Director of Mechanical Engineering

Company: Whisker
Location: Auburn Hills
Posted on: May 3, 2024

Job Description:

Description:Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether its a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 500+ passionate team members.What Youll Do:The Director of Mechanical Engineering is responsible for leading the Whisker team of Mechanical Engineers, Product Designers and others in designing, developing, and launching the next generation of connected pet products. The Director of Mechanical Engineering will also work with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development to drive the Whisker product roadmap.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.Oversees, evaluates and assists in the design of connected pet products from start to finish using CAD/Solid Modeling toolsResponsible for both people management (development, coaching) and project escalation for those projects in their domainEnsures engineers on the team deliver core requirements on projects while meeting quality, cost, and timing targetsEnsures that programs are adequately resourced (both staffing and skills required) for hardware activitiesEnsures the team is trained and skilled in using standard methodology, tools, and processesManages and recommends professional training (informal and formal) where needs ariseBuilds, develops and maintains strong performing teamsParticipates in design, modeling, and test prototypes for new productsConducts design reviewsParticipates in advanced surface design for new product developmentUtilizes top down design techniquesPerforms research and creates design proposals for projectsCreates concepts, performance, and production criteriaProduces drawings and specificationsCreates initial BOM and track costsEnsures all designs are optimized for performance and costStays in touch with market trends and drives benchmarking studiesWill perform additional responsibilities when requiredLeadership Responsibilities:Directly supervises department Teams. Carries out supervisory responsibilities following Whisker policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and hiring, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, addressing team issues, and upholding safety and quality guidelines. This leader will help communicate a shared vision on scaled mechanical systems for current and future technology enablement. Understanding and building development plans around program timelines for mechanical systems is the responsibility of this leader.Requirements:What Youll Bring:BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or other relevant field10+ years experience in product design6+ years experience with injection molded plastics, electronics packaging and motor-driven mechanisms3+ years experience with electronics packaging3+ years experience with motor-driven mechanismsExperience overseeing and evaluating the design of durable consumer products from start to finishExperience managing a team of Mechanical Engineers, Design Engineers, and Industrial DesignersExperience with supplier sourcing (domestic and overseas)Experience supervising and leading an engineering teamProven ability to be a leader and motivate teams to be creative, agile, and detail orientedJira knowledge and a general understanding of Agile methodsBackground in plastics product designFamiliar with top down modeling techniques, as well as surfacingHas been involved in multiple successful new product introductionsExperience in developing test methodologies for validation and reliabilityHas experience in design for assembly (DFA)Proficient in Microsofts business suite of software (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)Proficient in PTC Creo and other CAD Design systemsMaintains confidentiality of proprietary informationAbility to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptionsHigh degree of initiative, self-motivation and ability to motivate othersAbility to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleaguesComfortable with office pets (cats, dogs)Not Required but Nice to Have!Not required to have pets but highly recommendedExperience with Google SuitePTC Windchill or other PLMBenefits & Purrks:Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the why, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrows pet productsplus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insuranceLife InsurancePTO14 Paid HolidaysPaid Parental Leave401K with 4% MatchFlexible Work ArrangementsTop of the line equipmentStatement of Inclusivity:We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.#onsite1by Jobble

Keywords: Whisker, Elyria , Director of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering , Auburn Hills, Ohio