Research & Development Engineer

The D.S. Brown Company, a Gibraltar Industries Company, founded in 1890, is a worldwide leader and supplier of engineered products to the bridge and highway industry. Headquartered in North Baltimore, Ohio, we sell to bridge and pavement contractors, specialty subcontractors, and construction product distributors. We pride ourselves on our quality workforce and reputable products.

About the role

As a Research & Development Engineer, you will lead the company’s product development and improvement efforts, including generating new and redesigned product ideas. You will help drive an innovative culture at DS Brown, influencing sales, estimating, engineering, and operations teams on both large- and small-scale project initiatives. This includes cost-saving efforts across the entire fabricated product line to enhance market competitiveness. You will own projects from concept detailing through design, cost analysis, testing, and product launch, including any specification changes required. This is an on-site position located in North Baltimore, OH.

Responsibilities

• Leads teams to develop new products or product redesigns from concept to launch, including mechanical hand tools, new/redesigned core products, and industrial automation.
• Studies the existing product portfolio to uncover cost-saving opportunities and executes plans that improve labor efficiency, streamline processes, and reduce material usage.
• Executes engineering and cost analyses to develop data-driven project plans and actionable targets.
• Manages projects and teams to meet established completion dates.
• Develops, enhances, and ensures compliance with product development standard operating procedures.
• Creates and manages production of product prototypes, including pre-production drawings.
• Tests product concepts and/or final models for functionality and ability to meet product specifications; writes test plans and manages test processes.
• Performs competitor product analysis and testing.
• Investigates materials and potential suppliers for new product development and established product improvements and cost reductions.
• Investigates product performance problems and drives design improvements to enhance existing product performance and quality.
• Develops and maintains control documentation including drawings, specifications, and procedures.
• Serves as a technical support lead for sales and manufacturing groups as required.
• Works with the Manager and/or Patent Attorney to determine patent feasibility and provide necessary documentation.
• Reports revenue and profitability from successful new product offerings to upper management.
• Optimizes product portfolio through deployment of 80/20, considering gross margin potential and growth opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences, balance workloads, or equalize peak work periods.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary accountability satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Education/Experience: Bachelor of Science (required), Graduate degree (preferred) in Civil (Structural) or Mechanical Engineering. 5+ years of experience in bridge design, fabricated structural product design, or equivalent design and testing experience in a graduate program.
• Core Competencies: Fostering Teamwork, Managing Performance, Building Collaborative Relationships, Customer Orientation, Result Orientation, Personal Credibility, Fostering Innovation, Strategic Thinking.
• Organizational Competencies: Proactive communication and teamwork; self-motivated, independent, highly organized, creative, and strong work ethic.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong analytical and forecasting skills, including financial statement knowledge and interpretation.
  • Proficient in AutoCAD or SolidWorks, and FEA modeling.
  • Experienced with steel and other material design; practiced designing bolted and welded connections; understands stress-strain analysis and fatigue design.
  • Knowledgeable or able to follow design standards and prepare general product design calculations.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and strong influence abilities.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Licenses/Certifications: PE license or intent to acquire; strong preference for having passed the FE exam.
• Physical Requirements: May require lifting up to 25 pounds. Duties involve extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with regular sitting, walking, and bending throughout the day. Must be able to see and hear.
• Work Conditions: Office, production/lab (testing), and worksite environments. Occasional travel. Production or worksite environment may be loud and dirty.

Benefits

• Health & Welfare:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and dependents.
  • Health care & dependent flexible spending plans.
  • Free Life and AD&D coverage with supplemental coverage options.
  • Employee assistance programs focused on mental health.
• Financial Wellbeing:
  • Competitive compensation.
  • Bonus opportunities.
  • Generous 401(k) plan.
• Flexibility & Time Off:
  • Paid time off, including vacation, bereavement, jury duty, sick leave, disability, holidays.
  • On-site & hybrid work opportunities available.
• Community & Personal Development:
  • Donation matching and time off to volunteer.
  • Educational reimbursement.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, Day Shift.