Pre Production Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Description

 Are you a creative problem-solver with a passion for turning ideas into high-quality products? NASL is seeking a Product Engineer who will serve as the essential bridge between customer needs and our manufacturing capabilities. In this role, you'll drive feasibility assessments, product design, and continuous improvements from early concept through production. You'll lead sample development, refine manufacturing methods using lean principles, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, efficient solutions. As the owner of pre-production engineering-including BOMs, routing, and print development-you will play a key role in shaping how our products come to life. 

Responsibilities  

Product Engineering and Management

• Be the liaison for sales or customer requests involving product concepts.
• Coordinate information gathering between appropriate cross-functional leaders to develop answers or responses between them and potential or current customers.
• Complete new product feasibility analysis taking into consideration existing manufacturing processes and equipment capabilities.
• Complete cost analysis on new or existing products taking into consideration manufacturing process throughput rates and material options and costs.
• Answers technical questions, and works with various departments on new products, samples, cost analysis, customer requests, etc.
• Bring initiatives and requests to closure in a timely manner through effective interaction with individuals, both internal and external.
• Manages the sample development and tracking processes
• Tracking and scheduling of all current or potential product samples or new product development projects.
• Gather materials or resources needed to design the product
• Must be able to handle multiple projects while maintaining accuracy, detail, and timelines.
• Any required testing of the product for usability
• Coordination and oversight with Planning and Manufacturing to produce the samples to appropriate standards and expectations. May be required to complete some production operations on their own.
• Communication with customer service, sales, or the customer on sample progression.
• Develop costs from production samples; prepares technical analysis, recommends production methods and processes required to meet design objectives.
• Transition New products into Manufacturing and production standards
• Completion of Capital Requests based on manufacturing needs and product demands. 
• Determination and documentation of desired new product flow through manufacturing considering all process steps.
• Conduct product verification and validation testing.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues with new products and resolving those issues while optimizing efficiency and eliminating downtime.
• Participation in new product launch meetings.
• Pre-Production Engineering Leadership
• Reads and interprets architectural drawings to design architectural millwork components.  
• Generates engineering drawings to ensure adherence to established specifications and standards using CAD software.
• Prepares and reviews all architectural routings/Bills-Of-Operations and Bills-Of-Materials utilizing company's ERP system ensuring accuracy. 
• Coordinates with manufacturing/production, customer service and sales internally to develop product drawings and drafts, designs, prototypes, cost estimates and quotes for new product launches.
• Facilitate product launch and sustaining engineering activities in a timely and efficient manner.
• Review and approve Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and obtain approvals from others, as required.
• Develop and lead pre-production team growth.
• Track and report pre-production metrics.

Requirements

Education, Skills & Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, management or related field or equivalent experience. 
• A minimum of 4 years of Manufacturing experience or training
• A minimum of 2 years of Engineering (Mechanical, Quality, Manufacturing), Product Management, or Project Management experience.
• Experience with leading cross-functional teams or projects.
• Previous training or course work in the application of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S is a plus.
• Proficient in CAD/CAM software (AutoCAD) and drafting procedures.
• Must have strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated experience with product design.
• Experience working with customers and sales is preferred.
• Understanding of Project Management techniques and tools.
• Good interpersonal skills: ability to communicate effectively with employees and customers at all levels. 
• Competent in problem solving, team building, and decision making.
• Ability to meet deadlines, dependable, and self-directed.
• Self-aware, resilient, optimistic, and open to change.
• Demonstrated ability to perform and take proactive initiative in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and accomplish tasks through positive cooperation and collaboration with others; be able to coach and be coached. 
• The ability to balance and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• The ability to communicate clearly using written and verbal communication.
• ERP and engineering systems experience - (Epicor E-10, AutoCAD, Microvellum are a plus).
• Ability to successfully use basic office software applications (specifically MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Outlook).
• Ability to uphold company Core Values of Integrity, Solutions, Service and Quality as part of the NASL Team.