Research & Development Engineer in Superior, WI at Barko Hydraulics LLC

Job Description

INNOVATION LEAD

• Utilize a passion of heavy equipment to drive innovation across entire product line and beyond for market share growth. Operate in a team environment working closely with other business functions to lead research and development projects.

IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

• Develop a thorough understanding of relevant markets.
• Identify market opportunities and unmet needs through voice of customer work.
• Develop creative solutions to fulfill market needs.
• Conduct market research including evaluation of similar products and their functions.
• Establish and evaluate business cases for proposed projects.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and marketing departments on product feasibility.
• Lead discussions with business management to review and prioritize opportunities.

DEVELOP AND VALIDATE CONCEPTS

• Own and manage each development project through a stage-gate process while working closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Sales, Finance, Product Support and Marketing functions.
• Lead engineering and design for each project.
• Utilize engineering tools such as: FMEAs, FEA, 8D problem resolution process, and risk assessments to validate the design content.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards.
• Present product designs and plans to stakeholders.
• Lead assembly of prototype designs.
• Develop test and validation plan.
• Conduct testing of prototype machines or components in actual or simulated field conditions in accordance with the test and validation plan.
• Capture machine data with data acquisition equipment.
• Use advanced analytical and mathematical skills to conduct in-depth data analysis to evaluate product performance and design integrity.
• Perform root cause analysis for product issues and drive timely resolution.
• Review and release drawings created in SolidWorks.

SUPPORT CURRENT PRODUCTS

• Redesign existing products to enhance functionality or reduce costs.
• Lead data driven investigation, resolution, and corrective action implementation related to customer field issues.
• Lead timely resolution of manufacturing related issues.
• Provide technical support to sales, marketing, manufacturing, quality, supply management and customer service organizations.

ASSIST IN MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION AND TOOLS:

• Participate in the structuring, release, and maintenance of the assigned product lines: bills of materials, published technical specifications, and other related documentation.
• Follow the standards established in the Barko Engineering Standards Manual, while also developing new standards and revising existing standards.

Job Requirements

Experience and Education:

• Experience: Minimum 7+ years’ experience in engineering.  Experience with research and development, project management and heavy equipment, as well as design of mechanical, electrical and control systems preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering or related field required.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal communication.
• Technology:  Strong working knowledge of MS Office, SolidWorks, Finite Element Analysis, PDM software, data acquisition software and ERP/MRP software preferred.  General knowledge of MathCAD, DraftSight, Parker IQAN, and Zuken E3 preferred.
• Skills: Ability to work in a self-directed manner and drive forward progress with ambiguous data.  Advanced organizational and analytical skills.  Passion for learning and ability to quickly learn new subjects. 

Supervisory Responsibility - This position may supervise Design Engineers, Designer/Detailers and/or Design Engineering Interns.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work - This is a full-time position. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel - This position requires occasional travel, including overnight travel outside the local area.

Work Environment - The position operates in a professional office environment using standard office equipment such as computers, tablets, phones, copiers and filing cabinets.  The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and moving mechanical parts.

Physical Requirements - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the Senior Design Engineer position 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 and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms, lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds, balance, bend, stoop or kneel, climb, push/pull and squat, or crouch.