Staff Engineer - Sterling Vikrell

Work Mode: Onsite

Location:Onsite 4 - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

The Staff Engineer - Product serves as a recognizedtechnical authority responsible for leading complex product developmentengineering initiatives within the Sterling Vikrell portfolio. This role drivesthe design, development, and continuous improvement of products, processes, andsystems, applying advanced engineering expertise and judgment to solve highlycomplex problems and deliver innovative, high-quality solutions.

The Staff Engineer partners cross-functionally to definetechnical direction, assess feasibility of new concepts, and ensure engineeringexcellence across product lifecycles-from early concept throughcommercialization and ongoing optimization. This role plays a critical part inadvancing product performance, manufacturability, and cost efficiency whileinfluencing broader engineering standards and best practices.

This position operates as an expert individual contributorwith enterprise-level impact and acts as a key technical resource acrossproduct development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Engineering Leadership

• Lead the design and development of complex and innovative Vikrell products, ensuring alignment to performance, manufacturability, cost, and quality targets
• Provide technical leadership across product development efforts, including concept development, engineering validation, and commercialization
• Solve complex and ambiguous engineering challenges using advanced analysis and sound engineering judgment

Feasibility & Technical Assessment

• Define and execute feasibility studies to evaluate new product concepts, materials, technologies, and manufacturing approaches
• Conduct cost-benefit and risk analysis to support decision-making on product and process changes
• Assess and validate the technical soundness of proposed engineering solutions

Process & Manufacturing Engineering

• Design and optimize manufacturing processes and systems to improve efficiency, consistency, and product quality
• Analyze production challenges and implement engineering solutions to enhance Vikrell manufacturing performance
• Support equipment, tooling, and process improvements to enable scalable production

Standards, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and influence engineering standards, specifications, and best practices across the Vikrell platform
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and internal engineering standards
  Identify opportunities to improve product performance, cost structure, and manufacturing processes, and lead implementation efforts

Innovation & Technical Strategy

• Drive innovation through new materials, technologies, and product design approaches
• Contribute to long-term product and process strategy, identifying opportunities for technical differentiation
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across engineering and cross-functional teams

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence

• Partner closely with Product Management, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Industrial Design teams to deliver integrated product solutions
• Provide expert guidance and technical leadership to project teams and junior engineers
• Influence decision-making through strong technical expertise and business insight

Knowledge Sharing & Capability Building

• Serve as a subject matter expert in Vikrell materials, product design, and manufacturing processes
• Lead knowledge sharing, documentation, and best practice development across teams
• Mentor and support the development of engineering talent within the organization [

Key Skills & Capabilities

• Advanced engineering design and development (mechanical systems, materials, manufacturing processes)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities in complex and ambiguous environments
• Expertise in feasibility analysis, validation, and engineering decision-making
• Deep knowledge of product development processes (NPD/NPI) and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to influence technical direction and lead without direct authority
• Proficiency in engineering tools (e.g., CAD, FEA, process analysis, validation testing)

Behavioral Competencies

• Manages complexity and integrates diverse inputs to solve challenging problems
• Ensures accountability and drives outcomes across projects and teams
• Demonstrates strong decision quality in high-impact, ambiguous situations
• Collaborates effectively across functions to achieve shared objectives
• Cultivates innovation and drives continuous improvement

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or related field from an ABET accredited program (mechanical, electrical, or industrial preferred).
• Significant experience (6+ years) in product development engineering, manufacturing/process engineering, or related disciplines
• Proven track record leading complex engineering projects and delivering innovative solutions
• Experience mentoring engineers or providing technical leadership preferred

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you'll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $103,900 - $160,000. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate's experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.