Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.
Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.
We are seeking a Design Engineer for our First Quality Baby Products site located in Macon, GA. This position will be responsible for using 2-D and 3-D CAD systems, designing and overseeing fabrication and installation of machine part/sub-assemblies/schematic designs to support Production, Product Development, Facilities, and Engineering improvement projects.
Primary responsibilities include:
Using general manufacturing experience and equipment/process knowledge, creates machine sub-assembly designs to solve problems and support Production, Product Development, and Engineering improvement projects. Oversees outside fabrications and final installations to ensure desired result is achieved.
Using limited sketches, works with Product Development and Process Engineering to prepare CAD documentation used for product changes.
Using operations knowledge and working closely with Production, Warehousing, Facilities and Engineering, prepares architectural building / equipment arrangement CAD drawings for building modifications, insurance underwriting, compliance permitting, office changes/additions, and new buildings.
With other CAD / Design personnel, maintains and improves drawing control and management system to protect company intellectual property.
Has access to product design and company drawing files and maintains strict document control measures.
Interprets information and sketches provided by customers to create conceptual designs to solve identified problem. Creates effective CAD machine sub-assembly designs that can be fabricated, maintained, and operated efficiently and safely.
Shows sense of urgency with peers and line personnel to maintain focused actions. Workload is generally established with direct customer. Where tasks are not well defined, pushes to get clear problem definition, sets timelines, and aggressively manages his/her efforts to meet commitments.
Uses Infor as required to review assigned work and provide updates used to communicate project status.
Using manufacturing experience and equipment/process knowledge, creates machine designs to solve problems and support Production, Product Development, and Engineering improvement projects. Oversees internal 3D printing activities, outside fabrications and/or final installations to ensure desired result is achieved. May require direct contact with OEM’s or specialty raw material suppliers to define improvement requirements.
The ideal candidate should possess the following:
Either a qualified four-year BS degree in 3-D product/machine design co-op or intern experience, or a two year AS degree in CAD or design disciplines with 3 - 5 years of experience using latest CAD technology for parts detailing and small assembly designs with controlled motions; providing field checks, design improvement concepts, and fabrication / installation oversight.
Formal 2-D and 3-D CAD training with knowledge of metal machining and finishing operations, part plating and coatings selections, fabrication and assembly procedures, parts materials selection, mechanical cams and linkages, pneumatics, mechanical drive transmission design, rotating assembly dynamic balancing, high precision assemblies, general parts dimensioning, and materials selection.
Clear communications and interpersonal skills – both formal and informal.
Direct experience in overseeing outside machine shop fabrications and on-site trade contractors.
Ability to learn new machinery operation quickly and show effective understanding in assisting others in troubleshooting and providing alternate/design improvements. Can handle multiple projects and rapid changes with limited supervision in a fast-paced 24/7 manufacturing environment.
Strong personal computer CAD proficiency and other office applications.
What We Offer You
We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:
- Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
- Paid time off (three-week minimum)
- Medical, dental and vision starting day one
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid parental leave
- Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
- Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
- Tuition assistance
- Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
- ...and more!
First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.
First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.
Skills Required
- Qualified four-year BS degree in 3-D product/machine design
- Two-year AS degree in CAD or design disciplines with 3-5 years experience
- Formal 2-D and 3-D CAD training
- Knowledge of metal machining and finishing operations
- Experience in overseeing outside machine shop fabrications
- Strong personal computer CAD proficiency
What We Do
First Quality was founded over 30 years ago and has grown to become a diversified family of companies with over 4,000 employees. Manufacturing Adult Incontinence Products, Feminine Hygiene Products, Baby Wipes, Adult Washcloths, and Consumer Paper Products, we serve institutional and retail markets throughout the world. Our trusted, household brands include Prevail®, Cuties®, Plenty®, Panda®, and Incognito® Our facilities operate independently to maintain focus on the markets they serve, but benefit from being a part of the First Quality family of companies. We may be spread out across 9 locations and 2 countries, but we are one team! With our focus on innovation, technology, and sustainability, we strive to create the best products that stand out and make a real difference in people’s lives without ever sacrificing quality for affordability. If advanced technology, innovative thinking, and a passion for challenging the status quo excite you, come join our team at First Quality! When you look at one of our job listings what you’ll find is an opportunity: to meet teams who challenge each other to improve, encounter leaders who empower you to experiment, and discover work that inspires you. As a new employee in our FQ family your training begins day one and continues throughout your career as you learn and grow with our organization. Be part of making things better – apply today to join our team at www.firstquality.com/join-us!








