Design Engineer

Location: Akron Polymer Products, Akron, OhioPosition SummaryThe Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and launch of new products, tooling, and manufacturing processes related to thermoplastic tube assemblies, overmolded components, filters, and related automotive and industrial products. This position works directly with customers, suppliers, quality, production, and maintenance teams to develop robust product and process designs that meet customer requirements while supporting manufacturability, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.The ideal candidate is hands-on, comfortable in a manufacturing environment, and capable of taking ownership of projects from quotation through production launch.Essential ResponsibilitiesProduct Design & Development

• Design thermoplastic tube assemblies, overmolded components, molded products, and related assemblies.
• Develop 3D CAD models, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Review customer prints, specifications, and requirements.
• Perform tolerance stack-ups and design-for-manufacturing analysis.
• Recommend suitable materials based on mechanical, thermal, chemical, and application requirements.
• Support prototype design, build, and evaluation activities.

Tooling & Equipment Development

• Design and specify fixtures, gauges, mandrels, nests, check fixtures, forming tools, and assembly aids.
• Work with external toolmakers and equipment suppliers to develop manufacturing tooling.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and production qualification activities.
• Develop equipment specifications and procurement requirements for new machinery.

Manufacturing Support

• Collaborate with production personnel to troubleshoot product and process issues.
• Improve yields, reduce scrap, and increase manufacturing efficiency.
• Assist in process development for extrusion, thermoforming, tube bending, overmolding, assembly, and automated manufacturing operations.
• Generate and maintain work instructions and engineering standards.

Project Management

• Manage engineering projects from award through production launch.
• Track timing, open issues, costs, and deliverables.
• Coordinate activities with customers, suppliers, quality, purchasing, and manufacturing teams.
• Provide regular project status updates to management and customers.

Quality & Validation

• Support PFMEA, Control Plans, Flow Diagrams, and PPAP submissions.
• Develop validation plans and testing requirements.
• Analyze test results and recommend corrective actions.
• Investigate customer concerns and implement permanent corrective actions when required.
• Support customer and internal audits.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve quality, capacity, safety, and cost.
• Lead engineering-driven cost reduction initiatives.
• Research and implement new materials, technologies, and manufacturing methods.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma activities., Typical Projects
• Design of overmolded thermoplastic tube assemblies.
• Development of tube bending and thermoforming tooling.
• Design of inspection fixtures and gauges.
• Customer prototype builds and PPAP launches.
• Automation and robotics implementation projects.
• Material conversion and cost reduction initiatives.
• Manufacturing capacity expansion projects.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of engineering experience in product design or manufacturing.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks and/or NX preferred).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and project management abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• Experience with thermoplastics, polymer processing, or automotive components.
• Experience with extrusion, thermoforming, injection molding, overmolding, or tube forming processes.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, and Control Plans.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and manufacturing costing.
• Experience with automation, robotics, and vision systems.
• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing training.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time completion of engineering projects.
• Successful product launches and PPAP approvals.
• Engineering change responsiveness.
• Scrap and cost reduction achievements.
• Customer satisfaction and issue resolution.
• Tooling and equipment project execution within budget.
• Compliance with quality system requirements.

2.32.3 out of 5 stars Akron, OH $80,000 - $100,000 a year - Full-time, Pulled from the full job description

• Professional development assistance
• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance, * 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance