Senior Design Engineer (Des Plaines, IL)

Position Summary & Location

The Senior Design Engineer on Acuity's Indoor Team is responsible for new product development, design engineering, and existing product sustaining engineering, while being a critical member of a cross-functional design team in an electro-mechanical environment. They help develop best-in-class lighting products and integrate cutting-edge IOT Technology and Controls into products. The Senior Design Engineer applies LEAN methodology to drive impact, streamline workflows, and improve processes in a fast-paced environment. They create parts assembly and detailed part drawings, drive prototyping and sample assembly, manage complex product test and evaluation programs, and help mentor other engineers. The ideal candidate is curious, creative, and pushes the boundaries to implement breakthrough innovations, enabling Acuity to continue leading the market.

Based on business needs this role works onsite in Des Plaines, IL.

Primary Responsibilities Include

• Leading and participating in various aspects of the product design process, including, but not limited to, developing part geometry, assembly designs, and drawing generation. Design work varies from new product development to product enhancements and cost reduction activities.
• Developing, distributing, and reviewing engineering data in the form of engineering change notices, bills of material, and parts tracking.
• Designing parts, identifying finishing requirements, and working with tooling vendors for the following manufacturing methods: progressive die sheet metal tooling, fabricated sheet metal and brake forming, aluminum and zinc die casting, aluminum and plastic extrusions, plastic injection molding, and spinning.
• Generating and tracking capital expenditure plans and tooling vendor timelines to meet project schedules.
• Managing relationships with internal manufacturing facilities and external vendor partners to resolve part and assembly issues, deviation requests, and bill of material corrections.
• Coordinating and executing pilot/preproduction runs, first article inspections, tool run-offs, and planning for production release.
• Participating in team meetings using each major product's product delivery system (stage gate product development).
• Championing concept development by initiating and developing concepts for new products from Project Charters and Specification Matrices provided by the Product Manager(s) and other avenues, such as evaluating competitive samples, documentation, and free design techniques.
• Ensuring all concepts are manufacturable with the corresponding methods utilized in the appropriate manufacturing facility.
• Continuously implement process improvements related to productivity, quality, purchasing, engineering, and manufacturing, including sourcing new or alternate processes, equipment, and training.
• Looking for technological advancements via trade shows, technology councils, vendors, etc.
• Developing certification and validation test plans. Submitting test requests and working directly with testing groups as necessary for product evaluation.
• Submitting prototyping requests, working directly with internal and external prototype suppliers, and producing prototype components and assemblies.
• Reviewing functional specifications, project charters, and competitor samples.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline is required. 
• A successful track record in engineering lighting, appliances, consumer products, or a related electro-mechanical manufacturer.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and Microsoft Office programs is required.
• SolidWorks proficiency and CAD data management experience are highly preferred.
• Experience in various manufacturing methods is required, such as stamping, fabricating, drawing, casting, injection molding, spinning, extruding metals, and plastics.
• Experience in various finishing techniques, including painting, plating, anodizing, and vacuum metalizing, is required.
• Knowledge of applicable standards and test processes such as UL/CSA, DLC, Energy Star, thermal testing, and luminaire test methods is required.
• Must be familiar with national and local electrical codes and building construction methods.
• Collaborate with team members to complete and implement new product development on time and within budget.
• Communicate effectively verbally, in written form, and through sketches, engineering drawings, presentations, renderings, and prototypes.
• Able to work proficiently in a cross-functional team environment.
• Available to work onsite from the Des Plaines, IL facility based on business needs (at least 50% of the time).
• Available to travel domestically and internationally based on business needs (up to 20% of the time).
• Able to lift items based on business needs (up to 75 lbs).