Product Development Engineer III

Product Development Engineer III

Job Location:

US-IN-Hobart

# of Openings: 1

Daifuku Airport America Corporation is a subsidiary of Daifuku North America, a group company of Daifuku in Japan – the largest material handling company in the world. Our advanced systems move everything from car bodies at auto plants to luggage at airports to packaged goods  are known as experts in engineering, manufacturing, and servicing innovative automated material handling systems including conveyors, automatic guided vehicles, automated storage & retrieval systems, and integrated controls.

The company is currently seeking a seasoned Product Development Engineer. In this role, you will help design new products, assist with proof‑of‑concept and prototype testing, and review existing designs to support the enhancement or revision of our current products. Applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering and experience with 3‑D design software, such as Inventor and other tools in the Autodesk suite.

You will use these skills to create technical drawings that aid the design and production process.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Conceives, designs, develops, engineers, prototypes, tests, and revises mid‑size and large‑scale, moderately complex, new fabricated products for conveyor systems and applications.
• Performs engineering calculations to ensure a robust design, including horsepower, stress, torque, deflection, torsion, overhung load, sortation rate, cycle rate, air consumption, and amperage draw.
• Works with other teams to troubleshoot and resolve development and design issues.
• Ensures that new products are safe, reliable, and easy to maintain.
• Selects appropriate and cost‑effective purchased products.
• Analyzes data to identify trends in usage, cost, performance, and reliability.
• Develops and executes test plans for concepts and prototypes to establish operational parameters.
• Uses modeling and simulation tools to prove or disprove designs.
• Partners with design, manufacturing, quality control, purchasing, and administration teams.
• Mentors less‑senior team members.
• Travels up to 20%.

Skills & Abilities

• Experience in the design and development of conveyor‑related products, including conveyor equipment individually and on a system level, competitor’s products, power transmission and automation components, plastics, metals, alloys, and chemistry, manufacturing considerations, and design cost, budgets, and expenditures.
• Proficient with AutoCAD, Solid Works, Solid Works Enterprise PDM, Micro Soft Office, and simulation modules.
• Ability to use Excel to sort large data tables and create calculation tables.
• Ability to use PowerPoint to create visual explanations and presentations.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented environment.
• Organizational skills to meet project plans and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic and creative thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Team‑oriented and collaborative.
• Ability to learn new skills and technologies.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Master’s degree (plus).
• Minimum 7 years of experience in the material handling industry.
• Experience in conveyor systems with carton handling or pallet handling.
• Experience with Motor Drive Roller (MDR), Sortation Technologies, installation, project management, electrical, or Solid Works Enterprise PDM administration.

Demonstrated Physical Abilities

Remain stationary for 50% of the time; move/traverse throughout the office to access file cabinets and office equipment; operate a computer and other productivity machinery; inspect documents; communicate with others through talking/hearing; read/identify/assess forms and correspondence.

Daifuku Airport America Corporation is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer / veterans / disabled, and federal sub‑contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, or medical condition.

Daifuku Airport America Corporation offers an excellent compensation package including great benefits such as medical, vision, and dental insurance, paid vacation time, paid sick time, paid holidays, 401(k), flexible spending programs, and more.

At this time, our company only receives applications online. If you need assistance applying online to this position, please call 248‑553‑1000.