Product Development and Design Engineer

Gopher Sport is looking for a passionate, creative, and technically skilled Product Design Engineer to join our team and help bring innovative, manufacturable products to life.

Gopher Sport is an industry-leading inventor and seller of high-quality, innovative products used by teachers, coaches and kids for physical education, athletics, fitness and recreation.

To help teachers and coaches show kids how to have fun and be healthier through physical activity. Started in 1947, we are committed to giving our customers innovative, high-quality products; fast, friendly, easy, right service; and an unconditional satisfaction guarantee.

• We are one dependable and trustworthy team
• We are passionate about quality and excellence
• We move fast to innovate, simplify, and improve

You will design new products and improve existing ones, transforming concepts into manufacturable solutions used by millions worldwide.

You will brainstorm design solutions, prototype physical models and proof of concepts, create CAD models and renders, define colors, materials and manufacturing processes, understand cost and vendor constraints, turn CAD models into technical drawings, review samples and troubleshoot quality issues, and develop engineered solutions for part connections, tolerancing, and manufacturing methods to ensure reliable assembly and production.

This is a full time, in-person position in Owatonna, MN.

• Create designs that satisfy the product’s performance, appearance, design, functionality, quality and cost requirements.
• Provide design options with alternative solutions.
• Create designs that are manufacturable.
• Recommend ideas for design modifications to improve the performance, appearance, design, functionality, quality, or cost of each product.
• Troubleshoot and modify existing designs in order to solve manufacturability, cost or other obstacles.
• Improve design for improved durability, appearance, manufacturability, quality and cost.
• Confirm product specifications, BOM’s, product descriptions and presentations are correct.
• Research patents in concept phase. Create patentable ideas. Avoid infringement.
• Move assigned product projects through the design stages, meeting or exceeding deadlines.
• Create technical drawings and product specification documents for manufacturing, following company standard processes.
• Update and correct any product designs or technical or manufacturing specifications that change or are incorrect.
• Store working and completed design and specification files according to department processes.
• Collaborate with others internally or externally on complex designs and diverse product categories.
• Assist in the completion of customer-facing product use and product assembly instructions.
• Assist in other activities associated with receiving and confirming prototypes, samples, first shipments, quality issues, returns, etc.
• Build physical proof of concept prototypes for product projects as needed or directed.
• Maintain lab tools and machines, including required maintenance and supplies, as well as make determinations on additional tools to expand prototyping capabilities.
• Oversee material management and ordering, ensuring necessary materials are stocked and available for prototype building.
• Keep lab up to safety standards, clean and organized.

• 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design / Product Design / Mechanical Engineering
• 3+ yrs experience in Industrial Design / Product Development
• Solid Works proficiency; including technical drawings and 3D modeling
• Advanced understanding of materials and manufacturing
• Hands‑on experience building and testing early‑stage prototypes using diverse materials, tools, and maker‑space equipment
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt quickly

You’ll get satisfaction knowing you’re helping millions of kids around the world have fun and become more active and healthy. Plus, you’ll get a competitive compensation and benefit package, including traditional and HSA Health Insurance options, Vision, 3 weeks of Paid Time Off accrued the first year, 3 weeks of remote work flexible hours, 8 company paid holidays, profit sharing, 401K, a Lifestyle Spending Account, tuition reimbursement, product discounts, an onsite fitness center and so much more!

A short, clear Cover Letter that explains WHY you are interested in this specific position and gives examples of your prior successes performing the responsibilities listed above.