Northern Tool + Equipment

Project Engineer

Northern Tool + Equipment • $76K — $100K *
Faribault, MN 55021In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
  • Three or more years of engineering experience in product development
  • Experience leading engineering projects and coordinating cross-functional teams
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  • Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Ability to influence stakeholders and drive results without authority
  • Customer-focused with a commitment to quality

Responsibilities

  • Lead multiple product development projects from concept to production launch
  • Drive technical execution of project deliverables aligned with business objectives
  • Collaborate with engineering, product management, sourcing, and manufacturing
  • Develop and maintain project schedules and technical documentation
  • Guide projects through a structured stage-gate product development process
  • Conduct competitive benchmarking and evaluate emerging technologies
  • Prepare and deliver technical presentations to management and stakeholders

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and technical mentorship
  • Collaborative cross-functional team environment
  • Involvement in innovative product development initiatives
  • Potential for impacting quality and customer experience
  • Chance to work with global suppliers and advanced technologies
Full Job Description
Description

What You'll Do

As a Project Engineer, you will provide technical leadership for new product development and continuous improvement initiatives across Northern Tool + Equipment's owned brands and strategic product categories.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead multiple product development projects simultaneously from concept through production launch.
  • Drive technical execution of project deliverables while ensuring alignment with business objectives, quality standards, schedules, and budgets.
  • Collaborate with engineering, product management, sourcing, quality, manufacturing, and supplier partners throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Develop and maintain project schedules, technical requirements, specifications, and development documentation.
  • Guide projects through a structured stage-gate product development process.
  • Conduct competitive benchmarking and evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes.
  • Lead cross-functional project teams and influence stakeholders to achieve project objectives without direct authority.
  • Facilitate engineering design reviews and support robust product development practices.
  • Apply engineering tools and methodologies such as:
    • Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
    • Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)
    • Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)
    • Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
    • Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
    • Tolerance stack-up analysis
    • Design Review Based on Failure Mode (DRBFM)
  • Support manufacturing strategy development to improve quality, reliability, delivery, and cost performance.
  • Monitor tooling investments, product costs, and project expenditures throughout development.
  • Coordinate product testing, validation, prototyping, and issue resolution activities.
  • Analyze manufacturing and field performance issues and recommend effective engineering solutions.
  • Prepare and deliver technical presentations, project updates, and recommendations to management and stakeholders.
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers and designers assigned to project teams.
  • Support product launches and provide technical expertise to marketing, sales, service, and other business functions.
What Success Looks Like

The ideal candidate is a technically strong engineer who can balance engineering excellence with project execution.

You will be successful if you:
  • Take ownership and drive projects to completion.
  • Build strong relationships and effectively manage by influence.
  • Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Enjoy solving complex engineering and manufacturing challenges.
  • Can effectively prioritize multiple projects and competing deadlines.
  • Focus on delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences.
Qualifications
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • Three or more years of engineering experience involving product development, product design, manufacturing, or related engineering environments.
  • Experience leading engineering projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive results without direct authority.
  • Customer-focused mindset and commitment to quality.
Preferred
  • Experience developing consumer products, industrial equipment, outdoor power equipment, tools, or similar products.
  • Proficiency with Creo (Pro/ENGINEER) or comparable 3D CAD software.
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience.
  • Experience with GD&T, DFMEA, PFMEA, DFM, DRBFM, and tolerance stack-up analysis.
  • Experience utilizing formal project management tools and methodologies.
  • Experience working with global suppliers and manufacturing partners.

About Northern Tool + Equipment

Northern Tool + Equipment is a retailer of tools and equipment for do-it-yourselfers, contractors, and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota. Northern Tool + Equipment operates over 100 retail stores in 21 states, as well as an online store. The company offers a wide range of products, including power tools, hand tools, generators, pressure washers, air compressors, welding equipment, and more. Northern Tool + Equipment is committed to providing high-quality products and excellent customer service to its customers.
Learn more about Northern Tool + Equipment
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Retail & Consumer Goods
* Ladders Estimates

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