Product Manager - Mechanical Engineering

We are seeking a hands-on Product Manager with Mechanical Engineering experience to take ownership of our industrial wastewater dewatering equipment product line. This position will lead the reverse engineering, Americanization, documentation, sourcing, and continuous improvement of our equipment.

The Product Manager will be responsible for developing complete 3D models, manufacturing drawings, assembly drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and parts books for each machine model.

A major responsibility of this position will be transitioning existing European-designed equipment to U. S. manufacturing.

This includes researching American-made components and suppliers and redesigning parts and assemblies as necessary to utilize domestically manufactured components.

This is a hands-on technical position that combines mechanical engineering, product management, supplier development, manufacturing support, and project coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Product Ownership & Development

• Take engineering ownership of assigned machine models from design through manufacturing and product support.
• Develop and maintain complete engineering packages for each product model.
• Reverse engineer existing machines, assemblies, and individual components.
• Identify opportunities to improve product performance, manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, and cost.
• Manage engineering changes and product revisions.
• Standardize designs and components across different machine models whenever practical.

Americanization & Domestic Sourcing

• Lead the transition of existing European-designed equipment to U.S. manufacturing.
• Research American manufacturers and suppliers for components currently sourced internationally.
• Identify U.S.-made alternatives for motors, gearboxes, bearings, cylinders, fasteners, electrical components, seals, structural materials, and other purchased components.
• Evaluate potential suppliers based on technical capability, quality, availability, lead time, cost, and domestic manufacturing content.
• Work directly with suppliers to obtain drawings, specifications, quotations, samples, and technical information.
• Redesign components and assemblies as necessary to accept American-made parts.
• Convert metric or European-specific components to readily available U.S. components where practical.
• Support company efforts to meet applicable domestic-content and Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements.

Mechanical Engineering & CAD

• Develop and maintain complete 3D CAD models for individual components, subassemblies, and complete machines.
• Create detailed fabrication drawings for weldments, sheet metal, structural components, and fabricated assemblies.
• Create machine shop drawings with appropriate dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, materials, and surface finishes.
• Develop assembly drawings for manufacturing and service.
• Create exploded-view drawings for parts identification and parts books.
• Maintain drawing revisions and engineering document control.

Bills of Materials & Product Documentation

• Develop and maintain complete multi-level Bills of Materials (BOMs) for each machine model.
• Establish and maintain accurate part numbers, descriptions, quantities, materials, and revision levels.
• Maintain engineering information within the company's ERP/MRP system.
• Develop complete parts books for each machine model.
• Create exploded assembly drawings and corresponding parts lists.
• Maintain accurate documentation as products and components change.

Fabrication & Machine Shop

Support

• Prepare complete drawing packages for outside fabrication shops and machine shops.
• Work directly with vendors to answer technical questions and resolve manufacturing issues.
• Review vendor drawings, quotations, and proposed manufacturing methods.
• Support first-article production and inspection of newly manufactured components.
• Review completed components for dimensional and design compliance.
• Modify designs when necessary to improve manufacturability or reduce cost.

Manufacturing & Assembly

Support

• Provide hands-on engineering support during machine assembly.
• Resolve fit-up, tolerance, fabrication, and assembly issues.
• Work with production personnel to improve assembly methods and procedures.
• Develop assembly instructions and documentation.
• Incorporate lessons learned from manufacturing and field service into future designs.

Supplier & Vendor Development

• Identify and develop relationships with U.S. fabrication shops, machine shops, and component manufacturers.
• Request and evaluate vendor quotations.
• Compare alternative suppliers and manufacturing methods.
• Assist Purchasing with vendor qualification and technical evaluation.
• Maintain technical relationships with key suppliers.
• Help establish a reliable domestic supply chain for each product model.

Product Improvement & Cost Reduction

• Continuously evaluate existing products for opportunities to reduce cost and lead time.
• Reduce the number of unique components through standardization.
• Improve accessibility and serviceability of equipment.
• Evaluate alternative materials and manufacturing processes.
• Work with management, production, suppliers, and customers to identify product improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Strong mechanical design and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with 3D CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Ability to create professional fabrication, machining, and assembly drawings.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, fabrication, machining, welding, tolerances, and mechanical assemblies.
• Ability to develop and manage Bills of Materials.
• Ability to work directly with fabrication shops, machine shops, suppliers, and production personnel.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering and product-development projects simultaneously.