Product Design Engineer

Product Design Engineer

Location: North York, ON

Our client is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high‑quality office furniture solutions, serving a broad range of corporate, educational, healthcare, and government environments. As a vertically integrated organization, our client combines industrial design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise to deliver products that balance aesthetics, durability, ergonomics, and value. With an extensive portfolio that spans seating, desking, systems, storage, and collaborative furniture, our client is recognized for its commitment to innovation, customer service, and workplace performance.

Overall Function:

The Product Design Engineer leverages strong mechanical engineering and 3D CAD skills to develop new office furniture products from concept through to production launch. Working from product concepts defined by Product Management and Industrial Design, this role is accountable for engineering complete, manufacturable, and cost‑effective product solutions that meet design intent, cost targets, quality, and applicable safety and performance standards (e.g., BIFMA, CGSB, UL/CSA). The engineer works in a concurrent, cross‑functional environment with Product Management, Industrial Design, Manufacturing, Plant Engineering, Supply Chain, and the Prototype Shop to deliver projects on time and to specification.

Key Responsibilities:

• New Product Development & Engineering
• Provide innovative, robust engineering solutions for new product concepts in seating, desking, storage, and related furniture categories (as applicable – to be confirmed with HR/hiring manager).
• Evolve initial concepts through a systematic process of 3D modeling, prototyping, and testing, optimizing function, appearance, ergonomics, manufacturability, sustainability, and cost of parts and assemblies.
• Create accurate 3D CAD models and detailed drawings for parts and assemblies using SolidWorks, following internal modeling and drafting standards.
• Prepare and maintain complete engineering documentation (BOMs, drawings, specifications, tolerance stacks) that complies with internal procedures, ECR/ECO processes, and external standards.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Industrial Design to ensure products meet market requirements, brand standards, and customer expectations.
• Participate in cross‑disciplinary project teams to solve product issues related to function, cost, manufacturability, testing, installation, compatibility with existing product lines, and application requirements.
• Support New Product Manufacturing, Plant Engineering, and other operations teams with technical data and guidance required for successful pilot runs and full production launch.
• Prototyping, Testing & Compliance
• Work with the Prototype Shop to build functional prototypes for design validation, internal reviews, customer evaluations, photoshoots, trade shows (e.g., NeoCon), and other pre‑launch activities.
• Plan and execute R&D testing to applicable standards (BIFMA, CGSB, UL/CSA, and other regional or customer standards as required).
• Analyze test results, iterate designs to resolve performance issues, and document changes through the engineering change process.
• Costing & Supplier Interface
• Develop preliminary product cost estimates to support business case development and validate feasibility against cost targets early in the development cycle.
• Liaise with suppliers to source components and manufacturing solutions; obtain quotes for parts, tooling, and fixtures; and incorporate supplier input into design decisions.
• Identify and support cost‑reduction and value engineering initiatives for existing products without compromising quality or performance.
• Sustaining Engineering & Continuous Improvement
• Provide engineering support to Production and Quality teams to troubleshoot issues, recommend corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement of existing products.
• Stay current on industry trends, standards, and emerging technologies in materials, manufacturing processes (e.g., sheet metal, plastics, wood, extrusions, castings), and sustainable design; propose opportunities to apply these to new and existing products.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 5–8 years of engineering experience in product design and manufacturing, ideally in consumer goods or furnishings (office furniture experience is an asset).
• P.Eng. license in Ontario or eligibility for registration with PEO within a defined timeframe.
• Proven experience designing for a range of manufacturing processes (e.g., sheet metal fabrication, plastic injection molding, wood products, metal frames, upholstery components).
• Strong, hands‑on experience with prototyping, product testing, and iterative design improvement.
• Minimum 3 years of advanced 3D CAD experience with SolidWorks, including complex assemblies and detail design.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic, multi‑project environment, managing priorities and meeting deadlines across multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and at all organizational levels.
• Highly self‑motivated, organized, and detail‑oriented, with a practical, hands‑on approach to solving engineering and manufacturing problems.
• Ability to travel locally to plants, suppliers, and test facilities as required.