Product Development Mechanical Engineer

Location: Maple Grove, MN
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Shift: First Shift
Salary Range: $75,000-$95,000 annually
Travel: Up to 10%

Position Summary

The Product Development Mechanical Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and improving Timesavers' industrial machinery from concept through production. This position focuses on creating practical, innovative mechanical solutions that enhance product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and customer value.

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Service, and Sales, this role leads and supports product development projects while driving continuous improvement across existing product lines. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical design skills with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and enjoys seeing designs evolve into finished products.

Essential Responsibilities

Product Development

• Design and develop new machine components, assemblies, and product enhancements.
• Participate in all phases of product development, including concept development, design, prototyping, testing, validation, and production release.
• Evaluate prototype performance and incorporate testing results and customer feedback into final designs.
• Develop practical engineering solutions that improve machine performance, reliability, safety, and serviceability.

Mechanical Design

• Create 3D models, detailed manufacturing drawings, and bills of material using SOLIDWORKS.
• Design welded fabrications, structural frames, sheet metal components, conveyors, drive systems, and mechanical assemblies.
• Perform engineering calculations, component selection, tolerance analysis, and design verification.
• Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, maintainability, and product quality throughout the design process.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve product performance, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) initiatives.
• Participate in root cause analysis, corrective actions, and engineering problem-solving activities.
• Assist with product standardization and cost reduction initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure designs are practical, efficient, and production-ready.
• Work closely with Controls Engineering to integrate mechanical and electrical systems.
• Partner with Supply Chain to identify cost-effective components and qualified suppliers.
• Support Service and Technical Support teams with product troubleshooting and improvement initiatives.
• Provide engineering support to Sales and Product Management on customer applications and product enhancements.

Prototype Development & Testing

• Support prototype builds, product validation, and machine testing.
• Analyze test data and recommend design improvements.
• Assist with equipment startup, troubleshooting, and occasional field evaluations.

Documentation & Configuration Control

• Maintain engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and revision history.
• Process Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Prepare technical documentation, test reports, and engineering records.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5-8 years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably designing industrial machinery, automation equipment, or capital equipment.
• Proficiency with SOLIDWORKS or comparable 3D CAD software.
• Experience designing welded structures, sheet metal fabrications, and mechanical assemblies.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Machine design principles
  • Power transmission systems
  • Bearings and motion-control systems
  • Structural design
  • Fabrication and machining processes
  • Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management abilities.

Preferred

• Experience designing industrial machinery, finishing equipment, conveyors, or material handling systems.
• Knowledge of pneumatic systems and industrial automation.
• Experience using PDM and ERP systems.
• Background in prototype development, testing, and product validation.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a practical, collaborative engineer who enjoys solving real-world mechanical challenges and seeing designs come to life. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between CAD design, prototype testing, and hands-on collaboration on the manufacturing floor. You take ownership of your work, communicate effectively across departments, and understand how to balance engineering creativity with practical manufacturing requirements.

If you enjoy developing innovative industrial machinery and contributing to products that make a meaningful impact for manufacturers around the world, we'd like to hear from you.