Job Description
Job Description
Want to apply your passion for woodworking and your creativity in a meaningful way, developing practical solutions in a fun, collaborative environment? Are you looking to join a stable privately-owned company with highly unique products and a supportive company culture?
SawStop is the world leader in power tool safety, and we're looking for an avid woodworker to join our new products team on a part-time, contract basis. Headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, SawStop is the #1 manufacturer of table saws for the commercial and hobbyist markets, and our safety technology has saved thousands of users from devastating, life-changing table saw injuries. Founded in Oregon, SawStop is part of the TTS Group, a 2,500+ employee family-owned company based in Germany with a focus on long-term growth.
SawStop is expanding our product breadth in the woodworking shop, and the successful applicant will bring relevant hands-on experience with their craft as well as a history of problem solving and innovation to their own personal shop equipment, jigs, and workflow.
PRIMARY FUNCTION
As a member of the part of SawStop's Engineering team that focuses on inspiring our customers with practical innovations, the Product Developer is responsible for identifying new relevant product and product improvement concepts using their experience as an avid woodworker, and bringing these concepts to a first prototype stage. The Product Developer will be afforded a material budget and the use of SawStop prototyping shop to produce prototypes.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Generate new product or product improvement ideas on a regular cadence together with Product Management
- Internally socialize and seek feedback on these ideas, but ultimately focus on developing prototypes to demonstrate fundamental functionality and advantages to members of the Product Management team, who will lead or assist with generating a business case
- Personally utilize prototyping resources to produce functional prototypes, targeting 8-10 per year
- Develop collaborative working relationships with technicians and engineers to enlist their help when needed on producing prototypes
- Utilize some form of CAD or manual drawing process to minimally define and document ideas
- Translate ideas from brainstorming or discussions with key stakeholders into a solid model to be further refined into a prototype that addresses specific woodworking concerns and needs.
- Develop basic understanding of the design and construction of SawStop products to understand how proposed new products or prototypes might interact with AIM technology
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GRE
- 5+ years as a professional woodworker, or 10+ years as a prolific woodworking hobbyist
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with CAD modeling tools and demonstrated capability of translating these concepts into prototypes.
- Basic proficiency using Microsoft Office tools (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Ability to work onsite in Tualatin 80%+ of the time, unless your prototyping capabilities exceed those in our workshop
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Trade school or applicable apprenticeship
- 10+ years of experience as a professional woodworker
- Working knowledge of SolidWorks 3D CAD
- Practical working knowledge of mechanics of materials, stress/strain, fastener selection, fit classes, and technical drawings
COMPANY PROFILE
SawStop is the world leader in power tool safety.
Headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon we design, engineer, and manufacture innovative power tools and accessories for the commercial and hobbyist woodworking markets. All SawStop power tools feature our patented safety technology that has saved tens of thousands of users from devastating, life-changing table saw injuries.
Our commitment to quality, innovation and safety over the past 20 years has made us the best in the industry. And our future looks just as bright as we accelerate our investments in new advancements in woodworking safety and performance. Redoubling our focus on product innovation and best-in-class quality to expand our product line and reach new markets means that we are growing fast and looking to expand and strengthen our dynamic team.
Learn more about why SawStop is a great place to work.
BENEFITS
Note this posting is for an hourly, contract position.
Please include cover letter, current resume, and Woodworking portfolio when applying.