Product Design R&D Engineer II

Job Description

The OPD Engineer II is an experienced engineering role responsible for leading product design enhancements, supporting manufacturing implementation, and driving continuous improvement initiatives on our Menomonie, WI team. This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and serves as a key technical link between product development and plant operations, ensuring solutions are manufacturable, scalable, and aligned with Andersen’s quality, cost, and performance objectives while advancing our goal of delivering a world‑class customer experience.

• Lead design enhancements and product line extensions within assigned platforms (e.g., A‑Series, 200 Series)
• Translate product requirements into robust, manufacturable solutions with minimal supervision
• Proactively identify design risks and drive mitigation strategies early in the development process

• Serve as a primary engineering liaison to the Menomonie plant for assigned products and projects
• Ensure design changes are production‑ready and aligned with tooling, processes, and plant capability
• Lead implementation of product and process changes, including pilots, validation, and production ramp‑up

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) on complex product and process issues using data‑driven methods
• Identify and implement design and process improvements to enhance quality, reduce cost, and improve throughput
• Drive measurable improvements in key performance metrics (e.g., defect rates, capability, efficiency)

• Lead and influence cross‑functional teams including operations, quality, supply chain, and suppliers
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineers
• Effectively communicate risks, trade‑offs, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership

• Analyze engineering and production data to support design decisions and continuous improvement
• Develop and execute validation plans, including testing, DOE (Design of Experiments), and capability studies
• Support material qualification, supplier changes, and product certification requirements
• Create and present reports summarizing technical analysis and business viability to varied audiences

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, related field, or equivalent practical experience)
• 3–7 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing or product development environment
• Experience as a design engineer on a cross‑functional engineering team
• Strong aptitude for process improvement, problem solving, technical execution, and project management
• Experience delivering products from ideation through commercialization using a gated design review process

• Experience with window/fenestration products or similar engineered systems
• Knowledge of PDP / stage‑gate product development processes
• Experience with statistical tools, DOE, and data analysis
• Experience with Autodesk, FEA, MS Office, BAAN, and MES

• Strong technical problem‑solving and analytical capability
• Ability to lead projects and influence cross‑functional teams
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and constraints
• Effective communication and decision‑making skills
• Continuous improvement and ownership mindset

• Independently leads scoped projects and design improvements
• Drives resolution of complex technical issues with minimal oversight
• Improves product manufacturability and plant performance
• Contributes to faster, more efficient product development cycles
• Builds capability within the team through mentorship and knowledge sharing

$90,039.00 - $

• 401(k) Plan, Employer Fixed Contributions & Company Matching
• Profit Sharing
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Paid Maternity Leave & Paid Parental Leave
• Career Growth Planning & Nationwide Career Opportunities

* For employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, some…