Wheel Design Engineer II

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Waterloo, WI, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Sports
The Role
Leads the design and development of bicycle wheel systems from concept through production, including carbon rims, hubs, and spoke configurations. Creates engineering specifications, translates rider feedback into designs, collaborates with vendors and racing teams, develops engineering tools, conducts testing and validation, and mentors engineers. The role requires mechanical product development expertise, composite design experience, CAD modeling, structural analysis, GD&T, rapid prototyping, and knowledge of wheel manufacturing and testing standards.
Summary Generated by Built In
A bit about us 

Trek is an awesome place to work, with amazing benefits for all employees. We build only products we love, provide incredible hospitality to our customers, and change the world by getting more people on bikes. When you’re on our team, you’re taken care of, encouraged to learn and grow, and given lots of opportunities to do so. Give us your best, and we’ll give it right back. Sound pretty sweet? Then come join us!
 

Job Description

Are you looking to be part of a motivated team that is pushing the limits of product performance, bringing new and innovative wheels to riders everywhere? Do you love solving problems, iterating quickly, and delivering creative solutions? Do you want to work within a culture that embraces continuous learning and development of new skills through exposure to evolving opportunities? Trek’s engineering team is looking for a highly motivated and experienced engineer to come work in our inspiring work hard / play hard environment, take the lead on wheel design and development, and help create the next generation of road wheel products that will have a big impact on the cycling industry.


YOU WILL

  • Lead the technical design and development of road wheel systems, including carbon rims, hubs, and spoke/lacing configurations, focusing on aerodynamics, weight, stiffness, and durability from the concept phase through to production.
  • Create and deliver engineering specification packages that communicate effectively with internal and external partners to ensure products meet project requirements.
  • Translate customer and rider feedback into engineering specifications for wheel products.
  • Work with Trek racing teams to develop products that perform at the highest level, and provide expertise to bike groups, athletes, marketing, and other internal customers.
  • Develop collaborative relationships with vendors and coordinate engineering activities with domestic and international teammates, traveling as necessary.
  • Learn, create, and implement new engineering tools that will enable you and your teammates to create best-in-class products.
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers, and own technical decisions across wheel programs.
  • Conduct patent searches, generate ideas, and stay informed of new technology through technical publications and seminars.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent, with 5+ years of experience in product development.
  • Experience with bicycle wheel design, build, and manufacturing.
  • Experience designing composite structures, including laminate/layup design, with an understanding of how material and process choices affect performance.
  • Execution experience of multiple project cycles from concept through to production.
  • Ability to iterate quickly on designs, with an eagerness to take a hands-on approach to rapid prototyping and identifying problems.
  • Experience using CAD modeling software (preferably Onshape) to create 3D models and 2D engineering drawings.
  • Ability to understand and apply GD&T methodology.
  • Skills in structural analysis, design failure risk analysis, design for manufacturing and assembly, test plan creation, troubleshooting test results, and creating technical documentation and reports.
  • Experience with wheel test development and validation, such as impact, fatigue, stiffness, and aerodynamic testing, and knowledge of relevant standards.
  • Ability to interpret data and solve complex problems, bringing a creative approach to open-ended technical problems with a drive to innovate!
  • Self-motivated and detail oriented, with strong planning, communication, and accountability skills in a fast-paced team environment working with domestic and international teammates.

ALSO, OF INTEREST!

  • Experience with design analysis using FEA and CFD, and with wind tunnel testing.
  • Proficient in bike assembly and wheel building.
  • Experience researching and developing new testing methods and standards to improve performance and quality.
  • Knowledge of tire and rim interface standards (ETRTO / ISO) and tubeless system design.
  • Experience designing for manufacturing with composite materials, plastics, and metals, using processes such as bladder molding, compression molding, forging, CNC machining, and injection molding.
  • Positive attitude that fosters continuous improvement and flexibility.

Trek Benefits:

•    Flexible and fun company culture
•    Competitive health care
•    PPO & HDHP medical plan options, Dental insurance, Vision insurance
•    Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
•    Free life insurance & optional term life insurance
•    Competitive vacation package
•    401(k) with match and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)
•    12 weeks of maternity leave with 100% pay
•    Flexible holiday schedule – 10 company holidays
•    Tuition Reimbursement up to $15,000! (Undergraduate & Masters programs)
•    Employee discounts on all product
•    Deep partner retail discounts



We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. Trek strictly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.  This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.


We are an E-Verify employer.

For more information, please click on the following links:
E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent
  • 5+ years of product development experience
  • Experience with bicycle wheel design, building, and manufacturing
  • Experience designing composite structures, including laminate and layup design
  • Experience completing multiple product development cycles from concept through production
  • Experience using CAD modeling software to create 3D models and 2D engineering drawings
  • Ability to understand and apply GD&T methodology
  • Skills in structural analysis, design failure risk analysis, design for manufacturing and assembly, test planning, test troubleshooting, and technical documentation
  • Experience with wheel test development and validation, including impact, fatigue, stiffness, or aerodynamic testing
  • Knowledge of relevant wheel testing standards
  • Ability to interpret data and solve complex technical problems
  • Strong planning, communication, and accountability skills
  • Experience with FEA and CFD
  • Experience with wind tunnel testing
  • Proficiency in bicycle assembly and wheel building
  • Experience developing new testing methods and standards
  • Knowledge of ETRTO and ISO tire and rim interface standards
  • Knowledge of tubeless system design
  • Experience designing composite, plastic, and metal products for manufacturing
  • Experience with bladder molding, compression molding, forging, CNC machining, or injection molding

Trek Bicycle Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Trek Bicycle and has not been reviewed or approved by Trek Bicycle.

  • Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage extends to employees working 20+ hours, with medical, dental, vision, PPO/HDHP options, FSAs, and access to on-site or virtual wellness resources. Feedback suggests these offerings are considered robust, with amenities like an on-site clinic, gym, counseling, and wellness initiatives complementing core coverage.
  • Retirement Support — A 401(k) match (reported up to 6%) and an Employee Stock Ownership Program after one year provide meaningful long-term financial support. Profit sharing and stock bonuses are also described as part of the package.
  • Parental & Family Support — Full-time retail roles include 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave alongside paid holidays and vacation time. Feedback suggests these leave policies support work-life balance and family needs.

Trek Bicycle Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Waterloo, WI
3,388 Employees
Year Founded: 1976

What We Do

Trek is a place where you’re valued for being you. If you’re really into bikes, that’s great. If you’re not (yet), that’s great too. Because there’s a lot more to Trek than bikes. Every person has a unique history and life experience to bring to the table. We respect that. It’s what makes us who we are. At Trek, there's only one standard you have to meet - love. Learn more of why Trek is a Great Place to Work: trekbikes.com/careers

Similar Jobs

Tempus AI Logo Tempus AI

Software Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Machine Learning • Analytics • Biotech • Generative AI
Remote or Hybrid
USA
3775 Employees
85K-130K Annually

Pomelo Care Logo Pomelo Care

Doula (Delaware)

Healthtech • Telehealth
In-Office
3 Locations
550 Employees
In-Office or Remote
2 Locations
150 Employees
110K-120K Annually

HiBob Logo HiBob

Payroll/Benefits Managed Service Specialist

HR Tech • Information Technology • Professional Services • Sales • Software
Remote or Hybrid
US
1350 Employees
85K-110K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

GameChanger Thumbnail
Computer Vision • Digital Media • Kids + Family • Mobile • Software • Sports
New York City, NY
260 Employees
SRAM, LLC Thumbnail
Fitness • Hardware • Mobile • Software • Sports • Transportation • Esports
Chicago, IL
3800 Employees
DraftKings Thumbnail
Digital Media • Gaming • Information Technology • Software • Sports • Esports • Big Data Analytics
Boston, MA
6400 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account