MISSION
PD Instore is a future-forward creator of brand solutions that enlightens, inspires, and transforms the consumer’s experience.
ABOUT PD
Founded in 1938, PD is a world-renowned design-to-build partner that crafts custom, future-forward brand solutions for some of the largest brands in retail.
Summary
The Design Engineer works within the framework of the Engineering Team as an expert in design concept development, bringing experienced production design perspective and excellent creative problem solving to the front end of the project development process, ensuring that every design concept is tailored to fit the precise needs of the customer as well as optimized to fit PD production capabilities.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Gathers and reviews sales process documentation, sketches, renderings, design decks, customer provided drawings, product specifications, estimates and more to fully understand customer expectations.
- Coordinates with project management personnel, sales staff, and customer representatives to further define the design intent.
- Develops creative and effective build strategy concepts that best fit all project parameters.
- Uses an array of visual communication mediums (hand sketch, SketchUp, SolidWorks, Adobe Suite, etc.) to efficiently convey design concepts while working with the customer.
- Considers a wide range of construction methods to work with wood, metal, and plastic materials to make well-informed build strategy decisions.
- Utilizes an expert working knowledge of SolidWorks to provide complete, detailed, and accurate drawings to manufacturing operations.
- Collaborates with engineering, production, and vendor resources to both verify fixture build strategies and to explore new creative solutions.
- Utilizes an expert working knowledge of SolidWorks to produce drawing sets for customer design approval and generate CAD models to be used when developing production details after the approval process.
- Works withing the engineering team as a collaborative resource, effective at reviewing and continuously improving fixture designs as they move through the full design & manufacturing process.
- Continuously balances independent design work with customer & resource collaboration.
- Maintains records using a document control process.
- Proactively communicates project status, challenges, and issues.
- Proofreads and submits documentation, which is comprehensive, accurate and complies with PD brand standards.
- Fosters a culture that values family, innovation, collaboration, and empowerment.
- Follow all safety and workplace policies.
- All other duties as required.
Competencies and Skills
- Excellent organizational, research and analytical skills
- Mechanical intuition, creative problem solving, spatial reasoning, and attention to detail.
- Flexible design skills: design for assembly/manufacturability, tolerance analysis, design for rapid prototyping, design for high volume manufacturing, technology integration.
- Proficient in 3D Solid Modeling software, preferably SolidWorks.
- Ability to clearly communicate production details through drawings.
- Understanding of how products are built, their intended functionality and design efficiency.
- Excellent communication skills: ability to clearly communicate production details through drawings, thrives in collaborative design efforts.
- Ability to work productively and creatively with limited supervision.
- Ability to accept critiques and make changes accordingly.
- Ability to multitask and meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent visual communication skills.
- Readily exercises discretion and independent judgment when performing job-related duties.
- Ability to demonstrate and apply our workplace values.
- Flexibility to travel between multiple PD locations
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
Education/Experience
- 6+ years of design drafting experience in wood, metal, and plastic product manufacturing: experience with retail clients preferred.
- Degree in design (architectural, industrial, engineering) or equivalent experience preferred.
- Experience in the full design process, from concept through manufacturing
- Experience with outside customer contact a plus
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
- Walking, sitting, bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting may be required throughout the workday.
- Regularly required to stand or sit and move about the facility(s). Employees may occasionally lift or move up to 35lbs.
Skills Required
- 6+ years of design drafting experience in wood, metal, and plastic product manufacturing
- Expert working knowledge of SolidWorks to produce detailed drawings and CAD models
- Proficient in 3D solid modeling and CAD
- Ability to communicate production details clearly through drawings and collaborate with production and vendors
- Experience in the full design process from concept through manufacturing
- Flexible to travel between multiple PD locations
- Degree in design (architectural, industrial, engineering) or equivalent experience
- Experience with outside customer contact
- Familiarity with SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite for visual communication
- Ability to lift or move up to 35 lbs occasionally and perform physical tasks as needed
What We Do
PD Instore is a Minnesota-based design-to-build partner specializing in in-store visual merchandising solutions for the retail industry. They create future-forward brand solutions, including custom fixtures, POP displays, and full retail environments that enhance the consumer experience. By integrating creative design, engineering, and manufacturing, they help global brands elevate their physical presence through high-end, innovative store environments and strategic visual merchandising.
