Product Development Engineer

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.

We at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies run the business operations of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. Being part of the global Freudenberg Group, our company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for automotive and general industries. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between Freudenberg and NOK Corp. in Japan, is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, operates more than 20 facilities and employs about 4,700 people across the Americas.

Some of your Benefits

401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.

Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.

Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.

Vacation: We offer time off to refresh and recharge.

Personal Development: We offer a variety of trainings to ensure you can develop in your career.

The Product Development Engineer performs engineering activities related to product design, development, applications, and manufacturing processes. This position develops design solutions and technical concepts that meet customer and business requirements, coordinates product development activities, verifies design performance, supports product launches, and resolves product and process concerns

Cleveland, GA

Plymouth, MI

On-Site

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership

Product Development Engineer

Responsibilities

• Design product solutions within the approved framework and coordinate development activities
• Modify existing designs and components to meet evolving product performance and application requirements
• Manage assembly functionality and installation requirements while balancing project timelines and future product development needs
• Develop and evaluate product concepts considering functional, material, manufacturing, and cost requirements
• Conduct design investigations considering functionality, packaging, materials, manufacturability, and overall product performance
• Check drawings and data records for accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation
• Perform simulations and engineering calculations for strength, service life, wear, dimensions, weight, and other applicable design factors
• Evaluate benchmarking tests and apply findings to product concepts and development decisions
• Conduct design verification and analysis, validation testing, return investigations, and product and process improvement projects
• Apply analytical tools such as FEA, DFMEA, DFSS, and DFM/DFA to assess risk and optimize product designs
• Develop creative concepts, evaluate technical feasibility, and conduct risk assessments for new or modified products and processes
• Prepare product development design packages for new or modified products
• Design, prototype, and assemble new or modified mechanical components for development and testing activities
• Analyze test results against design specifications and test objectives, and document conclusions
• Support product launches through design, prototyping, testing, APQP, PPAP, and production readiness activities
• Provide technical leadership and support to customers, suppliers, commercial teams, and other internal functions
• Work directly with customer product development teams to address technical requirements and development priorities
• Analyze components returned by customers, identify the root causes of failures, and prepare technical reports for internal and external customers
• Support resolution of product and process quality concerns through structured problem-solving methods
• Participate in GROWTTH and Lean activities, including Kaizen events, 5S activities, value analysis and value engineering initiatives, and program management workshops
• Prepare and present technical presentations, proposals, and reports with supporting data for internal and external audiences
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting agreed deadlines
• Travel to customers, suppliers, and other FNST facilities as required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field required
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or another technical field preferred
• Product design or product development experience required; automotive product development experience preferred
• Ability to conceptualize mechanical components, assemblies, and component interactions
• Knowledge of machine dynamics, strength requirements, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, materials, wear, dimensions, weight, and service life considerations
• Experience designing products with rubber, thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, or related polymer materials, including knowledge of associated manufacturing processes, preferred
• Ability to assess manufacturing feasibility based on process knowledge and economic considerations
• Ability to prepare and check engineering drawings and data records, including the application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Experience using 3D CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Siemens NX (UG), CATIA, or similar programs to create and modify product designs, assemblies, and engineering drawings preferred
• Knowledge of engineering tools such as finite element analysis (FEA), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA)
• Knowledge of automotive product development processes, including Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Verification (DV) testing, Product Validation (PV) processes, and customer-specific requirements preferred
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and technical communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional team environment
• Ability to work independently, manage conflicting priorities, and meet deadlines
• Ability to make sound decisions, influence key stakeholders, and adapt to change and ambiguity
• Creative, organized, data-driven, and proactive approach to problem-solving
• Ability to work overtime as business needs require and travel to customers, suppliers, and other FNST facilities
• Communication & Collaboration: Communicates clearly and concisely, while engaging proactively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Value for Customers: Anticipates, understands and meets internal/external customers’ needs and expectations. Develops solutions based on a customer centric approach.
• Innovation: Drives and supports innovative ideas, while taking informed risks to seek and develop new or improved solutions.
• Drive & Execution: Proactively identifies what needs to be done and takes action. Explores new ways and pursues new opportunities.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.