NPD Design Engineer

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Job Description:

New Product Development (NPD) Design Engineer

We are seeking a high-energy NPD Design Engineer who thrives in an Agile environment. You will leverage expert-level systems design skills to drive iterative product cycles, prioritizing rapid prototyping to "fail fast and learn faster." Your mission is to balance engineering rigor with speed, ensuring we hit aggressive revenue targets by delivering validated, high-demand products to market before the competition. This is a full-time onsite role in our Hebron, KY location.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with marketing, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure designs are economically feasible and meet market demands.
• Participate in Learning events and daily stand-ups, managing design backlogs and delivering incremental CAD updates in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Utilize in-house 3D printing (SLA/FDM), CNC, and soft tooling to create low-fidelity prototypes for immediate "look and feel" validation and functional testing.
• Identify high-risk design assumptions early; build, test, and break prototypes rapidly to pivot or persevere before significant capital is committed.
• Use CAD (SolidWorks) to create and/or modify designs with Lean Manufacturing Principles, Design for Manufacturability, and customer satisfaction in mind.
• Ensure every design sprint moves the needle toward product-market fit and hits the KPIs required to meet annual revenue goals.
• Utilize design analysis methods such as failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA), stress analysis (both FEA & hand calculations), kinematic & dynamic analysis of mechanisms, fatigue analysis, etc.
• Develop predictive mathematical models for simulating various aspects of mechanism motion.
• Select proper materials for use in new product designs or to improve existing designs.
• Prepare complete technical data packages that clearly state design intent, utilizing GD&T and proper drafting techniques per ANSI/ASME Y14.5M.
• Conduct tolerance analysis studies to ensure parts fit and function properly.
• Lead and participate in design and process reviews as required.
• Prepare technical documents such as test procedures, technical reports, component manuals, etc.
• Interact with vendors concerning parts they supply or propose to supply to the company.
• Use metrology equipment to inspect parts and ensure design intent is met.
• Conduct/oversee product testing.
• Use PDM system for new product design and design changes.
• Consistently model the Ruger expected behaviors.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years in product development or a related engineering role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• SolidWorks Expertise: Advanced proficiency in 3D modeling, with an emphasis on modular design for quick changes.
• Agile Mindset: Experience working within Agile Project management frameworks; comfortable with ambiguity and iterative design cycles.
• Prototyping Kit: Hands-on experience with rapid fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters) and testing rigs.
• Business Drive: Ability to tie technical milestones to the commercial success of the product line.