Product Design Director jobs in Rock Island, IL

Company Overview

Wherever you work and whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of our larger mission to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We start by offering each teammate more than just a salary. We provide formal training, competitive performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build your future. We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you are made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need. Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Position Summary

We are searching for a Senior Product Design Engineer to join our Bandag team in Muscatine, IA.

As a Senior Design Product Engineer, your primary duty is applying current and innovative technologies to develop “best-in-class”/industry leading Bandag retread products in targeted markets throughout the Americas. Specifically, this position will be accountable for the geometric aspects of the pre cured tread products.

We strive to unite individuals with diverse perspectives to create a world-class team where you can thrive.

Responsibilities

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing technical recommendations and options for medium to high priority new product development and maintenance of existing products, COGS reductions, and applied research initiatives associated with retread product design.

• Supporting continuous improvement efforts to reduce the time to market of new products, while ensuring performance and quality are not jeopardized.

• Ensuring intellectual property is managed properly, both internal and external.

• Developing higher complexity 3D computer models of tread design and associated tooling using PTC / Creo 8 or Higher software.

• Knowledge sharing with the Product Design Engineering Team within Bandag R&D.

• Producing and revising models and documentation needed to support the manufacture of compression molding tooling.

• Collaborating with Global Engineering Services and Manufacturing Process Team supporting tooling requirements and interface specifications.

• Accountable for technology and innovation of systems and tools used for the design and development of Retread products.

Duties

Product design and modeling

Project management of medium priority global tread product development projects (all aspects: planning, tracking, ISO documentation, etc.)

Technical management of medium to high priority global retread product development activities including test design and DOE, data interpretation, reporting, and launch of new products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Design.

• 8-12 years' experience with Pro-E / Creo, or rubber industry and mold tooling experience required.

Personal Contact/Working Relationships:

• Requires working with global marketing product managers in feasibility studies of new products & managing the projects & resources to deliver within ROI hurdles, quality, & time boundaries.

• Collaborate with internal & external suppliers & customers: process engineering, mold procurement, supply chain management, quality systems engineering, manufacturing, regional technical centers, legal, and accounting (internal); Dealer & fleet customers (external), Standards & Regulations (internal).

• Have the written and oral communication skills necessary to provide management personnel with project status and recommendations.

Environment/Working Conditions:

Depending on priorities and schedules the incumbent may be required to work extended hours (over 45 hours per week) in the office Monday - Friday.

Travel - Retread shops, production facilities, fleet inspections – 15%

Estimated Non-Office Travel Breakdown: Domestic - 90% and International - 10%

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience

We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals, and teams. If you find this opportunity compelling, we encourage to apply.