Mechanical Engineer - Custom Solutions Supervisor/Lead - StoneAge, Inc.

About StoneAge 

StoneAge is the global leader in designing and manufacturing high-pressure waterblast tooling and automated, IoT-enabled/robotic equipment, based in Durango, CO., with five subsidiaries in four countries. Think squirt guns on steroids run by humans and robots! StoneAge is also the parent company of Breadware, an IoT product development firm that helps clients build and launch IoT-enabled products. We are an innovative, employee-owned company that aims to change our industry and the world through advancing technical products and services – and with our unique, people-centric culture. 

Description

The position is responsible for the engineering design of custom waterblast tools and accessories, as well as maintaining and improving current tool designs to enhance StoneAge’s product offerings. The Mechanical Engineer Lead is responsible for product design from conception through sustainment. The Mechanical Engineer shall also serve to mentor more junior engineers and provide technical oversight as appropriate.

This position has a starting salary of $100k-$115k and reports to the Director of StoneAge.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Custom Solutions Lead Responsibilities:

• Work with Solutions Sales organization to define customer requirements that translates into an achievable and cost-effective Solution
• Champion cost improvement initiatives
• Make recommendations on behalf of the Custom Solutions team regarding production readiness
• Provide inputs to Annual Reviews for Custom Solutions team
• Work with other Product Engineers to develop test plans / methods for new products
• Be a champion for developing CE certification technical data packages (as appropriate)
• Contribute to Engineering Department Best Practices

  Process Improvement:

• Lead initiatives to identify, analyze, and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Work in conjunction with Management to develop and initiate an PDP process for solutions
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the effectiveness of process improvements.

 Process Governance:

• Establish and enforce process governance frameworks to ensure compliance with industry standards and internal policies.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Conduct regular informal audits and reviews to ensure adherence to established processes and identify areas for improvement.

 Standardization:

• Drive standardization initiatives to optimize the design and manufacturing processes across different product lines.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to develop and implement engineering standards and best practices.
• Promote the use of standardized components and assemblies to reduce complexity and improve supply chain efficiency.

Product Design:

• Present new product ideas to Engineering team via the Engineering Meeting. Must have a collaborative nature.
• Participate in the requirement development process for new products via end-user interface, and collaboration with the Business Development, Marketing and Engineering Teams.
• Develop designs for new products that are reliable, cost effective, and easily manufactured.
• Perform design analyses as appropriate (tolerance analysis, FEA, thermal, flow).
• Generate and maintain engineering drawings from internal and external design criteria and in accordance with StoneAge drawing standards.  Assist in drawing and specification interpretation to maintain quality.
• Estimate material/fabrication costs for new products and custom products – execute new product development to cost targets and communicate cost vs. performance conflicts early in the design.
• Identify and communicate patentable technology during the creation of new products.
• Prepare and facilitate product design reviews. Incorporate feedback into designs as permitted given product requirements.
• Review product design and analyses of junior team members and provide technical advice and direction.
• Lead design discussions and provide technical training within the weekly Engineering Meeting.
• Work with QC to identify critical features and tolerances and ensure measurement capabilities. 
• Work with Purchasing, Outside Vendors and Internal Machine Shop as prototype parts are fabricated to ensure designs are manufacturable and easily inspected.
• Assist CAD Technician on design as needed.
• Assess design projects for obstacles and potential design issues/trades. Present these issues to the engineering team along with recommendations for resolution.

Product Test:

• Assemble prototype products
• Draft test plans and perform testing for evaluating the performance, safety and reliability of prototype designs. 
• Develop standard test methods for product and material conformance.
• Review and evaluate field-tested units and customer feedback on field tested units to improve product design. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
•  5+ years of relevant mechanical design experience.
• CAD proficiency (Solidworks is preferred).
• Experience in design for manufacturing.
• Experience in product research and development.
• Hands-on mechanical or machining experience.
• Working knowledge of MS Office software.

The Mechanical Engineer Lead must possess at least one of the following skills:

• Expertise in tight tolerance parts, tolerance stackup analysis, complex assemblies, and gearing.
• Practical and/or product design experience for the waterblast industry.
• Solidworks simulation proficiency (Structural Analysis, Motion and Flow).

OTHER INFORMATION

·        Travel may be required.

·        Extended working hours may be needed at peak times or when short staffed.

·        Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.

·        Must be able to lift heavy loads using proper lifting techniques as outlined in the StoneAge Employee Handbook.

We value the diversity of the people we hire and serve. Diversity at our company means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. 

Benefits

StoneAge offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes:

• Group health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with a guaranteed match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness rewards program, and much more!

Even more excited, we are an employee-owned company with profit-sharing and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), in which shares of company stock are allocated to eligible employees each year.

Our "Own It" mindset captures what many of us consider the biggest benefit of all: a highly engaged, collaborative workplace where everyone matters and every employee makes a significant impact.

Please visit our website at www.stoneagetools.com to get a better sense of our company and our employee-owned culture!