Design Engineer II - PPE

Join our PPE New Product Development (NPD) team and help design the next generation of safety gear. As a Design Engineer II, you will take ownership of critical design work-turning user needs, new technologies, and engineering fundamentals into PPE products that move from concept to production.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on problem solving, thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and wants to see their designs worn by thousands of users worldwide. Every product you design here protects someone on the jobsite. That responsibility drives everything we do.

What You’ll Do

• Design and develop PPE products from early concept through mass production
• Apply engineering fundamentals (CAD, GD&T, materials, biomechanics, FEA) to solve real-world safety challenges
• Plan and execute design verification & validation testing, ensuring performance, safety, and regulatory compliance
• Analyze test data and present clear engineering recommendations to project leaders and stakeholders
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, and suppliers to ensure successful product launches
• Support multiple projects simultaneously, balancing priorities with moderate supervision
• Build and test prototypes using a hands-on, learn-fast approach

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Drive design improvements to enhance performance, durability, cost, and manufacturability
• Solve design and manufacturing issues using root cause analysis
• Contribute new ideas, challenge assumptions, and help foster a culture of innovation
• Share knowledge and mentor junior engineers as our team grows
• Stay current with PPE standards, industry trends, and emerging technologies

• BS in Textile Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, * 2-5 years of product design and development experience
• Experience with PPE, textiles, plastics, elastomers, biomechanics, or regulated products is a plus

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar)
• Solid understanding of engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes
• FEA (ANSYS), statistical analysis (Minitab), or similar tools are a plus

Professional Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Clear communicator who works well on cross-functional teams
• Comfortable taking ownership and working independently
• Passion for safety and user-focused design
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• On-site amenities including fitness center and food service
• Meaningful work with visible impact on jobsite safety
• A culture that values learning, ownership, and continuous improvement

Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

At Milwaukee Tool, we’re not just building tools; we’re revolutionizing the construction industry. Our unwavering commitment to innovation drives us to create disruptive new technologies and solutions that enhance safety and productivity for tradespeople worldwide.

Our PPE team sits at the intersection of engineering, materials, and user-driven innovation, delivering safety products that are trusted on the jobsite every day to protect and empower the tradespeople who build our world.