Design Engineer - US

At Kids2, we’re really good at what we do. And when we’re great at our jobs, we help parents be great at their jobs.

Parenting is demanding, and that’s where we come in. We want to reimagine how brands can make it easier for early stage parents – not by just selling them products, but by providing holistic solutions that transcend borders, categories and aisles.

No matter our title or department, at Kids2, our job is to create more tiny wins for parents, so they can create bright futures for their little ones. That’s a big task!

We’re serious about what we do, AND we love to have fun. Our team is hardworking, entrepreneurial, and passionate about helping families create millions, if not billions of tiny wins.

SUMMARY

As a Design Engineer, this position is responsible for being the project leader for the development, engineering, and launch of core products and programs. By gaining valuable consumer insights and marketing knowledge through collaboration with cross-functional teams, he/she consolidates all development inputs to insure assigned projects meet consumer, division, and corporate objectives. 

He/she drives all engineering activities including engineered concept development, 3D modeling and CAD development, prototype and sample construction, prototyping and development testing/evaluation, tooling and mold development, regulatory testing, product/component sourcing and testing, and ultimately launching of assigned products into production. Through the course of development, the Design Engineer also is the key leader for creating costing models to evaluate project profitability. This includes developing detailed estimates, accurately updating throughout the development cycle, and finally soliciting quotations from targeted suppliers. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Product Development:

• Creates and/or manages the development of detailed product specifications including feature/performance requirements and 2D dimensional drawings.
• Reviews all designs to insure products meet consumer, regulatory, and corporate goals and objectives for function, performance, and cost.
• Engineers the design of components and assemblies to insure conformance to all regulatory and internal quality requirements.
• Engineers and/or manages the design and development of all assigned projects and products for manufacturability.
• Utilizes knowledge of plastics, injection molding, metal forming, and other manufacturing technologies to evaluate the design of tooled parts.
• Collaborates and participates in design/development activities with internal cross-functional teams including Product Management, Consumer Insights, Industrial Design, Product Integrity, Packaging, and Legal.
• Reviews all assigned programs for patentability, submits detailed patent search request documentation, and analyzes potential intellectual property concerns through collaborative efforts with the Kids II Legal Team.
• Organizes Legal Review Board submittals through all phases of development.
• Collaboratively works with the Electronics team for the development, prototyping, testing, and launch of electronic components and devices. He/she establishes the initial play pattern and the performance/functional requirements used by the Electronics team for development.
• Completes detailed evaluations for material selection, tool/die layout, material minimum order quantities, and the assembly process to calculate the best construction to meet customer, internal, scheduling, and cost requirements.

Project Management:

• Manages all aspects of engineering activities associated with assigned projects, products, and platforms.
• Analyzes costing of current products and components and develops strategy for cost reduction opportunities. Establishes the cost reduction evaluation plan and implementation schedule through collaborative efforts with the Asia engineering team. Provides the final approval and authorization for all cost reductions associated with assigned projects and/or products.
• Initiates and manages all engineering changes associated with assigned projects/products including change documentation, test reports, and implementation.
• Organizes all Quality Review Board submittals through tooling release as outlined in the development schedule to insure adherence to regulatory and internal standards. This is conducted through collaborative reviews with the Product Integrity Team.
• Collaborates with Asia engineering team for the purchase and construction of capital investments including injection molding tooling, metal and tube forming dies, fabric cutting and sonic welding dies/horns, and packaging dies. The Design Engineer work in collaboration of the PMO, Manufacturing and procurement team to complete the final evaluation and approval for all capital expenditures associated with projects/products assigned.
• Coordinates the development and construction of prototypes and samples for engineering evaluation, product testing, regulatory submissions, Sales Department samples, and consumer testing and studies including negotiating the procurement schedule and cost giving final approval of prototype.
• Coordinates and attends weekly cross functional meetings between US and Asia counterparts to maintain open and timely communication between all teams.

Vendor Management:

• Collaborates with Asia engineering and procurement teams for the sourcing, evaluation, and final selection of component and/or product vendors. Final review and selection determined by the Product Development Engineer.
• Encourages vendor relationships through an understanding of company policies, and procedures that may affect the vendor’s performance and the company’s success.
• Keep a direct involvement with Asian vendors and suppliers through the product development cycle, driving product development from concept to first shipment of finished goods.
• Monitor and help resolve in collaboration with the Product integration team, all product, quality and performance issues between factories, vendors and the Kids II product development team.
• Travel to Asia one to three times per year at strategic intervals in the development cycle to oversee the development and launch of product and maintain milestones within the product development process.

Business Management:

• Maintain Kids II business management software to track profitability, determine cost feasibility, and manage net margin.
• Issues design, engineering and prototype P.O. requisitions, while managing budget “spend” per the approved budget guardrails.
• Use business management tools to “set up” parts for operational transition form product development to operations within Kids II organizational structure.

Reporting:

• Develops and maintains weekly engineering updates to report development progress, profitability, and project status.
• Utilizes project management skills and timesheet to create and maintains detailed development schedules outlining all development activity from the market evaluation stage through final launch/production.  Schedules are created in various formats as required based on the status of each project. Includes creation of initial MS Excel/Project schedule, Product Information Sheet (PIS) schedules, Phase Gate schedule, and integration into WorkFront.
• Other duties & responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience in a similar engineering function for the engineering, management, and development of consumer products or equivalent.
• Strong project management skills and experience.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of basic engineering principles, manufacturing techniques/technologies, and documentation management of specifications.
• Strong organizational skills specifically for the development, qualification, and manufacturing of consumer products.

EDUCATION & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s Degree (BS) in Engineering related field – Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Physics, or equivalent work related experience is required. (MSc preferable)
• Project Management.
• Manufacturing Techniques and Technologies
• Good understanding of product development processes and procedures for successful management of overall product development process.
• Proficient skills in 3D CAD systems (Pro/ E, Autodesk, Solidworks, ,MoldFLOW, etc ) for reviewing, measuring, and approving design intent along with product qualification.
• Good working knowledge of plastic injection molding, metal forming, fabric construction techniques and integration, and mechanical assembly.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• None required.
   

COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Proficient 3D CAD system knowledge, Proficient in Microsoft suite of business software including Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits. Plus, to keep things fun (because we are all kids at heart), we offer a host of team member activities and philanthropic efforts throughout the year and company-wide awards and recognition for a job well done!

Check out our website at www.kids2.com and our social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more information and open positions in the career section.

Drug Free Workplace M/F/D/V