Innovation Engineer; Hybrid

Position: Innovation Engineer (Hybrid)
Job Description

Innovation Engineer (Hybrid)

Position type:
Full-time

Type of contract:
Permanent

HARTING stands for strong connections - across the globe. As one of the leading international suppliers of industrial connectivity, we are connecting customers to their digital future. And as an employer? We connect around 6,000 people at our headquarter in Espelkamp and at locations worldwide. Here you'll find great colleagues, as well as ever new opportunities and innovations revolving around IoT and artificial intelligence.

In everything we do, we remain true to our roots: as a regionally connected family business that always stays firmly grounded in spite of our stellar high-tech. Here's to your unique future with us:
Yours!

Join HARTING! A leader in connectivity products and custom solutions…..

We are seeking an Innovation Engineer (based in Elgin, Illinois; Hybrid Schedule) to focus on bringing new technologies to life through co-creation with partners, creation of functional industrial prototypes and working with early adopter customers to validate solutions. Deliverables include prototypes with increasing maturity level that may be significantly different from HARTING's core business.

HARTING aims to be a trusted advisor to HARTING customers and positions itself as the go-to source expert for industrial connectivity solutions. We partner directly with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Distribution partners for standard product, designed-in value-added products, and Product Development initiatives.

To succeed in this role, you will be highly driven to:

* Ideation, conceptualization, and development of new innovative products, including validation of development results in line with customer requirements in the field of connectivity.

* Close coordination with internal and external customers or project teams, as well as project management.

* Focus on rapid prototyping and testing, as well as collaboration with early adopters to validate market potential.

* Communicating results and market potential to both technical and non-technical stakeholders or audiences.

* Supporting the patent application process to protect new developments.

* Participation in industry and trade and industry fairs, as well as willingness to travel for customer appointments.

* Scan and scout new technologies to pursue innovative approaches and applications.

* Initiate, plan, and execute projects with multiple levels of complexity that may require collaboration across regional and international teams.

* Maintain, operate and manage lab equipment as necessary.

* Performs other duties as assigned.

* Travel up to 15%.

Skills and experience to thrive in this role:

* Bachelors degree in a technical field (Mechanical Engineering preferred, but also includes Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar field.)

* Passionate and open minded with an entrepreneurial mindset: you are a "maker."

* Enthusiastic about technology in core applications as well as adjacent related fields and scientific disciplines.

* 2 to 7 years of experience in new product development.

* Strong networking skills and the desire to work in a cross-functional team.

* Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

* Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

* Thorough understanding of the fundamental scientific process and engineering principles.

* Proficient with analytical software tools (e.g., CAD, MATLAB, etc.) used for design, testing and reporting.

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills that allow you to effectively present ideas to executives and customers.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Bachelors or Master's degree in engineering or other applicable technical field

* Knowledge of multiple functional areas such as product management, engineering design, and manufacturing

HARTING Americas is a subsidiary of HARTING Technology Group, a German-based global leader in industrial connectivity solutions. We develop, manufacture, and sell the world's most durable and reliable products and solutions for use in Machinery & Robotics, Automation Devices, Rail & Transportation, Intralogistics & Conveyor Systems, Energy, and Datacenter…