Position Overview
The Product Development Engineer I is an entry-level role within the New Product Development (NPD) team. The role completes defined engineering assignments and supports the design, development, testing, release, and continuous improvement of Retail, Digital, Access, and Material Handling products under the guidance of experienced engineering team members.
Working across the full product development lifecycle, the Product Development Engineer I collaborates with Product Management, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Project Management to help deliver practical, cost-effective, manufacturable, and innovative solutions that meet customer and business needs.
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:
• Complete assigned product design and engineering deliverables from concept through production release and continuous improvement, including 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly documentation, and packaging drawings, with guidance and technical review from experienced engineering team members.
• Maintain accurate product data, engineering documentation, specifications, revision records, and technical files in applicable CAD/PDM systems to support configuration control, traceability, and data integrity.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Project Management to understand product requirements and support project objectives, cost targets, and customer expectations.
• Own defined engineering tasks, components, subsystems, and low-complexity product changes while supporting broader NPD projects through the applicable Product Gate Review (PGR) process; complete engineering deliverables, participate in design reviews, identify technical risks, and communicate status.
• Support engineering analyses, feasibility studies, competitive benchmarking, value engineering, and technology evaluations to improve product performance, manufacturability, reliability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Plan and execute assigned validation tests and performance evaluations; document results and make data-driven recommendations with guidance from experienced engineering team members.
• Design, build, and refine prototypes, test fixtures, mockups, and validation assemblies while providing hands-on support during concept development, pilot builds, and product qualification activities.
• Support the technical execution of assigned engineered-to-order (ETO) and standard product projects, including requirements definition, design development, risk identification, schedule commitments, and engineering release milestones.
• Create and revise assembly procedures, installation documentation, engineering change requests and orders (ECRs/ECOs), and technical specifications to support production and product support activities.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, test technicians, and external partners to evaluate materials, components, manufacturing processes, and design alternatives.
• Support product compliance activities by documenting applicable requirements, completing assigned verification activities, and maintaining accurate test records in coordination with Quality and other subject-matter experts.
• Communicate project status, technical risks, design changes, validation results, and development milestones to the project team and other stakeholders.
• Incorporate customer feedback, field-performance information, testing results, and manufacturing data into assigned product improvement activities.
• Consider sustainability principles in assigned design work, including material selection, waste reduction, durability, and recyclability.
Skills and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• 0-2 years of experience in product development, mechanical design, manufacturing, or engineering; internship, co-op, or relevant project experience will be considered.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software; SolidWorks experience preferred.
• Familiarity with PDM systems and basic principles of design-data management, configuration control, and revision control; SolidWorks PDM experience preferred.
• Ability to create and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly documentation, and technical specifications.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, tolerances, quality-control principles, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; familiarity with engineering analysis, testing methods, design of experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, or finite element analysis (FEA) is preferred.
• Hands-on mechanical aptitude and interest in fabrication, prototyping, testing, and product validation.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize work, adapt to changing demands, and meet established deadlines with guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite for data analysis, documentation, and reporting.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and motivated to deliver practical design solutions while considering product performance, quality, and cost.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, including occasional international travel.