Project Engineer, VAVE

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: Hybrid in Union City, TN

Opportunity

Join a passionate team of engineering professionals delivering innovative and quality consumer products to Americas customers. The primary responsibility of our VAVE Project Engineer is to identify and realize cost out opportunities in a target-oriented manner through VAVE methodology and total cost analysis as part of a highly collaborative cross-functional team. The VAVE Project Engineer will combine strong technical and communication skills with creativity to ensure the highest level of quality and experiences for our customers.

In this role, you will:

• Leverage your engineering fundamentals and creative problem-solving skills to design innovative, cost effective, and highly functional bathing, showering and styling space products that lead our industry and delight our customers.

• Determine the technical feasibility of new product concepts and product redesigns for existing products.

• Collaborate with global cross-functional teams including marketing, program management, industrial design, and operations to develop innovative solutions and deliver quality improvements within specified timeline.

• Partner with our global engineering organization to share knowledge and best practices and provide feedback on designs and deliverables

• Study market trends, customer reviews, regulatory requirements and emerging technologies to identify future opportunities for innovation and enhancement.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Perform cost out opportunity mining exercises by pareto analysis, competitor benchmarking and tear down, operations/distribution center site visits, etc.

• Apply VAVE methodologies and tools to identify cost reduction opportunities.

• Perform total cost benefit analysis and finalize annualized savings for given projects.

• Develop alternative design concept prototypes and CAD drawings using design software. Coordinate the development and verification testing of alternative designs.

• Create/update BOMs, submit engineering change requests and release the revised designs in Windchill and SAP.

• Work with cross functional teams to ensure engineering changes are compliant with regional/global regulations, operations processes, internal standards, sustainability goals, and customer requirements.

• Provide high-level feasibility analysis on initial product concepts.

• Perform engineering calculations, tolerance stacks, and develop detailed technical drawings, incorporating engineering standards and GD&T.

• Conduct and attend Technical Design Reviews, Failure Mode and Effect Analyses, and brainstorming sessions and contribute professional opinion, creative ideas, concepts, and approaches to new product design and development projects. Utilize these tools to identify and mitigate risk.

• Evaluate designs for environmental sustainability and recommend improvements.

• Utilize CAD software for the realization of concepts or designs.

• Leverage our world class on-site prototyping and test lab capabilities to validate product features and production and make necessary design modifications based on results.

• Capture knowledge for re-use and sharing across the global development organization.

• Use speaking, writing and listening skills to effectively share information, communicate results, express opinions and motivate others to act.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET accredited program.

• Minimum of 2 years of mechanical engineering experience.

• Previous experience in new product design and existing product optimization-preferred

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of CAD modeling.

• International and domestic travel as needed

#LI-SC2

#LI-Hybrid

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The salary range for this position is $83,300 - $105,200. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.