For more than 50 years, Cannondale has been a leading innovator in the cycling world. As more riders of all ages and abilities get on the roads, trails, and streets than ever before, we're here to do the best work of our lives to push the greatest human-powered machine into the future each and every day. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where every teammate can succeed as we inspire riders everywhere. Fueled by a free-thinking, always-game, got-your-back mentality, we ditched the rulebook and set forward on a path to make iconic bikes that simply work better. We look forward to the ride with you.
As a Design Engineer, you will apply your expertise in engineering principles to determine the ideal design, material, and manufacturing processes. You will also have the chance to lead projects, working closely with team members and other departments to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Cannondale’s research and development facility is located in Freiburg, on the historic grounds of the Ganter Brewery. Here, you'll be part of a team shaping the future of high-performance bicycles in a unique European setting.
How You'll Make an Impact:
- Take ownership of projects from concept through production and work closely with core team to create and validate project requirements.
- Collaborate with Industrial Design, Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Project Management, and suppliers to meet project time, quality, and budget commitments.
- Design leading-edge bike technologies, frames, and components with minimal oversight, using SolidWorks.
- Employ the use of lightweight alloy, plastic, and composite materials and manufacturing processes in applications pertaining to bicycle frame and component design.
- Create 2D drawings with proper inspection dimensions and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
- Determine the ideal manufacturing process to meet quality standards, price targets and timelines.
- Work directly with suppliers for product design and testing.
- Maintain familiarity with internal testing protocols, internal clearance models, and international compliance standards.
- Create qualification test plans that meet international, legal, and CSG standards; troubleshoot testing failures and modify designs accordingly.
- Use computational analysis tools (FEA) to refine and optimize engineering design to ensure testing success while pushing the boundaries on lightweight design and performance.
- Conduct fit and function tests on designed items and take ownership of resolving any identified issues. Ensure all challenges are addressed to enable a seamless market introduction.
- Effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously. Maintain clear oversight of each project to drive successful outcomes.
- Perform research to support new, innovative designs and/or processes. Design and develop proof-of-concepts and prototypes.
- Support and follow engineering best practices and establish new best practices as needed.
- Refine frame geometries to ensure proper ride handling and rider fit.
- Stay current with battery and e-bike drivetrain technology.
- Evaluate and tune ride performance by field testing and data acquisition.
- Travel as needed to support product development and testing.
- Be a team player in the Freiburg office by assisting in office duties.
- Follow internal controls and company policies as set by company and job function.
- Contribute to Cannondale’s success by assisting with other projects and tasks as assigned.
What You Bring to the Table:
- Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering.
- 3-5 years’ experience engineering consumer products.
- Experience with tube forming processes, forging, gravity casting, and plastic injection molding.
- Strong mechanical aptitude to solve complex packaging, assembly, and mechanism problems.
- Superior knowledge of bicycle products and their assembly.
- Fluency in 2D and 3D design software with strong surfacing ability.
- Finite Element Analysis skills to analyze structures and assemblies.
- High level of self-motivation and ability to handle several concurrent projects.
- Excellent communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
- Great self organizational skills
- Ability to engineer products independently while being part of a product development team.
- Work in versatile international teams.
- Proficient in English.
- No travel restrictions with the ability to travel internationally.
Some of our Great Benefits:
- Hybrid work environment
- A mix of casual yet professional culture
- Commuter Incentive Program
- Great discounts on company products
- Located inside the Ganter brewery overlooking the Dreisam River
- Lunch rides
- Office events (Summer and Christmas)
Want a closer look into what it's like to Come Ride With Us? Explore more of Cannondale on Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the organization
As a proud member of the Pon Holdings family, Cannondale benefits from the strong foundation and extensive network of one of the Netherlands' largest family-owned businesses, as well as the largest bike portfolio in the world: Pon.Bike, including brands like Gazelle, Santa Cruz, Cervélo, Kalkhoff, Focus, Urban Arrow, Veloretti and Swapfiets. Being a part of Cannondale means being part of a dynamic and forward-thinking organization backed by the strength and stability of Pon Holdings.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Cannondale we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, regardless of your gender or race, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Our DEI Mission Statement: At Cannondale, we are on a mission to ensure all members of the cycling community feel that they belong. Our commitment to celebrating individuality and differences extends beyond our diverse line up of bikes to our workplace culture, where we recognize and embrace the strengths and viewpoints of each team member, regardless of their background or identity. We are thankful for the feedback and perspectives that challenge us to create more inclusivity in this space and hold us accountable to making meaningful progress.
WE ARE A CYCLE FRIENDLY EMPLOYER
The cycle-friendly employer certification scheme was developed to establish a European standard for cycle friendly companies. The certification is intended to help European companies to improve the situation for employees that cycle to work. As an acknowledgement for our effort we received the certificate “cycle-friendly employer”.
To learn more about our privacy policy, please click here: Privacy Policy | Cannondale (English), Privacy Policy | Cannondale (Dutch).
An applicant's personal information will be shared in accordance with our privacy policy; by applying for a position, you are accepting the terms of our policy.
Top Skills
What We Do
We’re a free-thinking bicycle company that wants to inspire the world to ride.
We’ve been around since 1971, but we’re just getting started. Disruptive through relentless innovation, we're guided by a love for cycling, and making cycling better – whatever it takes.
We believe in the joy of the bicycle as a common denominator shared across the world. Join us in searching for new and better ways to share it with anyone who wants to take a ride.
Headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut, USA, we have offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.
