Design Engineer

Company Summary

We are a large, privately owned business, operating as a multi-billion-dollar leader in corrugated products and retail displays. It maintains an entrepreneurial spirit at each location despite its large scale, with multiple plants across the U.S. and recent acquisitions. The location for this position features a small, close-knit design/engineering team that collaborates daily in a highly supportive, hands-on environment with extreme ownership, mutual support, and autonomy to drive process improvements and new ideas. This location is experiencing strong growth, including a track record of doubling sales year-over-year in some periods.

Job Summary

The Design Engineer leads or supports the design, development, and prototyping of permanent retail fixtures and displays, working with a variety of materials such as metals, plastics, wood, and related components for major retail partners. Using SolidWorks, the engineer converts client requirements, brand objectives, and market insights into creative, practical, and cost-effective solutions. The role manages projects from initial concept through prototyping to final production release, conducts necessary engineering evaluations, verifies functionality, safety, and manufacturability, and works closely with cross-functional teams in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment with quick project cycles.

Responsibilities

• Guide or contribute to the creation and advancement of new permanent retail fixtures and displays , taking concepts from initial ideas all the way to full production while adhering to strict timelines and company quality guidelines.
• Convert client specifications, consumer insights, and emerging market patterns into creative, practical, and profitable design concepts.
• Produce precise 3D models, detailed technical drawings, and supporting documentation with SolidWorks; distribute finalized files to suppliers for prototype building and manufacturing.
• Carry out in-depth engineering assessments and computations to confirm performance, structural integrity, ease of production, and long-term durability.
• Choose suitable materials, hardware, and fabrication methods by balancing factors like expense, effectiveness, durability, quality, and environmental impact.
• Oversee several projects simultaneously, delivering engineering deliverables on schedule and meeting key project checkpoints.
• Engage in prototype fabrication, assembly, and evaluation processes; test ideas, review performance results, and refine designs accordingly.
• Work in close partnership with production, marketing, sales, project coordination, and additional departments to guarantee design practicality, client approval, and alignment with financial and timing constraints.
• Explain sophisticated technical ideas effectively to both expert and general audiences.
• Prepare necessary assembly guides, installation instructions for field use, and instructional video content when required.
• Identify and address project challenges quickly, partnering with the Project Manager for resolution.
• Operate shop equipment (such as table saws, miter saws, band saws, welding tools, drills, soldering stations, plastic forming heaters, and 3D printers) to support development and prototyping efforts.
• Uphold a secure workplace and promote compliance with all organizational safety rules.
• Keep informed about advancements in engineering tools, emerging materials, and relevant industry developments.
• Engage in limited travel (generally one overnight stay every few months, with advance notice and full expense coverage).

Requirements

• Must-have experience in sheet metal design .
• Basic knowledge of plastic injection molding design principles (e.g., draft angles, avoiding undercuts, understanding part removal from tools).
• Proven experience with 3D solid modeling ; SolidWorks strongly preferred (experience with SolidEdge, CATIA, NX, or similar acceptable).
• Strong understanding of manufacturability for various materials (sheet metal, plastics, wood, tubing, etc.).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment , multitask, work under pressure, stay organized, and meet tight deadlines (e.g., 3-day engineering turnarounds on average).
• Strong PC proficiency , including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills , strong interpersonal skills, and keen attention to detail.
• Ownership mentality: take full responsibility for projects from start to finish.
• Ability to lift/move up to 60 lbs and be physically active in shop/field settings.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in the permanent retail display industry .
• Experience designing sheet metal , wood , injection molded , and vacuum formed parts.
• Hands-on experience in a shop environment (using general shop tools, assembling prototypes, making modifications).
• Familiarity with Adobe design suite .
• BA/BS in engineering or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $90,000 – $95,000
• Profit sharing bonus
• Travel expenses fully reimbursed.

Location

• East Philadelphia – New Jersey

This role suits a hands-on, fast-moving design engineer who enjoys prototyping, tight timelines, and full project ownership in a collaborative, entrepreneurial team environment.