Staff Mechanical Engineer

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position on the Advanced Technology & Innovation Team is responsible for imagining, developing, and bringing to life new vehicle concepts, user experiences, and product innovations that shape the future of Polaris. The role combines engineering expertise, creativity, and strategic thinking to explore unmet customer needs, emerging trends, and disruptive technologies. Working closely with Design, User Experience, Product Planning, and Engineering teams, this individual will transform insights and ideas into tangible concepts, prototypes, and innovation strategies that influence the next generation of Polaris products.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the creation, development, and refinement of innovative vehicle, system, and customer experience concepts that explore new opportunities for Polaris products and markets.
• Translate customer insights, market trends, emerging technologies, and business opportunities into compelling engineering concepts and prototype solutions.
• Design, engineer, and build concept vehicles, functional prototypes, and proof-of-concept models that communicate future product visions and validate innovation opportunities.
• Collaborate with Industrial Design, User Experience, Product Planning, and Strategy teams to develop holistic solutions that balance customer desirability, technical feasibility, and business viability.
• Drive innovation projects from ideation through concept development, facilitating experimentation, concept reviews, and iterative learning cycles.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and industry trends to identify opportunities that could create competitive advantages or new customer value.
• Lead rapid prototyping, testing, and validation activities to gather insights, reduce uncertainty, and inform future product direction.
• Present innovation concepts, recommendations, and strategic opportunities to engineering, design, and executive leadership teams.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to assess technical feasibility, identify innovation risks, and recommend paths for continued exploration or product development.
• Build relationships with external partners, suppliers, startups, universities, and technology organizations to identify and leverage emerging innovation opportunities.
• Document learnings, insights, and recommendations from innovation initiatives to support future product and technology strategies.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field required.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering design or related engineering roles preferred.
• Experience with calibration and software preferred.
• Agriculture, Transportation, powersports, or automotive design experience is highly desirable.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and flexibility in projects and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and challenge conventional engineering approaches.
• Proficiency with 3D modeling tools such as Creo, Blender, or similar platforms.
• Fabrication experience, including machining, welding, and assembly preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with demonstrated problem‑solving ability and creative thinking skills.
• Experience developing system requirements and performance specifications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical abilities, including problem‑solving and root cause analysis (preferred).
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across cross‑functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Project, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $112,000 to $148,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.  While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range. 

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE.  Apply today!

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing.  Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings.  Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

EEO Statement

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or [email protected].  To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).