Mechanical Engineer

The Mechanical Engineer will execute all aspects of the mechanical engineering process for both new and existing NK products. Reporting to the Principal Mechanical Engineer, this position will conduct customer needs analysis, ideation, industrial design, 3D mechanical design of enclosures and accessories, prototyping, testing, vendor selection, vendor management, first article approvals, assembly and test process development, fixture creation, process improvement and sustainment. Many NK products feature injection molded waterproof enclosures with tight tolerances and competing demands of space utilization, size, ruggedness and light weight. The Mechanical Engineer must be familiar with and comfortable working in SolidWorks or Creo/Pro/ENGINEER 3D CAD and must understand the detailed steps involved in turning a design concept into a manufacturable product. 

Essential Functions / Responsibilities 

• Apply extensive and diversified knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and practices to real-world design challenges.
• Design, engineer and support electro-mechanical consumer products using CAD software and other engineering tools.
• Gain understanding of existing NK product lines, materials, processes and technologies.
• Evaluate products and components through iterative concept creation, designs and prototypes. 
• Develop testing criteria, strategies, equipment and data acquisition techniques for new and existing NK products. This includes leak testing, drop testing and other physical performance characteristics.
• Analyze test data and reports to determine if design meets functional, reliability and quality requirements.
• Evaluate first articles for size, tolerances and other aspects of mechanical compliance to documentation.
• Regularly collaborate with cross-functional technical teams including hardware, software, test and manufacturing engineers serving as subject matter expert for mechanical elements of projects.
• Work closely with product and project managers to complete projects on schedule and within cost and performance targets.
• Evaluate and manage process for resolving technical issues that arise during the product development lifecycle.
• Partner with production engineers and technicians to ensure proper assembly and functionality.
• Employ Solidworks for CAD development of complex components and assemblies.
• Define critical to quality features and specifications through utilization of 3D geometry and technical drawings. 
• Create components and assemblies with design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) in mind.
• Communicate with domestic and international suppliers to source and manufacture electro-mechanical components that meet defined requirements.
• Direct, coordinate, or fabricate prototype product sample builds.
• Document product designs through internal materials and procurement teams. 
• Produce product documentation that identifies critical product dimensional and performance requirements for vendors and line operators.
• Produce complete and accurate costed Bills of Materials for mechanical assemblies
• Utilize business systems in a high volume, production environment including ERP and ECO.

Required Competencies and Personal Qualities 

• Positive attitude and ability to work with diverse teams of varying backgrounds and skillsets.
• Desire to continuously learn new skills, products and knowledge, as well as develop professionally.
• Able to work independently on major projects and/or several projects of moderate scope with complex features. 
• Desire to continuously learn new skills, products and knowledge, as well as develop professionally.
• Capable of working on multiple projects at once. Comfortable with ambiguity or fluidity on projects.
• Can take initiative, working independently or within a group without direct supervision.
• Proven as an innovative designer and problem solver.
• Ability to take ownership of tasks and projects from start to finish. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members, including other design and manufacturing professionals, line workers and vendors.
• Ability to conduct internet research and use the full Microsoft Office suite to accomplish job responsibilities.
• Both willing and able to learn new things while also having good judgement to recognize when you need to seek outside advice and assistance
• Excellent time-management, prioritization and task completion.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 3-5 years of experience developing products for high volume manufacturing, ideally consumer products.
• Strong CAD experience and proficient in Solidworks 2D and 3D design.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes including plastics injection molding, stamping, forming, machining, laser cutting, 3D printing and additive manufacturing and material knowledge of plastics, metals, gaskets, seals, adhesives and glues. 
• Experience working with assembly processes and equipment including fixtures, jigs, presses, fasteners and glues. 
• Experience and/or training in lean manufacturing principles.
• Experience working with hand tools and in a machine shop.

Supervisory Responsibility 

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Climate-controlled indoor office with attached manufacturing facility. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, climb or balance. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Dogs may be present in office. 

Training 

Most training is on-the-job but formal education and training may be provided where appropriate. 

Work Location & Hours 

NK operates on a team-led, hybrid first model. This position will include both remote and on-site work, with the balance of the two depending on the stage and needs of the projects. Given the hands-on nature of this position and its close integration with manufacturing it is expected to be on-site two to three days a week and working from home or other remote location of your choice the remainder of the week. We expect employees working remotely to be available to collaborate virtually Monday to Friday during the core hours of 10am-4pm Eastern. In addition, our remote teams get together on-site and in-person when the team determines that is the most effective way to advance a project or goal. Accordingly, applicants to this position must live within a reasonable commute time to our headquarters in Boothwyn, PA or be willing to relocate at their expense. We provide a quality laptop, test and development tools, secure access to company resources, and a technology allowance for establishing a home office. Remote employees are expected to have access to high-speed internet. Engineering employees have the use of our R&D labs and machine shop on site. All employees have access to visitor cubicles and employees who prefer to work on site more than half of the time may request an assigned cubicle. These policies and work arrangements may change in the future. We expect “excellence from anywhere” and trust our employees to become engaged in their work and passionate about making their contributions to our growth and strategy in a way that works for them while supporting the productivity of the team. 

Pay Rate 

This is a salaried position. Pay rate commensurate with qualifications and experience as well as company size. Annual bonus based on company and individual performance ranges averages 2% to 4% of compensation. 

Benefits

• Fully paid employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• Voluntary benefits include family medical, life insurance, critical care insurance, FSA dependent care and pet insurance
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave 
• HSA with employer contribution 
• 401k with employer match to 5% after 90 days. 
• 9 paid holidays, and flexible PTO

All benefits are subject to a benefit waiting period of 60 to 90 days.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance 

Must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship. Security clearance is not required.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

NK is an equal opportunity employer. NK conducts all employment-related activities in full compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and without regard to an individual’s age, color, gender, disability, marital status, national origin, citizenship, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or other legally protected categories. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment including training, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefits and all other aspects of employment. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

About NK 

Nielsen-Kellerman is the parent company for eight brands focused on helping people succeed in their profession or passion by providing mission-critical measurements, information, insight, and guidance whenever and wherever needed. Ambient Weather, Kestrel Weather, KestrelMet, RainWise, Kestrel Ballistics, MagnetoSpeed, Blue Ocean Megaphones and NK Sports are each recognized as the preeminent products for their applications from meteorology to military, firefighting to farming and rowing to research. Our products ARE us - we design them, build them, sell them, and passionately stand behind them.
 

NK has been in business for over four decades and is still growing stronger. Working here offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development as well as the fun and satisfaction of being part of a successful American business. NK is a Lean enterprise committed to American manufacturing and continuous improvement of our design, production, administrative and sales processes.

NK's home office is located in Boothwyn, PA, about 30 minutes southwest of Philadelphia and our Ambient Weather brand operates primarily from Chandler, AZ in the Phoenix suburbs. NK's work environment is informal and high-energy, and our employees' quality of life is important to us. NK is proud to have been named a Philly Top Workplace eight out of the last ten years including 2023.