Our Core Values
ELEVATE EVERYTHING – We each bring a specific set of skills to the table, offering up our expertise and resources to enhance the work of others. We challenge each other to be the best in order to achieve enduring value in the eyes of our customers.
BETTER IS BETTER – There is no finish line; we strive for continuous improvement in everything we do. We obsess over every detail to find ways to improve both our products and our process.
UNAPOLOGETICALLY ACCOUNTABLE – We’re open and honest in how we speak and listen. We celebrate each other’s successes, and collectively rally to solve every challenge. We own it!
COURAGEOUS INNOVATION – There are elegant ideas awaiting discovery in everything we do. We push everyone around us to pursue those ideas openly so we can continue to dominate the category.
COMMUNITY DRIVEN - As a family business, we understand the importance of enriching the communities we call home. As a company, and as individuals, we work to make our expertise available to do the most good for those around us.
Job Summary
The Senior Innovation Engineer leads the development of new product technologies from ambiguous problem spaces through validated, handoff‑ready solutions. This role operates with high autonomy and technical authority, owning complex innovation initiatives that span multiple projects, disciplines, or product platforms.
The Senior Innovation Engineer sets technical direction, defines experiment rigor, mentors other engineers, and ensures technologies are matured with the discipline required for successful transition into New Product Introduction (NPI) and Operations.
This is not a sustaining or production support role. Success is measured by strategic technical impact, quality of downstream adoption, and elevation of team capability.
Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Project Ownership
- Own and lead complex innovation projects with significant ambiguity and cross‑functional impact.
- Define project strategy, scope, priorities, risks, and decision frameworks.
- Drive alignment across Design Engineering, Manufacturing/Development Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Marketing.
Experiment Strategy & Rigor
- Define experiment strategy, test architectures, and validation approaches for novel technologies.
- Ensure experiments are statistically meaningful, repeatable, and aligned with downstream requirements.
- Review and approve test plans, results, and conclusions produced by other engineers.
Product Design & Technology Architecture
- Lead product design efforts required to mature technologies for productization.
- Make informed trade‑offs across performance, manufacturability, cost, risk, and timeline.
- Establish design guidelines, lessons learned, and reusable technical standards.
Ideation, Road mapping & Mentorship
- Lead brainstorming, concept development, and technology exploration aligned with strategic focus areas.
- Identify white‑space opportunities and guide early feasibility work.
- Mentor Innovation Engineer I and II roles through coaching and hands‑on support.
Handoff Excellence & Organizational Impact
- Ensure handoff packages meet or exceed Core NPI and Operations expectations.
- Proactively identify downstream risks and mitigation strategies.
- Improve team‑level processes, templates, and methods to increase throughput and rigor.
Safety & Lab Practices
- Model best‑in‑class lab and shop safety behavior.
- Ensure new test methods and builds include appropriate risk assessments.
Qualifications
Required Qualification
- S. in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- 7+ years of experience in product development, R&D, innovation, advanced manufacturing, or test engineering.
- Proven track record of delivering new technologies from concept through NPI handoff.
- Strong product design capability and systems‑level thinking.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technically, influence cross‑functional teams, and mentor others.
- Familiarity with DFMA principles and early manufacturing risk identification.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with DOE or applied statistics beyond basics.
- Hands-on exposure to machining, CNC/CAM, additive manufacturing, or metrology.
- Lean or continuous improvement experience.
- Background in consumer products, tools, outdoor/EDC, or other mechanically intensive products.
Working Conditions
- Working Environment: Office Position
- Physical Demands:
- Lifting to 25 lbs.
- Sitting and talking on the phone for long periods of time.
- Data entry for long periods of time.
- Travel Requirements: As needed, less than 5% of the time.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Top Skills
What We Do
Over the past 30 years, Benchmade has evolved from a small garage in Southern California to a thriving knife manufacturing business located in Oregon City, OR. Motivated to design a knife that embodied the latest manufacturing technology and material, Les de Asis turned his passion into a family owned and operated business that continues to set the standards for production knife manufacturing around the world. Benchmade’s state of the art facility in Oregon City provides convenient access to downtown Portland, the Oregon Coast, and Mt. Hood, making it easy to immerse yourself in the incredible recreation opportunities and the beauty of our home state. Our team of 400+ employees is dedicated to building dependable American products that are capable of serving a wide range of applications and lifestyles, reflected by our diverse product offering. There is one thing we all have in common: The mastery of our craft. It’s the thing that drives us, consumes our minds, and challenges us to be better. It requires relentless work ethic and tireless innovation. It’s a no-nonsense, no-exception, make-it-right drive for constant betterment. We make knives that are meant to be yours, for life. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
