Product Engineering - HVAC

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Location: 9 Napoleon Road, Barrie (hybrid)

Job Purpose

Create a product design that fulfills the Company's strategic goals while integrating the needs of marketing, sales and manufacturing departments. Product Engineering designs and develops from concept new and improved appliances, drafts specifications for components, assemblies and manufacturing, directs the creation of prototype models or samples and fine‑tunes designs until they are ready for production. Plan and manage multiple new product developments from initial concepts through to mass production, ensuring technical requirements, deadlines and cost targets are achieved and maintain/upgrade current product line‑up, where necessary, to maintain relevance in the market. Collaborate closely with Validation Manager and Project Launch Manager to ensure an on‑time and effective production launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist Product or Engineering Manager with the specification of market requirements (physical, technical and aesthetic) for current and future products by conducting comprehensive market research, supported by on‑going visits/meetings to/with customers, internal and external and non-customers, associations, bodies, etc.
• Make recommendations based on research for the development and ongoing maintenance of a detailed and overarching product portfolio strategy and product roadmap.
• Provide and maintain an in‑depth analysis for all aspects of market, industry, regulatory environment and competition.
• Develop hands‑on, in‑depth knowledge of competitive products, organising relevant benchmarking and maintain technical analysis of competitive strengths and weaknesses of current and planned product portfolio.
• Support market assessments and competitive analyses to identify product opportunities whether new or redesigned to address different/future needs.
• Research to be conducted both independently and collaboratively with other cross functions.
• Define the technical concept that will meet the technical requirements, aesthetics and target production cost.
• Review the design to ensure progress to technical goals and deadlines.
• Ensure that design and peer reviews are completed prior to each stage gate and after each test phase.
• Document all issues and, where necessary, define recovery plans to resolve.
• Ensure design for manufacture, design for service and design for installation are optimised during development, including obtaining cross‑functional input and personally validating the suitability of the product. Work with Validation team and Customer Solutions to analyse similar products to understand and implement product improvements and, where applicable, solicits end‑customer feedback. Conduct risk assessments and recommend appropriate plans.
• Focus on design to cost, initiating the necessary activities throughout the development process to establish production costs and take corrective actions as necessary to achieve target cost. This includes consistently estimating and then maintaining cost from conception to production. Work with the cross‑functional team and, where applicable, the project launch manager to address parts suitable for outsourcing to reduce cost, or improve capacity utilisation. Additionally work with advanced purchasing to identify parts that have long‑lead items, special requirements, processes or may require new vendors.
• Plan and manage prototype phase(s).
• Assist in the creation and assembly of a functional prototype, and fabricated prototype parts and models.
• Develop a test scope and propose a product validation plan, including third‑party witness testing where applicable, that ensures product safety, performance, robustness and emissions requirements, where applicable, are met. Include both internal and external testing; to be approved by validation and technology manager. Prepare all necessary document packages for submission to third‑party agency to ensure certification, listing etc. are achieved on time.
• Evaluate using tools such as “test to failure”, early phase field testing, analysing similar product, customer solutions data, ensuring lessons learned and design checklists.
• Collaborate closely with quality, validation and product evaluation team.
• Plan and manage engineering production run and/or samples to validate the product design and drawings. Partners with the project launch manager, where applicable, to successfully complete the process run, (where the intended process is validated), focusing on the technical readiness, (launch manager focusing on system readiness). Ensure all proposed design changes are documented and implemented in sufficient time to complete production run. Provide technical support for the remainder of the launch and production run, as required.
• Responsible for ensuring new product introductions meet WSL expectations for aesthetic appearance, consistent fit and finish and robust operation by evaluation at each phase of development; using tools such as “test to failure”, early phase field testing, analysing similar product, customer solutions data, ensuring lessons learned and design checklists. Collaborate closely with quality, validation and product evaluation team to ensure the product is confirmed in a timely manner.
• Ensure all stage‑gate deliverables have been completed up to Gate 3 and support the project launch manager, where applicable, with gate 4 and 5. Schedule stage‑gate reviews and chair meetings for assigned projects. Manage scope creep by documenting all requested changes, identifying impacts to the project and validating approval change requests.
• Champion the completion of clear and accurate manuals, leaflets, and technical marketing support information for assigned products and accessories. Develop draft manuals and leaflets with technical writer(s), review drafts and make necessary amendments and submit for approval. Take necessary actions to validate the accuracy of information in manuals.
• Maintain current product line‑up. Champion change notices that improve on product robustness and correct quality and field issues for the first 12 months after production launch.
• Champion and facilitate the set‑up of appropriate service parts, new kits and plan all accessories, for assigned projects to be fully validated and available at product launch.
• Responsible to research and develop product‑specific knowledge of technical standards, regulatory requirements, safety and emissions requirements and ensure that the product design will meet these requirements currently and in the future.

Education & Experience

• Must have minimum three (3) year College Diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering (or equivalent). A University Degree in a relevant field would be considered an asset. Directly applicable work experience and/or skilled trade qualifications may also be considered.
• Minimum five (5) years’ demonstrated work experience in a directly related industry (i.e. design, development or manufacturing), with a minimum of three (3) years’ technical design required. Must possess knowledge and some practical experience of material and manufacturing processes. Some hands‑on mechanical or fabrication experience.
• C.E.T., P. Eng. license, or working towards, is preferred. A willingness to work toward industry‑recognised certification, where applicable.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel). Superior candidates will be proficient in Microsoft project.
• High level proficiency in 3‑D modelling software (e.g. Solidworks etc.). CSWA, (Certified Solidworks Associate), or willingness to achieve this requirement within six (6) months of the onboarding process.
• Specialised skills: Knowledge and understanding of metal fabricating and processing; proficient with all lab testing equipment; knowledge of injection moulding; understanding of market functions, needs and concepts; knowledge with load calculations, energy modelling and designing mechanical systems; knowledge of electrical and control systems; skilled in manufacturing and assembly processes; project management; possess the ability to effectively articulate equipment features, function and design; excellent organisational and time‑management skills with the ability to function in a fast‑paced multi‑functional environment where priorities change regularly.

Benefits, Health, Well‑being & Support

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage – 100% of premiums paid by the Company!
• Long Term Disability Protection
• Well‑being support programmes and virtual medical visits
• Employee & Family Assistance Programme for mental health and well‑being (EAP)

Career Growth & Development

• Training Allowance and continuous learning opportunities and programmes
• Leadership development and mentorship programmes
• Clear pathways for advancement

Culture & Community

• Appreciation events, raffles, and team building activities
• Napoleon Cares – A fund sponsored by Associates to help Associates in times of need

Financial Security

• Competitive total compensation package, inclusive of bonus opportunity
• Retirement savings plan with matching Company contributions (RRSP/DPSP)
• Exclusive Associate discounts on our award‑winning products

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

As part of our commitment to transparency and fairness in hiring, we disclose that automated tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), may be used to support parts of the recruitment process. This may include functions such as resume parsing, candidate ranking, or initial screening. These tools do not make final hiring decisions but may assist Talent Acquisition in evaluating applications. AI tools used may include systems based on algorithms, statistical models, or machine learning.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Napoleon Group of Companies is committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain Associates with disabilities. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the employment cycle. Accommodation is available upon request.