The OpportunityBring innovative experiential learning products to life from concept to launch. As a New Product Engineer, you'll play a critical role in transforming ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions by leading the manufacturing and supply chain strategy for new product development. Working closely with suppliers and the Research & Development (R&D) team, you'll ensure products are designed for manufacturability, meet cost objectives, and are prepared for successful production at scale.
Serving as the primary supplier liaison throughout development, you'll drive pilot builds, oversee supplier execution, and lead production readiness efforts to ensure a smooth and successful product launch. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate across teams, influence product success, and make a direct impact on bringing innovative learning experiences to customers.
Join us and play a key role in bringing innovative learning solutions to market.
Why Join Us?When you join Realityworks, you become a co-owner in a company that values your contributions and rewards your success. Our employee-centered culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and shared achievement.
We offer a robust benefits package, including:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): 100% company-funded and designed to grow in value as we succeed together
- Health, Dental, and Life Insurance: Comprehensive coverage to support your well-being
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: With company match up to 6%
- Generous Paid Time Off: Over 20 days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
- Wellness Incentives: Gym reimbursement and healthy living rewards
- Family-Friendly Benefits: Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Including dependent care coverage
- Disability Coverage: Long-term and short-term
- Education Support: Tuition assistance for continued learning
- Community Engagement: Paid volunteer time and donation matching
Key Responsibilities- Collaborates with Procurement to build and manage Request for Quotation (RFQ) packages, identify suppliers, and realize product cost targets
- Serves as primary technical point of contact for suppliers during development
- Drives Design for Manufacturability (DFM) discussions between suppliers and R&D
- Evaluates supplier capabilities and align suppliers to product requirements
- Plans and coordinates pilot builds (engineering builds and final engineering pilots)
- Identifies and resolves issues uncovered during pilot builds (fit, function, quality, yield), with ability to escalate complex issues to R&D team as needed
- Ensures readiness of tooling, manufacturing processes, and quality standards
- Owns supplier readiness and production ramps for product launches
- Resolves supplier-related issues impacting quality, cost, and delivery timelines
- Drives clean and complete handoff of product to Operations
- Tracks product cost versus targets and identifies risks early in development
- Collaborates closely with Project Management, Operations, Quality, and Marketing teams to deliver high quality products on time and budget
- Travels to suppliers domestically and internationally as needed
- Performs other duties as assigned or required
What You'll Bring- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field; or equivalent combination of education and directly-related experience
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, product development, or supplier development
- Experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers
- Experience leading or supporting pilot builds and production ramp
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Desired Qualifications- Experience working with global or overseas suppliers to develop high mix, low volume products
- Exposure to FMEA and product risk assessment
- Familiarity with CAD tools for reviewing 3D models and drawings
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
- Hands-on experience in manufacturing or lab/shop environments
Work Location- Realityworks is located in Eau Claire, WI. This is a primarily onsite position with the option to work a hybrid schedule, splitting time from a home office and working onsite
Travel RequirementsLearn More- Explore our mission and the impact we're making in education at www.realityworks.com.
