Product Engineer

Product Engineer - PJ Wallbank Springs
 

THE OPPORTUNITY
Are you an analytical person who loves the satisfaction of solving puzzles?
This might be the next step in your career! Our Product Engineer role supports interactions with customers to understand product specifications and design products that meet customer expectations. Consider yourself the glue that binds our customer needs with our business capabilities. Your work will directly influence internal operations and external customer satisfaction. While balancing this dynamic, you’re also incorporating ways to meet internal manufacturability, cost, and quality requirements.
We’re looking for an analytical mathematician who is curious, refuses to accept the status quo, and is excited to offer creative solutions for solving product and manufacturing challenges. But this role is so much more than just another job, it’s the catalyst for our growth – you’ll support legacy and new business opportunities. Read on to discover how you can build great products for our business and customers.
 

OUR HISTORY AND FUTURE VISION
Wallbank Industrial currently consists of two independent companies – PJ Wallbank Springs, Inc. (PJWS) and Edison Manufacturing & Engineering. Our vision is to create multiple operating companies, like PJWS and Edison, to maximize our impact on the world through a consistent “How.”
 
PJWS is the only company in the world specializing in clutch return spring packs for automotive transmissions. For over 40 years our laser-sharp focus, combined with the effort of great people, has enabled us to be the global leader in our market. We also serve customers with spring pack solutions in powertrain electrification and are working in other application segments. As we continue to grow, we are pursuing divergent end-use cases in different industries.
Edison is a contract manufacturing partner for the companies creating the future of transportation. We work with startups introducing new products, as well as established companies as they launch new technologies, build niche products, and produce legacy products in volumes below their standard production. Our core expertise is executing complex build and assembly.
What separates us from others is our desire to have a dramatic impact on the world through people. It is this focus on people that is the key enabler to our future. All companies under the Wallbank Industrial umbrella focus first and foremost on creating a culture based on common core values. Having the right people in the right positions enables us to be at the forefront of current technologies and what is to come. Our experience and proven results, along with vast resources, allows us to deliver a level of service above the competition for our partners.
PRODUCT ENGINEER RESPONSIBILITIES
Design and Development

• Analyze working environments, product specifications, and performance requirements to develop optimized spring assembly designs utilizing existing manufacturing methods.
• Drive novel designs for future business opportunities.
• Ensure designs integrate into manufacturing processes.
• Champion APQP process for prototype and new/revised product launches.
• Drive VA/VE initiatives and pursue continuous improvement projects to achieve year over year cost reductions.
• Improve internal design practices leading to production efficiencies.
• Lead efforts to further our knowledge of spring design and respective raw materials and stay updated with industry trends and technologies to increase our spring design capability as an organization.

Customer Interaction and Collaboration with Business development

• Interface with current and potential customers on new and existing designs.
• Provide engineering support both on and off-site.
• Maintain strong customer relationships and perception of knowledge, being a trusted design expert.
• Comply with internal and external customer requirements.
• Work closely with Sales and Engineering.
• Find and create new business opportunities.
• Support prototype and production quoting process from a technical perspective to ensure an accurate quote that achieves targeted margin.
• Interface with suppliers on technical design details.

Success Criteria:

• Create product concepts that meet capability, performance, and cost requirements.
• Exceed cost and performance expectations for APQP launches and engineering changes.
• Support in delivery of on-time and competitive quotes the meet targeted margins and ensure detailed drawings are completed on time.
• Excellent communication including responding to customer requests in 24 hours.
• Deliver prototype and production products on time and within budget.
• Improve product design, APQP processes, and manufacturing costs.
• Desire to further spring/spring design knowledge.

Qualifications:

• Proficient with MS Excel and Word
• CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred)
• Product design understanding and analysis (spring design preferred)
• Experience with manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of APQP process (preferred)
• Automotive industry/powertrain interest (preferred)
• A willingness to travel, especially as the business grows

We’re Not Looking for Average – We’re Seeking Extraordinary:
Our ideal candidate is someone who…

• Passionate about solving complex challenges
• Refuses to accept the status quo
• Sees each project as an opportunity to make an impact
• Willing to take on both small and large responsibilities
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• Positive attitude
• Reliable self-starter
• Works well on your own and within a team
• Desire to advance business and personal growth
• Hungry, humble, and smart
• Strong interest in having a long-term career with the organization

WHAT WE OFFER
Competitive Compensation and Benefits 
The compensation package will be attractive to the candidate possessing the experience, qualifications, and ability to deliver exceptional value to the company. We offer competitive pay, incentive, and benefits including healthcare and a 401k plan with a company match.
 
Opportunities for Growth 
We know that our people determine our success, therefore we are committed to investing in you and your success. We are focused on providing employees with the opportunity to learn and grow in a high-performing team atmosphere where your opinion will be valued.
The Product Engineer will serve as an individual contributor. As the organization expands through your efforts to design exceptional products, you will have increasing responsibility for leading our product design efforts.
 
Location 
The position is based in scenic Port Huron, Michigan, the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes and located on the shores of Lake Huron, with activities such as boating and time on the beach. This position will need to be onsite to integrate product design with our manufacturing processes, but it comes with workplace flexibility to be hybrid at times to meet both business and family/personal needs.
Community Involvement
We are committed to the success and growth of our community. Giving back isn’t just about donating resources; it’s about making an investment that is sustainable.
  
 
To learn more about our business, culture, and opportunities visit www.pjws.com.