Senior Design Engineer

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives. We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform.

We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals. Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates.

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This position requires on-site presence in Des Plaines, IL, following a hybrid work model.

This role is responsible for product development from concept through production, which includes new product development, sustaining engineering support, and resolution of field problems. The individual will lead mechanical product design and/or redesign, create part assemblies, and detailed part drawings. You will lead prototyping, assembly of samples, and management of complex product test and evaluation programs. The role leads various product design/development projects and teams, collaborates with, and influences all cross functional members of the design team.

You will present and communicate project status updates to management, participate in daily management meetings with the cross-functional team, and aid in mentoring / developing other engineers. In everything the Lead Design Engineer does, both in projects and daily tasks, LEAN Process methodology is applied to drive impact, streamline workflows, and improve processes.

• Teaches and leads various aspects of the product design process including, but not limited to the development of part geometry, assembly designs and drawing generation. Design work varies from new product development to product enhancements and cost reduction activities. Develops, distributes, and/or approves engineering data in the form of Engineering Change Notices, bills of material and parts tracking. Manages collaboration with vendor partners.
• Designs parts, identifies finishing requirements for, and works 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. Generates and tracks capital expenditure plans along with tooling vendor timelines to meet project schedules.
• Manages relationships with internal manufacturing facilities and external vendors to resolve part or assembly issues, deviation requests and bill of material corrections. Schedules and conducts pilot/preproduction runs, first article inspections, tool run-offs and plans for production release.
• Leads team meetings using the product delivery system (stage gate product development) for each major product.
• Champions 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 evaluation of competitive samples, documentation, and free design techniques. Ensures all concepts are manufacturable with corresponding methods utilized in the appropriate manufacturing facility.
• Continuously looks for, and actively implements process improvements related to productivity, quality, purchasing, engineering, and manufacturing; to include sourcing new or alternate processes, equipment, and/or training of manpower. Looks for advancements or changes in technology via trade shows, technology councils, vendors or other methods.
• Develops certification and validation test plans. Submits test…