Senior Design Engineer - Plastic Pipe & Conduit

Senior Design Engineer - Plastic Pipe & Conduit

Who we are:

Atkore is forging a future where our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and communities are building better together – a future focused on serving the customer and powering and protecting the world.

With a global network of manufacturing and distribution facilities, Atkore is a leading provider of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions.

Who we are looking for:

We are currently searching for a Senior Design Engineer to be part of the Atkore Electrical Business Unit / Plastic Pipe & Conduit (PPC) Strategic Business Unit. Reporting to the Senior R&D Engineering Manager, this role serves as the technical lead for the design, development, validation, and commercialization of electrical conduit, pipe, fittings, fabricated fittings, and related infrastructure products.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong product development background, advanced engineering design skills, and demonstrated success leading to cross-functional initiatives from concept through product launch. This individual will work closely with Product Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales to deliver innovative, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions that support Atkore's growth initiatives.

As a Senior Design Engineer, this role provides technical leadership through expertise and influence while driving continuous improvement, manufacturing capability advancement, and product innovation across the PPC portfolio.

What you’ll do:

New Product Development

• Design and develop new products related to infrastructure markets
• Translate customer requirements, market opportunities, and business objectives into innovative product solutions
• Function as design expert of new product development projects from concept through commercialization stages
• Manage multiple product development and product improvement projects simultaneously
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments, and technical decision-making activities
• Drive product validation, qualification testing, and commercialization efforts
• Ensure products meet performance, quality, manufacturability, regulatory, and cost objectives
• Drive value engineering, product standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives

Engineering Design & Innovation

• Develop and maintain CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of material
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), DFMEA, and Lean principles throughout development
• Lead prototype design, testing, and validation activities
• Conduct engineering analysis to optimize product performance, reliability, and cost competitiveness
• Evaluate new materials, manufacturing processes, automation opportunities, and emerging technologies
• Support Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) activities, including Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Requests (ECRs)
• Research competitive products and market trends to identify innovation opportunities

Manufacturing & Supplier Collaboration

• Collaborate with manufacturing facilities to support production readiness and successful product launches
• Support tooling development, process validation, pilot production, and first article inspections
• Work closely with Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to resolve technical and manufacturing challenges
• Partners with suppliers on tooling, materials, manufacturing processes, and product improvements
• Support troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation
• Work with external Tool Makers & departments to ensure cost, deliverables & timelines are met
• Provide direction, guidance, and expertise to team members on the design and development of Parts and Tooling

Continuous Improvement and Documentations

• Develop engineering standards, design guidelines, and best practices
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction
• Lead root-cause investigations and corrective action activities
• Promote Lean manufacturing and operational excellence principles
• Present project updates, business cases, and technical recommendations to leadership

Strategic Growth & Innovation

• Support product roadmap development and long-term growth initiatives
• Identify opportunities to expand product offerings and manufacturing capabilities
• Evaluate emerging market needs and infrastructure trends
• Support capital projects and manufacturing technology investments
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts within the PPC business

Other tasks as assigned.

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline required
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product design, development, and commercialization required
• Proven track record leading complex new product development initiatives
• Advanced proficiency with Autodesk products, SolidWorks, or equivalent 3D CAD software
• Experience with DFMEA, PPAP, tolerance analysis, root cause analysis, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Strong understanding of extrusion, injection molding, fabrication, machining, assembly, and automation processes
• Experience supporting tooling design, process validation, and production launch activities
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Strong communication, presentation, and project leadership skills
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority

• Experience with infrastructure products such as conduit, pipe, fabricated fittings, elbows, couplings, or other related products is preferred
• Knowledge of UL, ASTM, NEMA, NSF, CSA, NEC, and other related standards, and prior involvement with industry organizations, standards committees, or technical customer engagements is preferred.
• Experience with FEA, product testing, validation, and rapid prototyping is preferred.
• Experience leading manufacturing automation or capital improvement projects is preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma certification a plus
• Experience utilizing ERP and PLM systems a plus

Within 3 months, you’ll:

• Complete your Atkore immersion program.
• Understand how your job and performance will help deliver Atkore’s strategy.
• Gain an understanding of your co-workers, facility, and team.

Within 6-months, you’ll:

• Work cooperatively within a cross functional product development team (sales, product management, and customers) to consistently generate innovative and unique solutions to customer and market needs
• Use engineering and design skills to ensure products are cost efficient, manufacturable, and compliant to electrical industry standards
• Design and implement test methods and/or equipment to support product development

Within 12 months, you’ll:

• Provide technical support and solutions to customers and suppliers.
• Facilitate & participate in concept brainstorming & ideation sessions
• Lead the R&D development and scale-up through stage gate process, ensuring milestone commitments are achieved
• Plan design of experiments and conduct data analysis in support of concept testing 
• Understand applicable industry and regulatory standards (UL, CSA etc.) for product development

Atkore is a seven-time Great Place to Work© certified company and a four-time Top Workplaces USA award winner! We’re committed to creating an engaged, aligned workforce driven by a collaborative culture. Our team strives for breakthrough results and stays focused on being standout leaders. We consistently live the Atkore mission, strategic priorities, and behaviors consistent with our core values.

Join our team and align yourself with an industry leader!

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay for this position is $100,160 - $137,720. Placement in the range depends on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs, and may change over time. Other compensation may include, but not limited to, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, commissions, stock, other incentives.

Benefits available include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Any leave required under federal, state, or local law

Benefits are subject to vesting and eligibility requirements.

Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.