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At Yakima we believe in connecting you, your family, friends and all your favorite gear to your desired destination or activity through our mission of enhancing the journey and earning trust every day. As part of the Yakima Advanced Development Team, this position is responsible for the technical development and engineering execution of aftermarket product concepts during the Concept Phase of the Yakima Product Development Process.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll do:
- Develop innovative concepts within the Concept Phase of the Yakima Product Development Process.
- Collaborate with Industrial Design, Category Business Management, Global Sourcing, and manufacturing partners to develop innovative products that meet performance, manufacturing, and market requirements.
- Develop CAD models, build and evaluate prototypes, obtain cost estimates, and translate market and product requirements into clear product specifications.
Specifics Include:
- Produce completed engineering work using industry-leading processes and techniques.
- Maintain an Engineering Notebook to document workflow, results, analyses, alternative concepts, and recommended solutions.
- Work closely with Industrial Designers to integrate aesthetic and user experience inputs into engineering designs.
- Work with the Advanced Development Manager and internal resources to develop and drive project schedules.
- Collaborate closely with the Senior Advanced Development Engineer and participate in technical reviews outside the Concept Team through the weekly Tech Panel.
- Collaborate with the Test Team to develop and execute validation plans, including prototype and production testing to verify product performance and feasibility.
- Work with manufacturing partners and the Cost Manager to create product and tooling cost estimates.
- Take technical ownership of assigned projects, working with cross-functional teams and internal and offshore engineering resources to ensure concepts meet user experience, innovation, performance, manufacturability, and project objectives.
- Create and maintain product specification documents.Â
- Follow, influence and improve the Product Development Process.Â
- Keep informed of the latest developments in the field through industry research, professional contacts, trade shows, and attendance at relevant meetings.
- Travel domestically and internationally in support of projects.
- Carry out other duties, responsibilities, and projects as may be assigned, in an effective manner.
What you Bring:
- Bachelor's degree in Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- 6+ years of engineering product development experience, including experience contributing to and driving product development projects with minimal oversight and aggressive timelines.
- 3+ years of consumer product design experience preferred.Â
- Demonstrate a high degree of creativity, curiosity, and innovative thinking.
- Comfort and willingness to operate within the “fuzzy front end” of development when requirements and goals are sometimes not fully defined.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks CAD software, including surfacing and FEA.
- Thorough understanding of manufacturing processes, test methods, and basic machine shop practices, including but not limited to injection molding, vacuum forming, metal fabrication, die casting, and extrusion processes.
- Lean manufacturing experience, offshore manufacturing experience, and mechanism design experience preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in English required; bilingual fluency in Mandarin Chinese is desirable.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently and effectively within cross-functional teams.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills.
- Knowledge of outdoor hard goods and/or automotive industries.Â
- Knowledge of vehicle fitment, vehicle platforms, and the automotive aftermarket preferred.
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Work Environment:
Work takes place in both an office setting as well as Model Shop/Test Lab environment which necessitates the ability to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls and safely operate machinery such as hand drills, drill press, sanders, electric hoists, and various hand tools. This job may require working more than 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours a week. It requires the ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time and communicate effectively with a diverse audience in person, by phone and by computer. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift, push, and carry up to 50lbs. Must be able to travel domestically and/or internationally via commercial carrier. Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license and a good driving record.
Yakima Products has a culture of honesty, respect and trust, and we are committed to providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to their membership in any protected classification such as sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions) genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran, disability (mental or physical), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status protected under applicable local, state, or federal law. Yakima Products is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship including, but not limited to: recruitment, hiring, training, advancement and termination.
Yakima believes in doing the right thing, and is committed to enhancing our diversity, and demonstrating that commitment to our employees, customers and community. The Company promotes diversity by developing policies, programs and procedures that foster a work environment in which differences are respected and employees are treated fairly.
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