Product Development Engineer

Role details

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Our mission is protecting the world's water. We work every day to support the sustainability of our most precious resource, so our people know what they're doing matters.

Join our team and do work that matters. Visit www.orenco.com/jobs to learn more or check out the official job description (below).

Company Description

Orenco Systems, Inc. (subsidiary of Infiltrator Water Technologies) is a manufacturer of innovative onsite and decentralized wastewater collection and treatment technologies. Solutions include community collection systems, advanced secondary treatment systems, watertight fiberglass tanks, and in-tank pumping and filtration systems. Orenco also manufactures high-quality standard, custom, and OEM controls, along with state-of-the-art fiberglass buildings, tanks, and enclosures.

Infiltrator Water Technologies is a market leader within the onsite wastewater treatment industry, Infiltrator manufactures a variety of revolutionary products and innovative, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional stone and pipe leachfield and concrete septic wastewater system components. We sell our products through wholesale distribution across the United States and Canada for use on properties with onsite wastewater treatment systems.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

This is a Product Development position responsible for the design, development, testing, and improvement of products and product systems from concept through production release. The incumbent applies technical knowledge, engineering principles, and independent judgment to develop innovative product solutions that meet company objectives for performance, quality, manufacturability, compliance, and cost.

Safety/Culture

• Continuously maintains Orenco Management's safety, cultural, and professional standards.
• Promotes, encourages, and reinforces a positive safety culture, safe practices, and a safe work environment.
• Ensure work areas are clean, organized, and free from safety hazards.

Product Design and Development

• Design and develop new products and product improvements from concept through production release.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, and detailed engineering drawings.
• Conduct design reviews and evaluate design alternatives.
• Develop and coordinate prototype construction and testing activities.
• Support product validation, verification, and performance testing.
• Evaluate field performance issues and implement corrective design solutions.
• Apply creative and independent problem-solving skills to complex product development challenges.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

• Evaluate product designs for manufacturing feasibility, efficiency, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to reduce production costs and improve product quality.
• Recommend design modifications to simplify assembly and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with manufacturing personnel to address design-related production challenges.
• Assess process capabilities and establish appropriate product tolerances.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to product design and manufacturability.

Material Selection and Engineering Analysis

• Evaluate and specify materials based on product performance, manufacturing requirements, durability, and cost.
• Support material selection for rotational molding, injection molding, composites, fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP), sheet molding compounds (SMC), thermoplastics, and metal components.
• Review supplier material recommendations and support test data.
• Analyze material performance in structural and environmental applications.
• Investigate material-related failures and implement corrective actions.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding product material selection and performance.

Regulatory and Compliance Support

• Ensure product designs comply with applicable company standards, industry requirements, and regulatory criteria.
• Support UL and other product certification activities.
• Review product designs for compliance with safety and performance requirements.
• Assist in preparing technical documentation required for product approvals and certifications.
• Support engineering verification activities required for regulatory compliance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Product Management, and Field Service personnel throughout product development activities.
• Participate in project planning, design reviews, value engineering efforts, and product-launch activities.
• Communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Serve as a technical resource to internal stakeholders.

Documentation and Knowledge Transfer

• Maintain accurate engineering documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
• Prepare and update design records, specifications, test reports, and related technical documents.
• Provide technical training and knowledge transfer to Engineering, Product Development, and Manufacturing personnel.
• Support development and continuous improvement of engineering standards and documentation practices.

Administrative and Team Participation

• Maintain a safe, organized, and professional work environment.
• Attend and participate in team meetings, design reviews, and project meetings.
• Support departmental continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain regular, consistent, and predictable attendance.

Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, industrial engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred. Associate degree in an engineering-related field plus significant directly related product development experience may be considered. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, certifications, and experience may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• 2-5 years of experience in product design, product development, engineering, manufacturing, or related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing products from concept through production release.
• Proficiency creating and maintaining 3D CAD models, assemblies, and detailed engineering drawings using Solid Works.
• Experience with product validation, verification, and performance testing methodologies.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles and their application to product design.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes including rotational molding, injection molding, composite fabrication, thermoplastics, fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP), sheet molding compounds (SMC), and metal fabrication.
• Experience selecting and evaluating materials based on performance, cost, durability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, regulatory standards, and test reports.
• Experience supporting regulatory compliance and certification programs, including UL or similar industry standards preferred.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop practical and innovative solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong project planning, organization, and documentation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Product Management, and Field Service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Experience with engineering change management and product lifecycle documentation systems preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and meet company insurability requirements if operating a vehicle for business purposes.

TOOLSEQUIPMENT

Computer

General office equipment

Phone

Vehicle

WORKING CONDITIONS

Primarily office environment with occasional exposure to outside elements when traveling, conducting field work, or within the manufacturing areas. Travel requirements may include operation of a motor vehicle, airplane travel, and overnight stays in temporary lodging. May also require the ability to visit project sites that are situated on a variety of developed and undeveloped terrain/locations. Includes exposure to outside weather conditions. field work may include occasional exposure to wastewater, requiring proper use of personal protective equipment including but not limited to gloves.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Regular job duties include seeing, speaking, hearing, reading, writing, keyboarding, prolonged periods of sitting including extended time viewing a computer screen. Intermittent physical activity including standing, walking, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, holding, bending, twisting, kneeling, stooping, squatting, and occasional light lifting of under 20 lbs. May also include occasional unassisted lifting of up to 50 lbs., occasionally up to 70 lbs. Lifting over 70 lbs. must be assisted. Operation of a motor vehicle and airplane travel may be required. Travel needs are determined by business need and assigned job tasks and responsibilities.

Travel may require the ability to visit project sites that are situated on a variety of developed and undeveloped terrain/locations.