A U.S.-based manufacturer of engineered fastening products backed by a global industrial organization, is seeking a Product Development Engineer - Fasteners to join their onsite team in Little Rock, Arkansas. This hands-on role offers significant ownership over new product development, tooling, manufacturing improvements, and product qualification in a lean environment with limited bureaucracy and direct access to decision-makers.
What You'll Do as the Product Development Engineer - Fasteners:
- Lead new product development projects from initial concept through production launch
- Design and modify fastening products using SolidWorks, CAD, CATIA, or similar 3D modeling software
- Create and revise engineering drawings, product specifications, and manufacturing documentation
- Develop tooling, fixtures, replacement components, and equipment improvements
- Support maintenance teams by designing machine parts and tooling needed to keep production running
- Manage private-label product launches, including tooling, packaging, labeling, testing, and production implementation
- Evaluate product designs for manufacturability, cost, quality, and production feasibility
- Develop testing procedures and oversee product validation and qualification
- Ensure products meet applicable ICC, FM, customer, and internal quality requirements
- Coordinate with domestic and international suppliers
- Work directly with customers on product specifications, technical requirements, and launch needs
- Partner with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and leadership teams
- Support continuous improvement projects across the facility
- Analyze manufacturing costs and recommend process or design improvements
- Manage multiple engineering projects while meeting deadlines, budgets, and quality expectations
- Troubleshoot product, tooling, and manufacturing issues
- Help shape future engineering processes, priorities, and department capabilities
Must-Haves as the Product Development Engineer - Fasteners:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience in metal manufacturing, steel products, fasteners, or a comparable industrial manufacturing environment
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Experience managing engineering projects from concept through production
- Ability to read, create, and revise engineering drawings
- Experience with 3D CAD or product design software
- Strong problem-solving and project management skills
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision
- Ability to manage multiple technical priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Willingness to work onsite in Lonoke
- Ability to relocate to the area, with relocation assistance available
Nice-to-Haves as the Product Development Engineer - Fasteners:
- Fastener manufacturing experience
- Concrete anchor product experience
- Cold heading experience
- Metal forming experience
- Stamping experience
- CNC machining experience
- Tooling or fixture design experience
- SolidWorks experience
- CATIA experience
- Product validation and testing experience
- Quality systems experience
- ICC compliance knowledge
- FM compliance knowledge
- Vendor management experience
- Manufacturing process improvement experience
- New Product Introduction experience
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience
- Experience supporting private-label products
- Experience working with international suppliers or customers
The Company Offers:
- Base salary of $110,000-$150,000 or more, depending on experience
- Consideration above the stated range for exceptional candidates
- Relocation assistance
- Spot bonus opportunities
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) plan
- Paid time off
- Flexible work environment
- Limited work-from-home flexibility when appropriate
- High level of engineering autonomy
- Significant decision-making responsibility
- Minimal corporate bureaucracy
- Direct impact on product strategy and manufacturing operations
- Small, collaborative engineering team
- Backing from a global industrial organization
- Strong company culture and employee tenure
- Long-term career growth opportunity