Product Innovation Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

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Regular Full-Time Professional Lancaster, PA, US

Woodstream is the largest independent pest & animal control platform in North America, offering innovative brands with industry-leading efficacy and safety.

We have an immediate opportunity for a Mechanical Design Engineer II, New Product Development in Lancaster, PA.

At Woodstream, our values drive everything we do:

• Consumer is the Boss – We are committed to listening to and understanding our customers’ needs!
• Invent the Future – Challenge the status quo: Think boldly and creatively!
• Execution is Everything – We are committed to deliver with excellence, speed, and accuracy.
• Collaborate Confidently – We trust, respect, and empower each other to win together.
• Play to Win – We’re bold, ambitious, and relentless in our pursuit of success.

Benefits of Working for Woodstream:

• Competitive benefits package including:
  • 401k with Company Match, eligible on First Day of Employment
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Effective on First Day of Employment
  • Access to Company Paid Penn Medicine Health Clinics
  • Company General Bonus Program
  • Company Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Company Paid Basic Life & Disability Insurance
  • Accident, Critical Illness, & Hospital Insurance Options
  • Company Paid ID Theft
  • Legal Assistance Plan Options
  • Paid Vacation and Holidays
  • Pet Insurance
• Stable, growing working environment with a history of 150 years of doing business.
• Opportunity to advance within the company.

Overview of the Role:

The Mechanical Design Engineer II, New Product Development is responsible for leading mechanical design efforts for mid to large-size new product development projects. This role includes performing advanced technical research, sourcing materials and components, prototyping, testing, and refining mechanical designs to meet technical and performance requirements. Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Design, Develop, and Prototype New Products: Lead the design, development, and testing of mechanical components and products, ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and regulatory standards. Oversee prototype refinement to improve performance and functionality.
• Support Manufacturing and Optimize Efficiency: Collaborate with sourcing teams to select materials, create final specifications for product manufacturing, and provide technical support throughout the production process. Identify cost-reduction opportunities and design production test fixtures to ensure manufacturing readiness.
• Drive Innovation and Risk Management: Prepare and present technical developments, conduct DFMEA, patent assessments, and benchmark competitor products. Research and implement new technologies to enhance product performance, sustainability, and compliance with ESG goals. Must maintain external focus – among suppliers, academic advancements, competitors, industry events – to proactively identify and recommend technologies that could be integrated into Woodstream.

The Mechanical Design Engineer II will work closely with the Director of Engineering and cross-functional teams to provide technical guidance and ensure materials and mechanical designs align with project specifications and broader business strategies. Additionally, this individual will play a key role in supporting manufacturing by providing final mechanical specifications and ensuring seamless transitions from development to production, driving technical excellence and supporting product innovation efforts.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Design and develop mechanical components and products for large projects, ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee the development, testing, and refinement of mechanical prototypes to improve performance, safety, and functionality.
• Collaborate with sourcing teams to select the best materials and components for quality and cost-efficiency.
• Create final mechanical specifications for product manufacturing and provide technical support during the production process.
• Prepare and present technical developments within the company, including product demonstrations, technical specifications, and materials that highlight innovation.
• Create "clean sheet" product designs based on marketing specifications and validate them through 3D printing and hands‑on prototyping.
• Review existing designs and processes to identify cost-reduction opportunities and improve product efficiency.
• Design and build production test fixtures for new product launches, ensuring readiness for manufacturing.
• Perform DFMEA, design reviews, and patent assessments to mitigate risks and identify patentable features or infringement issues.
• Benchmark competitive products and research relevant technologies to enhance product performance, sustainability, and meet ESG goals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Engineering, New Product Development and cross-functional teams to prepare and present technical developments within Woodstream. Develop compelling product demonstrations, technical specifications, and other support materials that clearly communicate Woodstream’s innovation capabilities.
• Display perseverance and flexibility in overcoming technical challenges. Approach setbacks as opportunities to find alternative solutions, maintaining a proactive, growth‑oriented mindset to drive project success.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.

This position has several primary objectives which are critical to the overall success of Woodstream:

• Lead the design, development, and refinement of mechanical components and prototypes, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize material selection, create final manufacturing specifications, and provide technical support during production.
• Drive innovation through risk assessments, competitive benchmarking, and technology research to enhance product performance, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.

Other Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned
• Position could include up to 5-10% travel for project meetings, supplier visits, and production assessments.

Successful Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 3-7 years of experience managing mid-large size projects in mechanical engineering design and new product development.
• Proficiency in mechanical design software (SolidWorks or other similar 3D CAD)
• Prior experience in plastics part design experience is highly desirable
• Excellent hands‑on skills including but not limited to machining metals, sheet metal fabrication, and general shop equipment use are also highly desirable
• Experience with product prototyping and testing.
• Creative approach to problem-solving, broad understanding of manufacturing processes, and results-oriented mindset are required

Woodstream is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to recruit, hire, train and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, marital status, union affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic

Note: If hired, Employment Eligibility Verification will be carried out upon selection. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer.

We retain employment applications for a minimum of 2 years from date of receipt for non-hire applicants or from date of termination for employees/contractors and possibly longer if legally required.