engineering change documentation
- Support transition from design into production, including supplier and vendor interaction as needed
- Ensure compliance with applicable industry, safety, and regulatory standards
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 5 years of experience in mechanical design engineering, hydraulic systems, or product development
- Strong experience with hydraulic components and systems including cylinders, valves, pumps, hoses, fittings, manifolds, and power units
- Proficiency in CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, CATIA, or similar
- Experience with FEA, structural analysis, and mechanical system validation
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, fabrication methods, machining, and assembly environments
- Experience supporting prototype builds, product launches, and engineering change management
- Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
Preferred Experience
- Experience designing hydraulic systems for mobile equipment, commercial vehicles, agricultural equipment, heavy equipment, trailers, or industrial machinery
- Familiarity with hydraulic schematics, fluid power systems, and system integration
- Experience working with OEM customers and supplier development activities
- Knowledge of CNC machining, weldments, fabrication, and sheet metal design
- Exposure to DFMEA, DFM, APQP, validation testing, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience working in a fast-paced, project-driven engineering environment