Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees have the power to change lives, in our homes, work and communities. We foster an inclusive environment while honoring a legacy built on family, where everyone can be themselves.
If you are ready to join an industry leading organization where our people are the most important asset, and innovation propels us into the future, you’re ready to take your seat at La-Z-Boy Incorporated.
WE BELIEVE IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF COMFORT
Job Summary:
This position will lead a multidisciplinary team in the creation and development of all frame and structural requirements for new products, engineering prototypes, REAs (Request for Engineering Actions), product support projects, as well as the reengineering of existing products within the global residential division. This role is pivotal in driving product and process innovation and ensuring the structural integrity of products by utilizing advanced CAD modeling and structural design principles. This role is responsible for leading projects from concept through production, including documentation, material evaluation, and implementation into manufacturing facilities.
Job Description:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):
- Lead the identification and development of frame and structural requirements, establishing the style’s design direction based on guidelines from merchandising when applicable.
- Create detailed drawings and CAD models for multiple materials including but not limited to wood, foam, panelboard, metal, and plastic components for new and re-engineered products, ensuring alignment with aesthetic, functional, and cost criteria.
- Independently research and implement changes to existing products and ensure all designs are tested, documented, and entered in the appropriate databases.
- Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on designs to optimize structural integrity and manufacturability and lead the creation of physical prototypes for review against design criteria and standards.
- Develop and execute test plans for new or existing materials, evaluating data to ensure compliance with industry and company standards, and recommend improvements when necessary.
- Oversee the creation of all necessary manufacturing documentation, including wood lists, prints, and BOMs, and lead the implementation of approved designs across manufacturing plants and supply centers.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives.
- Maintain and update high-quality design, part, and manufacturing standards and documentation.
- Train team members on processes and standards, and review their work, as requested by leadership.
- Partner with the Test Lab to design and conduct tests and engineering studies to validate and refine designs, ensuring product quality and durability.
- Lead the evaluation and selection of materials, balancing performance with cost-effectiveness to meet cost targets.
SCOPE & IMPACT:
This position has a pivotal role within La-Z-Boy's Research and Development teams, responsible for the precise creation of all prints and manufacturing specifications used across global manufacturing facilities and supply chains. This role directly impacts tooling and capital investment costs, as well as the speed and efficiency of new product implementations and engineering changes. The accuracy of the role's work is critical; any errors could negatively affect product quality, customer satisfaction, and La-Z-Boy's overall profit margin. Additionally, this position is key in troubleshooting and resolving internal and supplier quality issues, ensuring La-Z-Boy consistently delivers on its brand promise.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- High School Diploma or GED with 2-4 years of work experience or equivalent.
- CAD Certification with advanced SolidWorks experience.
- Strong understanding of frame assembly, furniture manufacturing processes, and quality standards.
- Proficient in interpreting part prints and analyzing material and product test results.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
- Knowledge of Agile and the REA process.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders.
- Up to 25% travel required
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- ASQ Certification
- Associate’s degree in engineering
- Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Often sits, repeated hand motion (such as typing and stapling), talking, standing, balancing. Seldom will you be bending, stooping, climbing stairs or ladders, kneeling, squatting reaching overhead or pulling and pushing. May be in proximity to moving parts, noise, fumes, odors, gasses, subject to oils and or poor ventilation. Often operates in a professional office environment using standard office equipment.
OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Weekly Hours:
40
Work Shift:
At La-Z-Boy Incorporated, we're an equal opportunity employer. We understand that our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints add value to our ability to create and deliver the best possible service, quality products, and is of upmost importance as we work together to build comfort. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.We are committed to fostering an environment in which all employees feel valued, included, and empowered to do their best work and bring great ideas to the table. If you are a qualified individual that may need a change or adjustment to the application/interviewing/hiring process as a result of your disability, you may request a reasonable accommodations by emailing our recruiting team at [email protected] or by calling 734-242-1444.
Top Skills
What We Do
La-Z-Boy Incorporated brings the transformational power of comfort to people, homes, and communities around the world—a mission that began when our founders invented the iconic recliner in 1927. Today, we operate as a vertically integrated furniture manufacturer and retailer, committed to uncompromising quality and compassion for our consumers.
Our Retail segment consists of 184 company-owned La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores and is part of a broader network of over 350 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries®, serving customers nationwide when coupled with La-Z-Boy.com. Joybird®, an ecommerce retailer and manufacturer of modern upholstered furniture, has 12 stores in the U.S. In our Wholesale segment, we manufacture comfortable, custom furniture for our Furniture Galleries® and a variety of retail channels: England Furniture Co., which offers custom upholstered furniture, and casegoods brands Kincaid®, American Drew®, and Hammary®, which provide pieces that make every room feel like home.
The La-Z-Boy Incorporated state-of-the-art, LEED-certified world headquarters is located in Monroe, Michigan. This location along with our Innovation Center in Dayton, Tennessee, and all our North American manufacturing locations all represent our commitment to the environment—we integrate sustainable business practices to reduce the impact of our operations.
Being a great employer isn’t limited to our sustainability or record-breaking safety performance; it also means being a good corporate citizen. In FY 2023, La-Z-Boy Incorporated and the La-Z-Boy Foundation granted more than $3 million to non-profit organizations through monetary and in-kind donations. Our signature partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) helps give families a comfortable home away from home while their children receive much-needed medical care, as we’ve donated more than 15,000 pieces of furniture to RMHC® homes.
Join our team to impact the world through comfort.
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