Harbor Freight Tools

Engineer II, Product Dev & Test (Fixture, Controls & Test Automation)

Harbor Freight Tools • $82K — $124K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering from an accredited University.
  • Proficient in 2D and 3D CAD software for equipment design and drawing production.
  • Experience with PLC and HMI applications, including communication protocols like Modbus and Ethernet.
  • Strong understanding of Mechanical Design or Electric motor theory, depending on engineering background.
  • Knowledge of UL, CSA, and ETL standards.
  • Proficient in MS Office suite, especially Excel and Project.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and modification of test fixtures and equipment.
  • Provide technical support for new product designs and production improvements.
  • Review and update Test Methods to align with industry standards.
  • Conduct failure analysis to enhance product reliability and customer satisfaction.
  • Perform market research and benchmark testing against competitors' products.
  • Identify root causes of product issues and propose cost-effective solutions.
  • Create and review technical documentation, including evaluation and corrective action reports.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
  • 401k plan enrollment for eligible Associates.
  • Accrual of up to 236 hours of paid time off per year.
  • Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year.
Full Job Description
Job Description

This role will focus on evaluating a wide range of products with emphasis on the product and supplier development to improve quality.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead development, assembly, procurement or modification of existing and new test fixtures and equipment.
  • Provide technical support in new product design, existing products and production technique improvements.
  • Review and modify existing Test Methods to meet industry standards (ANSI, SAE, MIL, UL, CSA, ETL Etc.,) and/or product usage model requirements.
  • Performing failure/root cause and returns analysis on products to sustain the long term business growth of the company by providing high value and reliable products to our customers. This involves projects from low customer rated items list (CAPA projects), QA/Complaint handling department, Returns Analysis items (SCARs) and other sources where product complaints might arise.
  • Perform market research to identify equivalent market comps. Order the market comps and perform benchmark testing of HFT products against the market comps to understand the disparity in performance, features and durability of the products.
  • Identifying root causes on why products are not meeting HFT's standards or Customer's expectations and provide viable solutions to improve the product by minimal to no cost additions.
  • Responsible for set up, assembly of items, monitoring & testing of product and cleanup.
  • Responsible for reviewing manuals, quick start guides, packaging, labels and other pertinent literature in order to better understand the complaint/issue at hand and reach viable solutions.
  • Evaluate and validate the fixes/solutions on improved samples received.
  • Write clear evaluation and corrective action reports (CAPA reports, Platypus reports or SCAR reports as needed) with ample pictures that effectively explain the testing done, equipment used, samples and market comps tested, performance data and conclusions that can clearly understood by all levels of the organization and the global supply base.
  • Review and release test reports as required by the manager.
  • Collaborate with Testing Supervisors in both US and Oversees labs and prepare engineering qualification tests procedures & associated data sheets.
  • Collaborate with Testing Supervisors and support the lab in setting up testing equipment and ensuring that all instrumentation is calibrated.
  • Assist the QA leadership in procuring essential testing equipment and instrumentation for both US and Oversees labs.
  • Create Product Specification Sheets and Product Master Indices (PMIs) and ensure that they are promptly filled and complied in the database.
  • Insure timeliness, clarity and accuracy of all technical documentation and correspondence.
  • Work with a wide range of equipment including electronic testing equipment, small motor dynamometer, AC/DC load banks, Data acquisition systems, environmental chambers, hardness testers, and other lab tools.
  • Taking an active role on troubleshooting and analyzing various types of products
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong organizational ability.

Scope
  • Staff supervision and development: No

The anticipated salary range for this position is $82,700-$124,000 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.

Requirements

Education

Education Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering from an accredited University.

Skills
  • Proficient in the use of 2D and 3D CAD software, able to design equipment and produce drawings to send to external suppliers.
  • Proficient in PLC and or HMI applications, interfaces, or embedded controls
  • Experience with integration - using communication protocols such as Modbus, USB, Ethernet, serial connections.
  • Experience with fixture design, fabrication, and machine design.
  • For Mechanical Engineering background: Strong understanding of Mechanical Design, Strength of Materials, Thermodynamics.
  • For Electrical Engineering Background: Strong understanding of Electric motor theory, basic electrical and electronic circuitry and components such as resisters, capacitors, inductors, transformers, relays, transistors, diodes, MOSFETs etc.,
  • Knowledge in UL, CSA and ETL standards.
  • Proficient in MS Office suite (mainly Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project).

Physical Requirements
General office environment requiring ability to:
  • Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time.
  • Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
  • Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
  • The ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Safety
  • Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.


About Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools is a privately held discount tool and equipment retailer headquartered in Calabasas, California. The company was founded in 1977 by Eric Smidt and has grown to become one of the largest tool and equipment retailers in the United States. Harbor Freight Tools offers a wide range of products, including hand tools, power tools, automotive tools, generators, air compressors, and welding equipment. The company operates over 1,000 stores across the United States and employs over 20,000 people.
Learn more about Harbor Freight Tools
Size
20,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1977

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