Senior Product Development Engineer

Position Overview The Senior Product Development Engineer with a specialization in electromechanical systems will lead the New Product Development (NPD) initiatives within the R&D department at Wanzl North America.

This role is critical for driving the end-to-end development process of innovative Retail, Digital, Access, and Material Handling products.

The engineer will provide technical leadership, manage project schedules, and ensure the integration of mechatronics and networking protocols into product designs.

This position requires a strong collaboration with sales, marketing, and product management teams to deliver solutions that meet customer needs and market demands.

Company and Opportunity Overview Wanzl North America’s vision is to be the leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions.

WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from the online purchase to the delivery to their customers.

WNA, which includes the Technibilt, French Company, and Cari-All brands, is headquartered in Newton, North Carolina. With nearly 500 employees and 160 MUSD of sales, WNA focuses on the retail, distribution, and airport market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and most large grocers and retailers.

In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three (3) additional main product segments as well as a service business, providing turnkey solutions for asset protection and point-of-sale, as well as materials handling.

WNA is part of the Wanzl GmbH & Holding KGaA, headquartered in Germany and has 12 plants in 8 countries and more than a dozen sales and distribution centers worldwide, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360 service.

Duties and Responsibilities : Serve as the technical lead for a team of engineers, guiding the development of electromechanical products from concept to production.

Take ownership of the technical direction, ensuring products adhere to specifications, timelines, cost targets, and are ready for production release.

Engage with customers to align development efforts with their requirements and expectations. Ensure product compliance with safety, regulatory, and industry standards.

Lead design reviews and participate in cross-functional teams to establish product requirements, project schedules, and cost objectives.

Develop 3D models, 2D drawings, BOMs, and maintain accurate CAD data. Design for manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, and cost-effectiveness.

Conduct data analysis, design of experiments (DOE), product verification / validation, and analyze test results to inform design decisions.

Drive value analysis, cost reduction, and quality improvement initiatives. Develop and test prototypes, evaluate new technologies, and perform competitive product analyses.

Communicate project status, risks, and changes to the Project Manager and stakeholders. Document and improve internal processes to establish best practices for the engineering team.

Provide design guidance to Operations and support New Product Introduction (NPI) as needed. Advocate for the NPD process to ensure project success and train and mentor team members.

Skills and Experience : Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with at least 7 years of experience in electromechanical product development.

Thorough knowledge of electronic technologies including controllers, sensor, energy supplies, HMI and different communication type for products.

Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to conceptualize and create innovative mechanical designs. Experience in leading engineering teams and managing complex projects.

Experience with electromechanical products, UL, CE, and test development. Proficiency in solid modeling CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) and knowledge of FEA.

Excellent communication skills, capable of technical writing and maintaining strong customer relationships. Ability to problem-solve effectively and work under the pressure of tight deadlines.

Capable of prioritizing tasks and managing multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring quality. Willingness to travel up to 20% as required. Powered by JazzHR