• Senior Product Development Engineer

    The Fountainhead Group, Inc. (New York Mills, NY)


    Position Title: Senior Product Development Engineer

     

    Reports To: VP of Engineering

     

    Position Overview: Responsible for the management of product engineering projects including new product development, product line extensions, existing product improvements, and product cost reductions.

    Tasks & Responsibilities:

    + Take a leadership role in the development and improvement of FGI product lines by managing engineering projects from concept to commercialization, and coordinating related activities across the company.

    + Projects range in size from small product improvements, through product line extensions, and up to major new product launches.

    + Develop and execute project plans for engineering projects including overall project approach, team members and roles, known manufacturing locations, key suppliers/partners, initial make/buy proposal, and major project challenges.

    + Create and manage project timelines (in MS Project). Monitor critical path items to ensure projects stay on schedule and meet critical milestones, including project deliverables related to product performance, quality, cost, and production launch.

    + Lead and participate in the product design and development process for assigned projects. This includes high level design oversight and some detailed CAD design work, to guide the team to the optimal product design solution. Conduct regular design reviews with design engineers to evaluate options, solve problems, and ensure product specifications and project goals are achieved.

    + Create and develop detailed Engineering Bills of Material.

    + Create cost estimates, and refine and track product cost during product development process to ensure cost targets are met.

    + Estimate capital equipment costs and timeline for expenditure.

    + Create purchase requisitions for prototypes, materials, tooling, or equipment as needed to support projects.

    + Develop product test plans to ensure product performance meets specifications, FGI quality standards, and customer requirements.

    + Participate in Instruction Manual development to support new projects or product updates.

    + Work collaboratively with all other departments to ensure good communication of important project information needed to meet project goals.

    + Work collaboratively with outside design and engineering firms to develop new products to expand beyond FGI’s internal design engineering capacity.

    + Work collaboratively with, and travel to, domestic and overseas suppliers to address project challenges, manufacturability issues, timelines, product cost, etc.

    + Identify possible opportunities to obtain patents to protect intellectual property developed by FGI. Work with legal team to provide documentation necessary to support patent applications.

    + Investigate, research, test, and prove out design proposals for improvements to cost, performance, manufacturability, ease-of-use, customer value, etc.

    + Participate in continuous improvement activities within the engineering department and with other departments. Identify weaknesses in current products and processes, and propose changes that support departmental and company goals.

    + Provide Engineering support to Production Control, Manufacturing, QC, and Purchasing on disposition and corrective action for non-conforming material.

    + Adhere to all department policies and procedures.

    + Engineering tasks as assigned by VP of Product Engineering to include, but not limited to, idea generation, problem solving, investigation, cost analysis, feasibility research, manufacturability research, detail design, design validation, manufacturing validation and support, QC support, documentation, cost reduction.

    Requirements:

    + 4- year engineering degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university

    + 7+ years of experience in an engineering position at a manufacturing facility

    + 5+ years of experience in new product development.

    + 3+ years of experience with CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).

    + Ability to work with a cross-functional team, including members from all levels of the company, to achieve project goals.

    + Ability to work with suppliers, including travel (domestic and overseas) to visit.

    + Detailed knowledge of engineering drawings including ability to understand, create, revise, and check.

    + Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability, particularly injection molding and associated component design requirements.

    + MS Office Products – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project.

    About Us:

    The Fountainhead Group, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company, dedicated to the success and longevity of our business, our employees, and our community. For more than 130 years, FGI has been creating, innovating, and manufacturing liquid sprayer products for the world's top brands and retailers, driven by the hard work of our FGI Family of employees. Across four manufacturing and distribution centers in CNY, our commitment to the betterment of our employees and our community is demonstrated in our robust philanthropy and volunteer programs, supporting more than 350+ local nonprofits and ensuring the success of the community for generations of the FGI Family to come.

     

    The Fountainhead Group Inc. is an AAE/EEO employer.