Full Job Description
Position Overview:
The Advanced Technology & Innovation team is seeking an experienced engineer to support the development and evaluation of new technologies and advanced vehicle concepts. In this role, you will lead technical investigations from early concept through functional prototype development and feasibility evaluation. The work requires close collaboration with Design, Engineering, Product, Pre-Development, suppliers, and other technical teams to translate emerging ideas into practical engineering solutions. This position offers the opportunity to move across concept development, detailed engineering, prototype build, physical testing, and technical recommendation in an early-stage development environment.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the design, development, fabrication, integration, and evaluation of advanced vehicle concepts and emerging technologies.
• Translate early concepts and technical ideas into practical engineering solutions suitable for prototype evaluation.
• Develop functional prototypes, vehicle mules, test rigs, and proof-of-concept hardware to assess technical feasibility and performance.
• Perform vehicle-level packaging, architecture, and system-integration studies in support of advanced concepts.
• Define technical objectives, key assumptions, risks, and evaluation criteria for concept investigations.
• Plan and execute component-, subsystem-, and vehicle-level testing appropriate to the maturity of each concept.
• Analyze test results and prototype performance, identify technical risks and integration challenges, and recommend next steps based on technical findings.
• Collaborate with Industrial Design, Studio Engineering, Systems Engineering, Human Factors, Product Management, Pre-Development, manufacturing, suppliers, and other technical groups.
• Coordinate with internal and external subject-matter experts when specialized analysis, testing, or technical capability is required.
• Support the transition of successful concepts into Pre-Development or product-development organizations for further maturation.
• Document technical findings, lessons learned, risks, and recommendations for technical and business leadership, and support technology roadmap and future-product planning activities as required.
Desired Competencies:
• Agility: You quickly evaluate shifting circumstances, pivot direction when needed, and proactively generate multiple options or mitigation strategies to keep work moving forward.
• Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.
• Technical / Functional Expertise: You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required.
• 8 or more years of relevant engineering or product-development experience preferred.
• Experience in automotive, powersports, transportation, agriculture, aerospace, heavy equipment, or other complex-product development strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, vehicle packaging, system integration, and engineering fundamentals.
• Demonstrated experience developing and evaluating functional prototypes.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Creo or an equivalent platform.
• Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication, assembly, testing, or vehicle development preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, early-stage development environments where requirements and solutions may not yet be fully defined.
• Experience developing test plans, conducting technical evaluations, interpreting engineering results, and focusing development work on the highest-value unknowns.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical activities without direct reporting authority and communicate effectively with technical and business audiences.
• Experience working with suppliers, technology partners, laboratories, or external development resources preferred.
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
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The starting pay range for Minnesota is $114,000 to $148,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range.
To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.
At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.
