What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Engr. II position at Wanzl North America?
Position Overview
Designs, develops, and tests all aspects of mechanical components, equipment, and machinery. Applies knowledge of engineering principles to design products for customer solutions such as shopping carts, access gates, and store fixtures.
Company And Opportunity Overview
WNA’s vision is to be a leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions. WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from online purchase to their customers.
WNA is headquartered in the Charlotte Metro Area, North Carolina. With around 500 employees and ~$200M of sales, WNA focuses on the retail and distribution market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and the majority of large grocers and retailers.
In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three additional main product segments as well as a Service business, providing turnkey solutions for customer guidance (Access Systems), Shelving & Fixtures, and Material Handling products.
Access Solutions provides sophisticated customer guidance and loss prevention systems for major retailers. With German-engineered products and a strong installed base, this segment focuses on protecting existing market share while expanding into adjacent opportunities in smart retail, autonomous store technology, and digital integration.
Additionally, WNA offers a range of digital solutions integrated into our products, including advanced shopping cart containment systems, smart exit gate technology, and innovations for autonomous and semi-autonomous retail stores. We are continuously expanding and enhancing our digital offerings to meet evolving customer needs and drive industry advancement.
WNA is part of the Wanzl Group, headquartered in Germany, and has 12 plants in 8 countries, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360° service.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Maintain CAD file PDM vault
- Assist co-workers with SolidWorks and PDM usage and training
- Analyze, testing and review designs for safety, sustainability, and cost
- Create effective and efficient 3D models from sketches or a blank workspace
- Creative mindset for designing new features on existing products or entirely new products
- Ability to problem solve problems for customers
- Follow product development process though until successful ramp up in manufacturing or outside process then follow up (plan-do-check-act)
- Test and analyze product
- Revise current drawings as needed
- Support Tool & Die/manufacturing/purchasing department with engineering needs
Skills And Experience
- BS in related field preferred; minimum 4-year degree and/or technical certification
- Proficiency in SolidWorks CAD Environment and PDM Vault or compatible alternative (SolidWorks will be used)
- Minimum 2 years of Product Development Experience; proven industrial drafting/design experience necessary
- Minimum 2 years design experience in manufacturing setting
- Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office products or compatible alternative
- Experience in wire/tubing products preferred
- Injection molding or metal welding experience would be a plus
- Able to manage multiple projects in workload
- Must have experience reverse engineering products
- Strong interpersonal organizational and communication skills
- Highly motivated, innovative
- Ability to work effectively independently or with a team
- Effective planning/organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to multi-task and set priorities
- Minimal travel historically required