Lead Product Engineer

At Klein Tools, curiosity powers discovery, ownership inspires excellence, and urgency means we run towards opportunities. We deliver quality and innovation in everything we do, designing and launching hundreds of groundbreaking products each year. Join us and be part of a legacy built to last.

Perks for you include:

• Paid Vacations & Holidays

• Profit Sharing & Matching 401(k)

• Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)

• Discounts on Klein Tools products

• Education and Professional Development Assistance

Lead Product Engineer

As a senior-level engineering professional, the Lead Product Engineer plays a pivotal role in the design, development, and enhancement of products, serving as a key technical expert within the team. This technical leadership position is responsible for ensuring successful project outcomes and the on-time delivery of product development initiatives in the tool industry. The role requires advanced problem-solving skills, analytical expertise, and the ability to evaluate and implement innovative solutions with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical, leadership, and project management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Apply theoretical principles and practical approaches to design products and systems that meet program requirements.
2. Independently make decisions on complex engineering problems and methodologies.
3. Drive innovation by improving products and contributing to the development of cutting-edge solutions.
4. Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for at least one product category within Klein Tools.
5. Represent the organization in vendor meetings to resolve critical issues and coordinate work plans.
6. Proactively manage multiple medium- to high-complexity projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality outcomes.
7. Develop and maintain project timelines within the phase-gate product development framework.
8. Oversee and coordinate multiple high-priority tasks, delegating effectively when necessary.
9. Conduct advanced problem-solving, including feasibility studies, cost analysis, and evaluation of engineering proposals.
10. Coordinate technical development activities and resolve design and testing challenges.
11. Act as a liaison with internal customers and vendors to ensure designs meet user needs and specifications.
12. Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
13. Create high-level PowerPoint presentations to convey technical and project evaluations.
14. Utilize advanced Excel functions (e.g., pivot tables, macros) for data analysis and reporting.
15. Perform complex 3D CAD modeling and 2D drafting, including advanced FEA studies with minimal guidance.
16. Continuously review and implement changes to keep projects on schedule.
17. Align engineering projects with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
18. Collaborate closely with team leaders, business unit managers, and the executive team.
19. Provide mentorship and guidance to engineers within the department and project teams.
20. Minimize financial impact during project implementation across facilities.
21. Act as a teacher and advocate for Klein Tools' New Product Development (NPD) processes.
22. Partner with Product Management to develop new products and customer-driven feature sets.
23. Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Experience: Five (5) or more years of direct work experience in product development and engineering.
• Skills:
  • Strong technical, analytical, planning, and organizational abilities.
  • Comprehensive understanding of new product development (NPD) and introduction (NPI) processes.
  • Proficiency in managing complex projects with multiple interactions and stakeholders.
  • Conflict resolution and team leadership experience.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical and financial analyses to all organizational levels.
  • Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD modeling, FEA studies, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively under time constraints.
  • Strong team orientation and collaboration skills with internal and external partners.

Your main focus:
 
· Quality
· Customer Obsession
· Innovation
· Ownership
· Teamwork

Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For candidates with disabilities and needing assistance, please email us

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