Product Engineer

Product Engineer position onsite in Wausau, WI for Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork, responsible for the design, development, validation, and lifecycle support of residential window and door products; salary USD 78,000 - 90,000 per year; requires a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field and a minimum of 3 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop residential window and door systems and their components and options, including frames, sashes, glazing systems, hardware, and screens.
• Translate architectural requirements, building codes, and customer expectations into engineered product solutions.
• Support new product development from concept to commercialization, including prototypes, testing, and pilot production.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation such as drawings, BOMs, product specifications, and assembly instructions.
• Ensure products meet or exceed performance standards including structural, air and water, thermal, and durability requirements.
• Support certification, testing, and validation activities to align with standards such as AAMA, NFRC, ASTM, or equivalents.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize designs for fabrication, glazing, and assembly processes.
• Lead or support root cause analysis and corrective actions addressing quality issues, field claims, or production challenges.
• Manage engineering change requests and product updates across the product lifecycle.
• Support suppliers by defining technical requirements, reviewing drawings, and resolving component issues.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and FMEA activities.
• Contribute to cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 3–7 years of product engineering or product development experience, preferably in building products or durable goods.
• Strong understanding of materials and manufacturing processes used in window and door systems, including vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, wood, and wood composites.
• Experience with 3D CAD software such as Inventor, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar.
• Ability to interpret and create detailed engineering drawings, tolerances, and specifications.
• Experience supporting products in a production manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and manage multiple priorities.

Technologies

• Inventor
• SolidWorks
• Creo
• ERP/PLM systems

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the residential fenestration industry (windows, doors, skylights, or related products).
• Familiarity with industry standards and certifications (AAMA, NFRC, ASTM, ICC, ENERGY STAR).
• Knowledge of glass systems, IG units, coatings, and glazing performance.
• Experience with structural, thermal, and performance testing and validation.
• Familiarity with extrusion design, tooling, and profile optimization.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems.
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Combination of office, lab, and manufacturing floor work.
• Minimal (< 5%) travel to suppliers, test labs, or initial product installations may be required.
• Ability to support hands-on prototype builds and production trials.