Sr. Mechanical Project Engineer

Sr. Mechanical Project Engineer

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location:  Hybrid - Union City, TN

Opportunity

As a key technical contributor to New Product Development, the Senior Mechanical Project Engineer for the North America Shower Door department is uniquely positioned to identify and drive new innovations and user experiences.  If you are the type of engineer who likes to get into the details of a design, but also craves the understanding of how your work fits into the larger picture, this position is for you.  Working in highly cross-functional teams, you will design and validate parts, assemblies, and systems that delight consumers.  Driving speed and quality of product launches will directly contribute to Kohler’s leadership in the Bath, Shower, and Styling Space industry.

Under the functional guidance of the department Manager, you will provide technical direction for major new research and development, as well as product design, product improvement, and cost reduction projects.  In this role you will plan, schedule, and coordinate design and development projects. This position requires technical innovation and skill in the areas of design, analysis, development, and testing of new products and components, so come prepared to make your mark on the industry    

About Kohler Co.

Founded in 1873, Kohler is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies with operations in more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide. Kohler is a global leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products; engines and power systems; luxury cabinetry and tile; and owner/operator of two, five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, and St. Andrews, Scotland. We believe better business and a better world go hand in hand. Fueled by the passion of more than 40,000 associates worldwide, we strive to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations through design, craftsmanship, and innovation.

At Kohler we celebrate diversity because we know that our differences are our strength. Kohler is more innovative, our teams are stronger, and we are better human beings when we nurture inclusion. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion honors our company’s heritage and amplifies our mission of Gracious Living.

As human beings and as a company, we cannot be content with the status quo. We remain committed to doing the hard work required to truly eliminate injustices and inequality. Today we focus our effort on the following:

• Building diverse teams that reflect our communities and customers.
• Welcoming difference and fostering authenticity to inspire innovation.
• Working with suppliers that uplift women and minority-owned businesses.
• Exploring new markets through diverse lenses and perspectives.

How You Will Contribute

• Show your skills:  Apply engineering fundamentals and structured problem solving to enable top-notch engineering designs.  Conduct technical feasibility analysis of new product concepts.  Leverage your engineering peers for insight, feedback, and review to make your technical work the best it can be.
• Collaborate to succeed:  Partner with your cross-functional teammates in Marketing, Purchasing, Quality, Manufacturing, Program Management, and Industrial Design.  Face the hard decisions head-on and use the variety of team perspectives to generate better solutions.  Recommend next steps and drive alignment with business leadership to launch quality products with speed and consistency.
• Utilize Global Talent:  Engage Centers of Excellence and Technical Centers around the globe to complete project deliverables and promote parts reuse. 
• Help make us better:  Evaluate designs for environmental sustainability and recommend improvements.  Visit customers or engage experts to understand installation needs and opportunities for quality improvements.
• Bring it all together:  Maximize the attention to detail you’ve cultivated as an engineer.  Structure and coordinate test requests, bills of materials, engineering timelines, technical communications, and other engineering activities in support of new product launches.

Specific Responsibilities

• Inspire and invent creative solutions to the Shower Door product categories.  Apply innovative practices and ideas to product design that lead our industry and delight our customers.
• Determine the technical feasibility of new product concepts, as well as product redesigns for existing products. Prepare detailed project plans including technical objectives and approaches, design specifications, schedule plans, project cost estimates, and product cost analyses. 
• Carry out in-depth design and development work of a moderately complex nature.  Particular attention is given to qualification test plans to create robust products.  Prepare or oversee creation of drawings and documentation needed to define or update the product specification for retail and commercial shower doors.
• Manage system level engineering of a product.  Accountable for comprehensive test plans and risk analysis for full system, which can include mechanical, material, installation, and field tests.
• Provide engineering analysis and implementation of design modifications for product changes, improved production efficiency, or cost efficiency across a multi plant, multi-plant vendor worldwide manufacturing base.
• Prepare project, technical, cost, and other reports to show project progress as required.  Monitor and take appropriate action to achieve project objectives.
• Establish, update, and maintain product specifications, including all meaningful details pertinent to product manufacturability requirements, regulatory considerations, and marketing/sales considerations.
• Conduct and attend Technical Design Reviews, Failure Mode and Effect Analyses, and brainstorming sessions and contribute sound professional opinion, creative ideas, concepts, and approaches to new product design and development projects.
• Counsel and mentor less-senior engineers and technical support personnel as required.
• Capture knowledge for re-use and sharing across the development organization as appropriate.
• Maintain state-of-the-art awareness of relevant product technologies.
• Use speaking, writing and listening skills to effectively share information, communicate results, express opinions and motivate others to act both internally and within Kohler’s customer base.
• Successfully establish and maintain positive relationships with all contacts.  Make appropriate decisions using support tools, accurate data, and critical thinking to justify risk under critical review. 
• Exhibit, and encourage others to exhibit, behaviors and actions that delight customers, inspire people, boldly innovate, and show an own-it mentality and ability to prioritize appropriately.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 3+ of steadily increasing Mechanical Project Engineering work experience.
• Functional familiarity with the Pro-E CAD system is strongly desired.
• Experience with SAP or a similar business process system is strongly desired, as well as the demonstrated ability to research and manage product data

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The salary range for this position is $89,800 - $114,100. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.