Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer

Windings, Inc. New Ulm, MN

$75,000 - $95,000 annual / DOQ

May fill position at a higher level depending on qualifications.

We are committed to providing pay ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on your experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations. The listed pay range is provided in good faith and is subject to adjustments in accordance with company policies and market conditions.

Windings, Inc. is a 100% employee‑owned company, meaning every employee‑owner shares in our success. As an ESOP since 1998, we contribute 10‑12% of your annual pay toward your retirement—at no cost to you.

For over 60 years, we’ve built custom motors and components for some of the world’s toughest environments—from outer space to the battlefield, racetracks, and deep drilling sites.

We’re currently looking for a Product Development Engineer who thrives in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment and wants to make a real impact on how products move from concept to production. If you’re excited by complex challenges and want to be part of a purpose‑driven, collaborative team, join us in our mission: “Making our Customer’s Critical Mission Possible.”

The Product Development Engineer will work cross‑functionally to support product and process development of complex technologies and ensure efficient and effective implementation into a production environment.

• Provide guidance to others related to the functional deliverables associated with prototype, tool design, Project Management, and Quality Systems.
• Understand, apply, and disseminate complex or ambiguous customer requirements into actionable product development plans.
• Execute activities related to development manufacturing planning, including definition of bill of materials, work instructions, time estimates, tooling design, inspection requirements, understanding and application of quality requirements, etc. to ensure that the product meets the customer’s requirements and is delivered on time and within budget.
• Supports all aspects of technical reviews.
• Ensure documentation meets quality system, contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Creates technical reports, validations, and qualifications by capturing experimental results.
• Interacts and collaborates with customers to effectively support and recommend appropriate studies, improvements and risk assessments for their products or technology.
• Establishes and cultivates a network of support (design, quality, manufacturing, engineering, sales, and marketing) to facilitate completion of assignments.
• Based on knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing process predict technical interactions and provide contingency plans to mitigate project and manufacturing risks.
• Using design for manufacturing practices and an understanding of current manufacturing capabilities, translate customer technical and quality requirements into reasonable product specifications.
• Support development builds associated with assigned projects.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s (BS) degree in engineering or physical science from an accredited university or college.
• General understanding and working knowledge of common engineering concepts & applications including statistical and scientific tools (e.g., Gage R&R, DOE, process capability, SPC, etc.).
• Experience in a manufacturing setting is desirable.

Knowledge / Skills

• Demonstrated strong financial acumen and uses this knowledge to influence short‑and‑long‑term financial decisions of key projects, including capital expenditures.
• Exhibits effective communication (verbal and written) with functional managers, project leaders, co‑workers, and customers. Including the ability effectively summarize and communicate technical information to internal and external customers.
• Proficient at documenting processes, process validations, qualifications, protocols, reports (technical and non‑technical), and test methods.
• Demonstrated expert‑level working knowledge of concepts and applications related to engineering/scientific…