Product Design Engineer

Product Design Engineer Why Join Oilgear At Oilgear, we design and manufacture high-performance hydraulic systems that power some of the world’s most demanding industrial applications. Our employees play a critical role in our success, and we are committed to providing a safe, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment. At Oilgear, you’ll work with advanced technology, contribute to meaningful products, and be part of a team that values quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. Summary The Product Design Engineer provides technical ownership and engineering support for Oilgear hydraulic products from design evaluation through manufacturing, testing, and product improvement. This role partners with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Service, customers, and suppliers to improve product performance, manufacturability, cost, and quality while maintaining complete and accurate engineering documentation. The position independently evaluates design requests, develops and validates engineering solutions, leads product changes and improvement projects, and resolves complex product or manufacturing issues using sound engineering judgment and structured problem-solving methods. Essential Responsibilities and Duties Product Design and Engineering • Lead engineering projects involving product improvements, cost reduction, supplier or process qualification, product robustness, and the development or launch of new features for existing hydraulic products. • Perform and document engineering calculations, tolerance stack-ups, material selections, and design analyses for new products and design revisions. • Create, review, and approve 3D models, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and related technical documentation. • Conduct formal design reviews, evaluate technical risk, and ensure recommended actions are completed and documented. • Evaluate the feasibility of customer requests, product configurations, and proposed design changes and provide clear technical recommendations. Verification Testing and Product Support • Develop verification and validation plans, write effective test requests, analyze engineering data, and summarize results in clear technical reports. • Present technical findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers in support of engineering projects and product decisions. • Investigate product performance issues and lead structured root cause and corrective action activities using methods such as 8D and 5 Why. • Provide advanced technical support to Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, Purchasing, customers, and suppliers. Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement • Partner with production personnel to resolve manufacturing and assembly issues involving drawings, tolerances, materials, tooling, fixtures, and product performance. • Review designs for manufacturability and recommend changes that improve safety, quality, repeatability, lead time, and cost without compromising product requirements. • Support the development and revision of manufacturing instructions, inspection criteria, process documentation, and technical training materials. • Support new product introductions and design changes on the shop floor, including first-build review, process validation, and corrective follow-through. Design Control and Project Execution • Maintain product design control and ensure engineering changes, approvals, records, and release documentation are accurate and complete. • Develop and execute project plans that define objectives, schedules, resources, risks, deliverables, and cross-functional responsibilities. • Manage multiple technical priorities and communicate project status, risks, and decisions to stakeholders. • Stay current with engineering methods, fluid power technology, manufacturing processes, and industry practices applicable to Oilgear products. • Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. Systems Tools and Technology • 3D CAD and engineering drawing systems, including SolidWorks or Inventor • Engineering change control, document management, and ERP systems • Tolerance analysis, GD&T, and design verification methods • Hydraulic system, component, and test data analysis tools • Microsoft Office applications Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related engineering field. • Three to five years of professional mechanical, product, or design engineering experience in a hydraulic, industrial equipment, or manufacturing environment. • Demonstrated experience independently completing engineering projects from concept, analysis, and design through testing, documentation, and implementation. • Proficiency creating and interpreting 3D models, engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and tolerance stack-ups. • Experience with product testing, technical data analysis, structured root cause analysis, and corrective action. • Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and the ability to resolve design and production issues in partnership with shop-floor personnel. • Strong technical writing, communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Preferred Qualifications • Experience designing or supporting hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, or fluid power systems. • Fluid Power Certification or advanced fluid power training. • Experience with FEA, CFD, design for manufacturability, machining processes, or supplier qualification. • Experience using ERP, PLM, or engineering document control systems. What We Offer Paid Time Off (PTO) Paid holidays 401(k) retirement plan with company match Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options Employer-paid life and disability insurance Optional hospital, critical illness, and accident insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Safety shoe reimbursement program Safety glasses reimbursement program Tuition assistance up to $5,000 per year Scope and Flexibility Statement This job description outlines the general duties and requirements of the position and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Responsibilities may change or be added based on business needs. Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation Statement The Oilgear Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Oilgear Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state laws. Applicants or employees requiring accommodation may contact Human Resources. Employment Status Statement Employment with The Oilgear Company is at-will. This means that either the employee or The Oilgear Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law. Nothing in this job description or any other Company document should be interpreted as a contract of employment, an offer of continued employment, or a guarantee of employment for any specific duration.