Product Definition Engineer

About the role

The Product Definition Engineer serves as a key member of the Configuration Management team, responsible for managing the lifecycle of product-related objects within the PLM system. This role ensures that all objects are correctly related to the overall product structure and comply with all applicable policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Become a subject matter expert in the plant product structure within the PLM system, including top-level plant structures down to component-level details.
• Create and maintain PLM objects such as parts, specifications, design basis records, reference documents, supplemental documents, part numbers, drawing numbers, and change actions.
• Ensure all PLM objects link correctly to the overall product structure and support accurate bill of materials (BOM) and product configuration.
• Create and manage Change Actions in the PLM system to release objects to engineering and support change control processes.
• Maintain both standard design product structures and project-specific product structures within the PLM environment.
• Perform Responsible Configuration Management (RCM) reviews of technical documentation to ensure compliance with configuration management requirements prior to submittal.
• Carefully coordinate configuration management activities with internal teams such as engineering, project management, sourcing, quality, and regulatory affairs, as well as external partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of configuration management processes, tools, and best practices within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Support quality requirements by participating in design reviews and by initiating and responding to corrective actions as needed.
• Aid engineering teams with revisions, change controls, restructuring, and movement of objects within the PLM system.
• Support the cleanup and preparation of existing PLM data, including parts, specifications, design basis documents, and reference documents, in anticipation of migration to a new PLM platform.
• Contribute to building and supporting a team focused on standardizing the plant product structure, including major systems such as nuclear island, turbine island, heating systems, cooling systems, piping, and pumps.
• Manage engineering documentation, including engineering change management and document management activities, to ensure data integrity and traceability.
• Deliver accurate, high-quality configuration and product data within agreed timelines in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Essential Skills

• Associate’s degree in engineering, business, data, or a closely related field.
• 1–3 years of experience working with PLM software, including creating objects and building BOM structures in any PLM system.
• 1–3 years of experience in configuration management, BOM management, or product structure management.
• Experience interfacing with manufacturing or engineering environments within a PLM system, ideally in build-to-order industries such as aerospace, defense, gas turbines, oil and gas, chemical plants, or EPC organizations.
• Hands-on experience creating PLM objects such as change actions, design records, supplemental documents, part numbers, and drawing numbers.
• Ability to work extensively within PLM to create objects, ensure correct product structure linkages, and release data to engineering.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with large, cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams.
• Understanding of design engineering processes and engineering lifecycle management.
• Experience with engineering change management and document management.
• Comfort working in a practical, “do-er” role focused on execution rather than purely strategic configuration management.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with PLM systems such as Enovia, Teamcenter, Windchill, or equivalent platforms.
• CM certifications such as CMII, CMPIC, or similar credentials.
• Experience in roles interfacing with customers, regulators, and/or suppliers.
• Proven ability to take ownership and responsibility for actions, deliverables, and results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly document and explain configuration and product structure decisions.
• Self-starter mindset with a positive, can-do attitude and an inclusive, collaborative working style.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering quality work on schedule in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with multiple assignments and priorities.
• Ability to adapt quickly, learn diverse organizational interfaces, and operate with professional astuteness and agility.
• Experience using communication and productivity tools such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with configuration management frameworks and best practices, including BOM structure management, configuration management reviews, and data change processes.
• Experience supporting or participating in transitions between PLM platforms and associated data cleanup activities.