Position Overview
The Design and Development Engineer II role is a high-energy, hands-on position within the New Product Development (NPD) team, dedicated to driving the creation, refinement, and scaling of next-generation products. This fast-paced position spans the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept, advanced 3D modeling, and digital simulation through physical rapid prototyping, rigorous validation testing, and global production release. It is designed for a motivated, mid-level engineer eager to deepen their expertise in diverse manufacturing methods. In this role, you will bridge the gap between abstract, innovative concepts and practical, cost-effective, and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Operating within a highly collaborative, global environment, you will partner directly with cross-functional teams in Product Management, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and international manufacturing facilities. This is an ideal opportunity for a technical professional who thrives on solving complex mechanical puzzles, enjoys validating designs in the prototype lab, and wants to take ownership of impactful products that move the world.
Company and Opportunity Overview
WNA’s vision is to be a leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions. WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from online purchase to their customers.
WNA is headquartered in the Charlotte Metro Area, North Carolina. With around 500 employees and ~$200M of sales, WNA focuses on the retail and distribution market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and the majority of large grocers and retailers.
In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three additional main product segments as well as a Service business, providing turnkey solutions for customer guidance (Access Systems), Shelving & Fixtures, and Material Handling products.
Access Solutions provides sophisticated customer guidance and loss prevention systems for major retailers. With German-engineered products and a strong installed base, this segment focuses on protecting existing market share while expanding into adjacent opportunities in smart retail, autonomous store technology, and digital integration.
Additionally, WNA offers a range of digital solutions integrated into our products, including advanced shopping cart containment systems, smart exit gate technology, and innovations for autonomous and semi-autonomous retail stores. We are continuously expanding and enhancing our digital offerings to meet evolving customer needs and drive industry advancement.
WNA is part of the Wanzl Group, headquartered in Germany, and has 12 plants in 8 countries, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360° service.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Design, develop, and implement innovative products and engineered solutions from concept through production release, creating detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, renderings, bills of materials (BOMs), assembly documentation, and packaging drawings in accordance with company standards and industry best practices.
• Maintain and manage product data, engineering documentation, CAD/PDM systems, specifications, engineering standards, revision controls, and technical records to ensure configuration management, traceability, and data integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Sales, Marketing, and Project Management teams to define product requirements, establish cost and performance targets, and deliver solutions that meet customer expectations and business objectives.
• Lead assigned New Product Development (NPD) projects and major product enhancement initiatives through all phases of the product development process, utilizing structured design reviews, stage-gate methodologies, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA), and risk-based decision-making.
• Conduct engineering analyses, feasibility studies, competitive benchmarking, value engineering assessments, and technology evaluations to improve product performance, manufacturability, reliability, sustainability, and overall cost effectiveness.
• Execute validation testing, reliability assessments, and performance evaluations; analyze results and provide data-driven recommendations to support design decisions and product improvements.
• Design, build, and refine prototypes, test fixtures, mockups, and validation assemblies while providing hands-on support during concept development, pilot production builds, and product qualification activities.
• Manage technical execution of custom-engineered and standard production product projects, including requirements definition, design development, schedule adherence, risk mitigation, and release milestones.
• Create and revise assembly procedures, installation documentation, engineering change notices (ECNs), and technical specifications to support efficient production and product support activities.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, test techs, and external partners to evaluate materials, components, manufacturing processes, and emerging technologies that support product innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure products comply with applicable regulatory requirements, safety standards, industry certifications, and quality management system requirements while supporting corrective and preventive action initiatives.
• Communicate project status, technical risks, design changes, validation results, and development milestones to stakeholders, suppliers, and customers to ensure alignment and informed decision-making.
• Incorporate customer feedback, field performance data, warranty information, and VOC insights into product development activities to enhance customer experience and product performance.
• Incorporate sustainability principles into product development through material selection, lifecycle assessment, waste reduction, recyclability, and carbon footprint considerations.
• Leverage engineering data, testing results, and manufacturing performance metrics to drive design improvements.
Skills and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME or MET) from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 years of engineering, product design, and development experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling of parts & assemblies using CATIA, NX, or Autodesk, with strong preference for SolidWorks.
• Experience managing design data, configurations, and revisions using PDM systems such as Teamcenter, SmarTeam, or Autodesk Vault, with a preference for SolidWorks PDM.
• Proven ability to execute reverse engineering on physical products to optimize, update, and improve legacy designs.
• Expertise in generating engineering drawings, industrial drafts, and robust technical documentation.
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills, including experience using FEA to support engineering design decisions.
• Hands-on experience with fabrication or prototyping equipment, backed by a strong mechanical aptitude to conceptualize, design, and manufacture complex components.
• Experience in welding, steel tube/wire, and multi-material integration (including wood, extrusions, plastics) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent small- and large-scale projects under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to proactively prioritize workloads, execute tasks independently, and adapt to changing demands.
• Strong commitment to proactive project management and meeting critical project milestones.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the broader Office suite for data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and manage external client relationships.
• Ability to produce professional technical writing, project reports, and data-driven solutions.
• Highly motivated to deliver innovative design solutions while maintaining strict cost competitiveness.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 15%, including international travel.