Principal Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Do you want to work for a company where your co-workers are co-owners? We are 100% employee owned! At The Bernard Group, we work to wow. As a visual merchandising company leading the retail industry in design and production, we come together as a team to win big for some of the most successful brands in the world. Since we’re an employee-owned company, we don’t just list our values, we live them, providing the highest-quality products and services day in and day out. And we do it all with sustainable materials carefully sourced from eco-friendly partners that support social change and community involvement.

The Bernard Group is looking for a Principal Design Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for leveraging your expertise to partner with cross-functional teams to develop processes that improve efficiencies between manufacturing and engineering for resource planning. You will also help implement strategies to support future team resource needs. You will lead the design and development of custom retail fixtures and displays that meet client specifications and brand standards. These fixtures may include a variety of materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and in some cases, electronics. Your advanced technical expertise in SOLIDWORKS and industry experience will be crucial to delivering high-quality, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs. You will collaborate closely with our design, product development, production, and project management teams to ensure successful project outcomes.Additionally, you will mentor junior design engineers and drive continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering team.

Shift available: Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

A variety of these traits will help land you this job:

• a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field

• a minimum of 15 years of experience as a Design Engineer, preferably in the retail fixtures or visual merchandising industry

• Expert proficiency in SOLIDWORKS, SOLIDWORKS PDM, and other relevant design engineering tools

On top of that you must have:

• the ability to mentor and lead a team of junior design engineers

• experience in working through design engineering projects from concept to completion

• excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail

• the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

• strong communication skills to effectively convey ideas and collaborate with clients and team members

• project management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines

• strong knowledge of materials (wood, metal, plastic, etc.) and manufacturing processes (fabrication, machining, finishing, etc)

• strong knowledge in the use of the G Suite of products, Microsoft Word and Excel, and Adobe products.

• experience with prototyping and testing methodologies.

• knowledge of retail industry standards and regulations.

• familiarity with 3D printing and other rapid prototyping technologies.

• creative thinking with a strong aesthetic sense.

• motivated self-starter with the ability to work effectively unsupervised and as a part of a team.

In this position, you will:

• develop processes and efficiencies between manufacturing and engineering

• be an integral member of a team that implements and manages MRP and/or ERP software, along with supporting a more data-based communication between teams

• lead the design and development of custom retail fixtures and displays from concept to production using SOLIDWORKS

• mentor and provide guidance to junior design engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement

• collaborate with clients, designers, product developers, and project managers to understand project requirements and translate them into detailed engineering designs using SOLIDWORKS

• create 3D models, detailed drawings, and specifications for custom retail fixtures and displays in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment

• create PDF drawing packages and any required file outputs requested by production or external vendors to support production

• revise models and drawings as needed due to changes or redlines from clients, vendors, or production departments

• maintain accurate revision control of all SOLIDWORKS drawings and file outputs

• follow all departmental and company SOPs to ensure consistency in your work

• work with vendor partners to understand fabrication techniques to assist in the creation of accurate models and drawings

• assist in the development of prototypes and conduct tests to ensure designs meet quality, functionality, and safety standards

• select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes to optimize cost, durability, and aesthetics

• create renderings using PhotoView360 or Visualize (as needed)

• work with production teams to oversee the manufacturing process, ensuring that designs are accurately executed (as needed)

• exhibit a strong understanding of the use of various hardware solutions, material attributes, finishes, and finishing techniques

• participate in and potentially run value engineering exercises (as needed)

• provide technical support and troubleshooting during the production and installation phases (as needed)

• stay updated with industry trends, materials, and manufacturing technologies to incorporate innovative solutions into designs

• ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations

• manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget constraints

• complete quality checks of team members’ drawing packages to ensure that we are outputting our best work

• perform miscellaneous projects and complete various tasks as required by management

• other duties as requested by management

To get hired at The Bernard Group, you MUST be:

• able to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills including, demonstrated listening skills and the ability to present ideas and thoughts concisely and effectively both internally and outside the organization
• willing to admit when you make a mistake (it happens to the best of us)
• fiercely loyal to both our customers and team
• trustworthy, reliable, and easy to get along with
• enthusiastic and eager to take on new challenges
• adaptable and willing to wear whatever hat gets the job done

TBG Overview:

• We're a 900-person visual merchandising company
• We are 100% employee-owned
• We offer a generous paid time off benefit that increases with tenure
• This is a full-time position in Chanhassen, MN

The Art of Teams at TBG:

We came to understand how small teams of top talent with the right chemistry will consistently outperform a centralized production process. We put a great amount of energy into building individual teams to handle the speed and details of retail. It’s the difference between average and being a world class service provider.

If you have the talent to do this job, a passion for excellence and are interested in joining the TBG team, please complete the form on this page.

Thanks!
The Bernard Group, Inc.