Product Engineer (58401)

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

PGI is a privately held company, established in 1996.  We are a leading supplier of private label solutions in the automotive industry.  Our focus is on designing, manufacturing and distributing products for automotive, diesel, power-sports and specialty filter markets.  Our supply chain network now branches across the Pacific and into South America.

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of filtration products for the automotive aftermarket. The position includes design responsibility for internally manufactured products and technical evaluation of externally sourced products. The ideal candidate will have experience in mechanical product design, filtration technology, material selection, and performance validation. This role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain, to ensure products meet customer requirements, industry standards, and manufacturing capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Design and develop new filtration products and components, including establishing engineering specifications, drawings, material requirements, and performance criteria.
• Define product specifications and requirements based on customer needs, market trends, and applicable industry standards.
• Evaluate mechanical design characteristics, including material selection, thickness, geometry, stress, and structural strength, to ensure components meet pressure, deflection, durability, and performance requirements.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate product designs, including filtration efficiency, dirt-holding capacity, pressure drop, burst pressure, structural integrity, and service life.
• Develop, review, and approve engineering drawings and specifications to ensure compliance with design and performance requirements.
• Coordinate and manage prototype and sample approval processes, including dimensional inspections and performance testing.
• Evaluate and approve engineering design changes, material substitutions, and product modifications to ensure continued compliance with performance requirements.
• Conduct engineering analysis, experiments, and testing to optimize product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Management to support new product introductions, production processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Investigate product failures and performance concerns, identify root causes, and support corrective actions.
• Stay current with filtration technology, materials, manufacturing processes, and applicable industry standards.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, including product specifications, drawings, test reports, and design validation records.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
•    Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
•    At least 5 years of experience in product engineering, mechanical design, or product development, preferably in automotive filtration or a related manufacturing industry.
•    Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including material properties, stress analysis, structural mechanics, and component design.
•    Knowledge of filtration technology, including media performance metrics such as efficiency, dirt-holding capacity, pressure drop, and service life.
•    Experience in mechanical product design, engineering drawings, material selection, and design validation.
•    Experience defining test procedures and acceptance criteria to validate product designs and performance.
•    Familiarity with CAD software, engineering change management, and design control processes.
•    Knowledge of metal stamping, forming, and sheet metal fabrication processes preferred.
•    Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) or other engineering analysis methods to evaluate component stress, deformation, and structural performance preferred.
•    Knowledge of applicable ISO and SAE testing standards; familiarity with IATF 16949, APQP, and PPAP preferred.
•    Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical troubleshooting skills.
•    Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.