Crossett Search & Advisory Group

Our growing manufacturing client is seeking a hands-on Design Engineer to be the technical bridge between the client’s customers and its production floor. This role is responsible for translating customer requirements into manufacturable, cost-effective designs, while simultaneously pushing the company's internal design capabilities forward. The ideal candidate combines strong customer-facing communication skills with hands-on proficiency in 3D CAD, CNC programming, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build high-quality custom products. This is a high-ownership role with significant influence over design standards, drawing documentation, and long-term product re-engineering efforts.

NOTE: The client is not offering any type of relocation or sponsorship. The ideal candidate resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What you will do:

Customer Interface & Project Development

• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for customers throughout the design and pre-production process
• Develop solutions that work for both the customer and the clients production capabilities, balancing aesthetics, function, and manufacturability
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with general contractors, project managers, and end clients
• Commit to timely responses to customer inquiries and maintain proactive communication throughout project lifecycles
• Prepare and deliver competent cost estimates and design quotes, with a clear understanding of materials, labor, and production complexity

Design for Manufacturability & Continuous Improvement

• Apply design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles to all new and revised fixture designs, reducing production complexity and material waste
• Re-engineer select existing fixture lines to improve ease of fabrication, assembly, and shipping without compromising form or function
• Identify and standardize universal parts and common components across product lines to reduce SKU proliferation and improve production efficiency
• Review and update assembly instructions to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with current production methods
• Champion a continuous improvement mindset in all design work, with feedback from the Floor and the Customer, always asking how the next iteration can be better, faster, or less costly to produce

3D CAD, CNC Programming & Tooling

• Lead the adoption and advancement of 3D CAD tools across the design function; help move the company toward more parametric, model-based workflows
• Evaluate and recommend cutting tools, feeds, and speeds for CNC operations; collaborate with production on tooling improvements
• Standardize drawing formats, title blocks, and design conventions to improve consistency and downstream usability
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the company's internal production capabilities as well as external vendor capabilities for outsourced components or processes

Who you are:

• 5+ years of experience in product design, manufacturing engineering, or similar technical design role
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, CAM software, or similar); demonstrated ability to create production-ready drawings
• Strong design-for-manufacturability instincts — the ability to envision how a design will be built, not just how it will look. Demonstrated strong spatial cognition
• Excellent customer communication skills for both internal & external customers; comfortable in client-facing and contractor-facing settings
• Ability to produce accurate cost estimates based on design specifications, production requirements and capabilities, and material selections
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple active projects simultaneously
• Experience with CNC programming and nesting software; working knowledge of tooling, feeds, and speeds for woodworking or related materials (preferred)
• Knowledge of UL and/or NSF standards
• Exposure to Epicor ERP or similar manufacturing ERP systems
• Background in Lean design principles or value engineering

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This role is primarily office and design studio based, with regular time spent on the production floor to verify designs, observe manufacturing processes, and collaborate with the production team. The ability to walk the shop floor, review physical samples, and participate in hands-on design reviews is expected. Occasional travel to customer sites or project installations may be required.

Compensation:

$100,000k to $120,000k base salary + bonus opportunity. Final compensation will be determined by the work experience, education, and/or skill level of the applicant and along with internal equity and alignment with geographical market data.