Lead Design Engineer

Job Title: Lead Design Engineer

Manager Title Engineering Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

FECON, LLC is a vegetation management equipment manufacturer located in Lebanon, Ohio near Kings Island Amusement Park. FECON is known for having very high-quality products and a team culture - and we are growing! We design, build, test, sell and service our equipment consisting of products such as our well-known “Bull Hog” mulchers, the Stump Ex, our high-quality FTX tractors of varying horsepower, as well as many other attachments. We offer competitive wages, full health care benefits and a continuous learning culture for those who want to grow with the company.

Job Summary:

The Lead Design Engineer is responsible for leading the design and development of innovative, cost-effective, safe and reliable products that are properly documented for manufacturing. This role owns assigned design projects from concept through launch within the New Product Development (NPD) Stage/Gate process, serves as a technical resource and mentor to the engineering team and co-ops, and provides technical expertise to resolve production, quality and field issues.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Product Design & Development: Designs, modifies and documents products and components using CAD/PDM software, applying design-for-manufacturability, serviceability, cost, safety and reliability principles in accordance with defined timelines.
• Project Ownership: Owns assigned design projects, including milestone tracking, design iterations and evaluations, work delegation and prioritization, supplier coordination, and an understanding of the financial and business case. Keeps project status current in the team’s shared tracking tools.
• Stage/Gate & Team Meetings: Participates in NPD Gate meetings and bi-weekly project team meetings to report project status, design or specification issues, risks and changes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborates with Product Management, Research & Development and the Engineering Manager to define and fine-tune product specifications, evaluate feasibility and marketability, and translate customer requirements into design solutions that meet organizational goals. Contributes ideas for new products and enhancements.
• Validation & Prototyping: Supports prototype builds, fixturing and product testing with R&D and Test Engineering, and incorporates test results and field feedback into design changes.
• Design Review & Standards: Reviews designs with the Engineering Manager for approval and feedback on alignment with specifications, cost-effectiveness, safety and reliability. Applies and helps maintain engineering drawing, documentation and release standards.
• Change Management: Initiates and drives Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and Engineering Change Notices (ECN) to implement design improvements and resolve quality issues, ensuring drawings, BOMs and supporting documentation are accurate and complete at release.
• ERP/MRP Data: Creates and maintains part numbers and Bills of Materials (BOMs) in the ERP/MRP system, partnering with the Engineering MRP Specialist and Production Administration on design changes that affect inventory and material planning.
• Cost & Supplier Collaboration: Works with the Engineering Manager and Purchasing to identify cost-reduction opportunities, using ERP/MRP cost reports to support design and costing decisions. Requests quotes for new parts and materials and collaborates with vendors to select components and troubleshoot reliability concerns.
• Production Support: Coordinates the timing and impact of design changes with production and operations staff, ensures Floor Supervisors have and understand the most current drawings, change notices and build procedures, and seeks production feedback on proposed design and process changes.
• Quality & Field Support: Acts as a technical product expert for escalated product, production, rework and field campaign issues, and supports Customer Service with repair and update documentation. Participates in the quality war room and drives root cause analysis and corrective action (e.g., A3) for design-related issues. Joins customer visits to troubleshoot complex issues on site.
• Mentoring & Development: Mentors and assigns tasks to co-ops and junior engineers, and reviews and approves their designs for alignment with specifications, cost, safety and reliability. Uses the Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering as resources for coaching, guidance and project prioritization.
• Continuous Improvement: Follows and helps improve engineering processes, documentation and cross-departmental communication. Actively participates in engineering-related continuing education and uses supply vendors as a resource for new equipment, materials and innovation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with 3D CAD/PDM software and creating production-ready drawings and documentation.
• Working knowledge of mechanical design, fabrication and welded structures, and hydraulic systems. Experience with heavy equipment, forestry or construction attachments preferred.
• Advanced problem-solving and root cause analysis skills, with the ability to resolve complex design and production issues.
• Strong project management skills, including milestone tracking, work prioritization and delegation, and financial and business case understanding.
• Demonstrated track record of strong execution against priorities and personal accountability for commitments and results.
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication, including presenting to technical and non-technical audiences at all levels.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, adapt to shifting priorities, and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems (Infor SyteLine preferred) and the ability to leverage online tools to track milestones and communicate project status.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field preferred; minimum of a 2-year degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 4 years of engineering experience in product design and development, preferably in a manufacturing environment (4-10 years preferred).
• Experience with ECR/ECN processes and BOM and part number management.
• Experience leading projects or mentoring engineers or co-ops preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to traverse the production facility and customer jobsites; occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, reach, climb ladders and stairs, and lift up to 35 pounds, and infrequently to carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently works around moving vehicles and machinery; required to wear safety glasses and, as needed, hearing protection, hard hat, safety boots and gloves.
• Occasionally works outdoors in varying temperatures, around greases and oils, and in the presence of vibration and dust.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, including occasional overnight stays for customer, vendor and field visits.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be added at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled