Research & Design Product Engineer

Location: Maryville, Tennessee, United States

Workplace: on_site

Description

Overview

We are seeking a creative and hands-on Research & Design Product Engineer to develop, test, and launch innovative tooling and equipment for the global tire and rubber industry. You’ll play a key role in advancing the next generation of tire manufacturing technology, converting early-stage concepts into proven, production-ready designs.

In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with sales, marketing, product design, and production teams to bring new product ideas to life, from concept and feasibility through prototype, testing, and customer commissioning. You’ll be part of a small, agile engineering team that drives innovation across a diverse product portfolio, working directly with global customers and suppliers to shape solutions that improve performance, efficiency, and manufacturability.

If you enjoy combining design creativity with real-world problem solving, and want to see your ideas move from concept to reality on the factory floor, this is an exciting opportunity to make a visible impact within a company with a proud history of engineering excellence and global reach.

Compensation

• $105k - $115k

Relocation Assistance

• Available upon request

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision
• 401(k) with match

Requirements

Responsibilities

• Generate and Develop Product Concepts – Lead early-stage ideation (“Blue Sky” concepts) based on market and customer needs, transforming ideas into feasible product designs.
• Conduct Feasibility Studies & Analysis – Perform engineering feasibility studies, simulations, and FEA (Nastran) analyses to validate new concepts.
• Create and Refine Designs – Work with the product design team to produce detailed 2D and 3D models using AutoCAD and Inventor, ensuring manufacturability and performance.
• Prototype and Validate – Coordinate with the production team to build and assemble prototypes; oversee validation testing and final specification approval.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally – Partner with sales, marketing, and customer engineering teams to understand application requirements and market trends.
• Support Manufacturing & Quality – Work with manufacturing, procurement, and external vendors to meet cost, technical, and quality objectives.
• Document and Communicate – Prepare technical documentation, test reports, and customer-facing presentations to communicate design concepts and results.
• Drive Continuous Improvement – Identify opportunities to enhance design performance, manufacturability, and reliability across existing and future products.
• Champion Teamwork & Delivery – Support project completion efforts to ensure all deliverables meet schedule, budget, and quality expectations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Associate with significant experience will be considered)
• 5+ years of mechanical design or drafting experience
• Practical understanding of green tire manufacturing and assembly processes
• Proficiency in 2D AutoCAD and 3D Inventor design software (or equivalent alternatives)
• Experience setting up and interpreting FEA simulations (Nastran preferred)
• Knowledge of broad manufacturing processes (machining, molding, plating, coating, etc.)

Preferred Skills

• Experience in the tire or rubber industry
• Background in mechatronics or electro-mechanical systems
• Experience leading technical discussions and design reviews

The Ideal Candidate

• Innovative by Nature – You thrive on solving technical challenges and developing new solutions that push the boundaries of performance and manufacturability.
• Hands-On Engineer – You’re just as comfortable on the shop floor or in the test lab as you are behind a CAD screen, and you enjoy validating your designs through real-world testing.
• Collaborative Partner – You work well with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to align engineering decisions with business and production needs.
• Curious & Impact-Driven – You bring curiosity, follow-through, and the drive to see your designs make a tangible impact in factories around the world.

Benefits

Compensation

• $95k - $105k

Relocation Assistance

• Available upon request

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision
• 401(k) with match