Product Development Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Full Time Maple Grove, MN, US

7 days ago Requisition ID: 1165

Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

Location: Maple Grove, MN
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Shift: First Shift
Salary Range:$75,000-$95,000 annually
Travel: Up to 10%

For more than 75 years, Timesavers has been a leading manufacturer of industrial sanding, deburring, and finishing equipment. Our machines are trusted by manufacturers around the world to improve productivity, product quality, and operational efficiency. As we continue to invest in innovation and expand our product portfolio, we are seeking a Product Development Mechanical Engineer to help design and develop the next generation of industry-leading equipment.

The Product Development Mechanical Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and improving Timesavers' industrial machinery from concept through production. This position focuses on creating practical, innovative mechanical solutions that enhance product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and customer value.

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Service, and Sales, this role leads and supports product development projects while driving continuous improvement across existing product lines. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical design skills with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and enjoys seeing designs evolve into finished products.

• Design and develop new machine components, assemblies, and product enhancements.
• Participate in all phases of product development, including concept development, design, prototyping, testing, validation, and production release.
• Evaluate prototype performance and incorporate testing results and customer feedback into final designs.
• Develop practical engineering solutions that improve machine performance, reliability, safety, and serviceability.

• Create 3D models, detailed manufacturing drawings, and bills of material using SOLIDWORKS.
• Design welded fabrications, structural frames, sheet metal components, conveyors, drive systems, and mechanical assemblies.
• Perform engineering calculations, component selection, tolerance analysis, and design verification.
• Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, maintainability, and product quality throughout the design process.
• Identify opportunities to improve product performance, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) initiatives.
• Participate in root cause analysis, corrective actions, and engineering problem-solving activities.
• Assist with product standardization and cost reduction initiatives.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure designs are practical, efficient, and production-ready.
• Work closely with Controls Engineering to integrate mechanical and electrical systems.
• Partner with Supply Chain to identify cost-effective components and qualified suppliers.
• Support Service and Technical Support teams with product troubleshooting and improvement initiatives.
• Provide engineering support to Sales and Product Management on customer applications and product enhancements.

• Support prototype builds, product validation, and machine testing.
• Analyze test data and recommend design improvements.
• Assist with equipment startup, troubleshooting, and occasional field evaluations.

• Maintain engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and revision history.
• Process Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Prepare technical documentation, test reports, and engineering records.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5-8 years of mechanical engineering experience, preferably designing industrial machinery, automation equipment, or capital equipment.
• Proficiency with SOLIDWORKS or comparable 3D CAD software.
• Experience designing welded structures, sheet metal fabrications, and mechanical assemblies.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Machine design principles
  • Power transmission systems
  • Bearings and motion-control systems
  • Structural design
  • Fabrication and machining processes
  • Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management abilities.

• Experience designing industrial machinery, finishing equipment, conveyors, or material handling systems.
• Knowledge of pneumatic systems and industrial automation.
• Experience using PDM and ERP systems.
• Background in prototype development, testing, and product validation.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

We're looking for a practical, collaborative engineer who enjoys solving real-world mechanical challenges and seeing designs come to life. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between CAD design, prototype testing, and hands-on collaboration on the manufacturing floor. You take ownership of your work, communicate effectively across departments, and understand how to balance engineering creativity with practical manufacturing requirements.

If you enjoy developing innovative industrial machinery and contributing to products that make a meaningful impact for manufacturers around the world, we'd like to hear from you.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Stable, growing company with more than 75 years of industry leadership.
• Opportunity to work on innovative industrial machinery used worldwide.
• Collaborative engineering team with direct involvement from concept through production.
• Hands-on environment where your ideas have a visible impact on the products we build.
• Professional growth and the opportunity to help shape the future of our product line.