Sr. R&D Saddle Engineer

Are you ready to combine your passion for an active lifestyle with a meaningful and multifaceted career in the cycling industry? At Specialized, our teammates are encouraged to explore roles in a variety of functions throughout their careers. We value curiosity, a desire to try new things, and an eagerness to learn about all aspects of the business. No matter where you begin with the company, you get to decide where you want to go whether it’s marketing, finance, product development, sales, or an international assignment. Join us in making the world a better place through the power of bicycles and build your dream career at the same time!

About Us: 
At Specialized, we're at the forefront of innovation in the cycling industry. Our commitment to enhancing the cycling experience extends to developing the next revolution in cycling ergonomics. We invite you to be a part of this journey and shape the future of cycling ergonomics! 

Role Overview: 
We're seeking a Senior R&D Saddle Engineer with knowledge in additive manufacturing especially with expertise in lattice design, density considerations, and their translation to objective and subjective data captured from human subject testing.  Beyond a focus on additive manufacturing, this individual will be the technical leader of saddle R&D and will have a direct effect on all projects the team is working on from advanced R&D projects to projects in the final stages of commercialization. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Supporting the company's design and development process to ensure correct integration of new concepts, through to production realization.
• Supporting early supplier discussions, ensuring correct engagement for feasibility and program delivery.
• Supporting the development of best practice design and acting as a champion for good, efficient, fundamental engineering design.
• Prototyping: Take concepts from sketches into testable prototypes. Explore new materials, processes, and technologies.
• Coordination with factories: Communicate with factories regarding product development, project tracking and tooling changes. Work with factory to ensure accuracy prior to production tooling.
• On-time delivery: Own your part of the process and deliver quality work on time. Keep a close eye on multiple projects, tracking at different launch seasons.
• Coordinate and lead 3D prototyping: Work with industry-leading technology to take 3D models, to 3D printed products. Print, setup and test parts during research and development process.
• Development to production: Work through technical challenges that arise in commercialization. Work closely with the factory to find innovative and effective solutions to get product to market on time.
• Provide R&D and testing of components.
• Ensure product success by managing specs of new development, establishing SOP’s.
• Manage development projects from concept through production – including the design and engineering, prototyping, testing and verification, production tooling, documentation, and QA/QC.
• Project Management responsibility. Manage multiple development projects simultaneously – create and maintain project timelines to assure on-time delivery of finished products, maintain tracking documents and report on progress as needed.
• Provide guidance and direction to suppliers - facilitating the development and initial production to assure on time delivery of new products.
• Participate in brainstorming and idea generation, create sketches, models, and drawings to demonstrate ideas and concepts.
• Design prototypes and models to demonstrate designs and mechanical features or concepts. Test and evaluate models and prototypes for performance and practicality in manufacturing.
• Determine 3D printed lattice specifications based on project goals. Design and validate lattice performance utilizing human subjects and universal testing systems.    

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field. 
• Minimum of 8+ years of relevant experience in product design, with a significant focus on 3D printing and lattice designs. 
• Proficient Knowledge of Additive manufacturing – Lattice design, materials, printing technologies
• Proficient knowledge of software tools related to 3D print lattice design and simulation.
• Proficient in the use of universal testing systems like Instron
• Proficient in the use of Rhino 3D and Grasshoppper
• Demonstrated experience in biomechanics, and physiology.  Bonus points if experience is cycling-based.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.
• Excellent communication skills