Product Design Engineer

TOGETHER, WE SAVE LIVES

Overview

The Safariland Group is seeking a creative, self-motivated and detail-oriented individual with a passion for product design and development to join the Engineering Team as a Product Engineer. This relatively small and dynamic team of Product, Mechanical and Tool Design Engineers, manufacturing and design technicians, CNC operators, and engineering coordinators is responsible for designing, developing, and launching new products while providing Production teams with engineering support for current product lines as needed. The various product lines consist of handgun holsters, associated mounting accessories and related gear for the commercial, shooting, hunting, outdoor, and/or law enforcement customers which are produced by or in combination of injection molded, thermoformed, cut-sew and/or leather worked manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed 3D Solidworks CAD models of part designs to meet functional requirements with sufficient detail and accuracy to be produced by the intended manufacturing process.
• Create 3D Solidworks CAD model assemblies, with relatively low component count to aid in part design and verification of fit or functionality requirements.
• Create 2D detailed engineering drawings of 3D CAD models using Solidworks.
• Conduct FEA or Plastics (i.e. wall thickness, flow, warpage, sinkage, draft, and undercut) analysis using Solidworks to simulate functional requirements or identify any manufacturing concerns for plastic parts.
• Collaborate with injection mold Tool Engineers or manufacturing and design technicians to optimize design-for-manufacturability.
• Using internal equipment (i.e. 3D printers, CNCs, mills, lathes, sewing machines, or thermoforming equipment) execute and/or coordinate fabrication of prototype parts and assemblies for design evaluation and testing.
• Source and coordinate procurement of new hardware or outsourced fabricated components as needed for prototype testing
• Generate component detail drawings and specifications with sufficient detail to assist Supply Chain teams with sourcing new raw materials or externally fabricated piece parts
• Assist with design and fabrication of any new mechanical or pneumatic table top assembly fixtures required for Production.
• Assist with first article dimensional inspection of molded or purchased parts
• Evaluate test run assembly samples to confirm alignment to fit, form and function design requirements
• Conduct destructive and nondestructive testing in accordance with internal product performance requirements
• Create bills-of-materials (BOMs) for new product designs within ERP system.
• Participate in pilot and test runs for new product line introduction and assembly process training with Manufacturing Engineers.
• Produce internal product documentation, QC reference drawings, assembly aids or work instructions in accordance with internal guidelines.
• Support Marketing, Sales and Patent Lawyers with product design images or written functional and feature overview references as needed.

Skills & Knowledge

• Two (2) to four (4) years of extensive hands-on experience with detailed product design and development for consumer markets is required
• Experience with plastic parts design for injection molding is desirable
• Previous product design experience for thermoforming, vacuum forming or cut-sew manufacturing methods is beneficial
• Mechanical or pneumatic production fixture design experience is a plus
• Sufficient skill with engineering measuring tools or gauges to accurately reverse engineer and create CAD models of physical parts will be needed
• Fundamental experience and comfortable working with hand tools (i.e. drills, drivers, Dremel tools, wrenches, etc.) for prototype assembly is required.
• Experience using 3D printers, desktop scanners or CNC’s, and other manufacturing equipment (i.e. mills, lathes, saws, buffers, sewing machines, etc.) is a bonus
• Working knowledge of handguns, functional mechanisms, related accessories (i.e. lights, optics, etc.) and experience with using holsters is an advantage

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or applicable Product Design or Development degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years and demonstrated modeling proficiency with 3D CAD design software. Certified Solidworks Associate or Professional and/or strong fundamentals with both top-down and bottom-up component design, advanced part modeling and some surfacing capability is ideal.
• Minimum of 1 year experience with creating 2D engineering detail drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5 guidelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with a high-level English proficiency.
• Must be comfortable and willing to work with unloaded and deactivated handguns on a daily basis

Management/Supervisory Responsibilities

• The role reports to Engineering department Director or Manager.
• The Product Engineer role does not have supervisory or people management responsibilities. However, the role will frequently collaborate with the team and guide Engineering Coordinators or Interns with support related tasks for assigned projects.

Schedule/Location

• Full-time position, Monday-Friday.
• Some 8-hour schedule flexibility is available, between 6am and 6pm.
• This is not a hybrid or remote position.
• Role requires on-site attendance in a light manufacturing environment.

Why work at Safariland?
 

At Safariland our colleagues are some of the best and brightest in the industry and we are seeking new team members who exhibit the diverse competencies that will drive The Safariland Group to even greater success while maintaining our culture of being a great place to work. We believe innovation drives winning performance and we constantly challenge ourselves to be the very best in every aspect of our business. We cultivate a work culture driven by our 4 core values; integrity, curiosity, excellence and empowerment and we want associates to be involved in their work and communities so they can achieve their highest level of wellbeing. That is why Safariland offers a comprehensive suite of benefits to promote health and financial security for eligible employees and their families.
 

Eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer paid life insurance and AD&D
• Employer paid disability
• Wellness program
• Adoption assistance
• Tuition assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Work life balance
• Paid time off (PTO), sick leave and paid holidays throughout the calendar year (consistent with relevant state law and company policies)

The Safariland Group believes in the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative actions. We pride ourselves on hiring and developing the best people, without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law.
 
For those applicants with disabilities, if you require reasonable accommodation in searching for a job opening or submitting an application, please contact us by calling 888-469-6455.
 
All employment decisions are solely based on the applicant's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position.