New Product Development (NPD) Engineer - Lawn & Garden Division Ohio Steel Industries, Inc. - 3.1 Columbus, OH Job Details Full-time 13 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Product design project leadership Project development phase management Teamwork New product introduction engineering projects Project engineering 3D modeling software Mechanical fabrication Sheet metal fabrication 3D modeling for product design Manufacturing facility experience Design engineering Leading team collaboration initiatives Product strategy Welding Cross-functional team management Manufacturing company experience Cross-functional communication Full Job Description Position Overview Ohio Steel Industries is seeking a highly motivated New Product Development (NPD) Engineer to play a central role in executing the company's evolving product innovation strategy. This position goes beyond traditional product design and focuses on delivering next-generation lawn and garden solutions that drive growth, differentiation, and long-term competitiveness. The NPD Lawn and Garden Engineer will serve as a technical leader and innovation driver, translating Ohio Steel's 3-Year Product Strategy into commercially successful products. The role combines hands-on engineering, product architecture development, and cross-functional leadership to accelerate innovation across existing and new product platforms. This position is ideal for an engineer who thrives in a fast-moving environment and wants direct influence on product direction, technology adoption, and market expansion.

Primary Responsibilities:

New Product Development Leadership Lead engineering development of new lawn and garden products from concept generation through production launch. Translate strategic product roadmap initiatives into executable engineering plans. Develop product concepts that deliver competitive differentiation and customer value. Through new product development assist company in growing sales, profitability, and ensuring ROI on resources applied in NPD efforts. Concept & Innovation Engineering Working with sales and business development, generate and evaluate new product concepts based on market trends, customer feedback, and competitive analysis. Build prototypes and proof-of-concept designs to validate feasibility. Collaborate with sales and business development teams to define product requirements and target specifications. Participate in ideation sessions supporting long-term product platform development. Cross-Functional Project Execution Serve as engineering lead within cross-functional NPD teams for the lawn and garden products division. Coordinate activities between design, manufacturing, sourcing, quality, and external suppliers. Manage engineering timelines aligned with product launch schedules. Support business case development through cost modeling and technical feasibility analysis. Design for Manufacturing & Cost Optimization Ensure new products are optimized for manufacturability, durability, and cost targets. Work closely with manufacturing teams on tooling, fabrication methods, and assembly processes. Identify opportunities for platform commonality and component standardization. Testing, Validation & Launch Support Develop validation plans to ensure products meet performance and durability requirements. Oversee prototype testing and field validation programs. Support pilot builds and production ramp-up activities. Provide technical support during product launch and early production phases. Support supplier selection and technical development with domestic and international vendors. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline. Experience in lawn & garden, outdoor power equipment (OPE), agricultural equipment, or consumer durable goods. 5+ years of product development or mechanical design experience. Demonstrated experience leading new product development projects from concept to launch. Proficiency in 3D CAD design (SolidWorks or equivalent). Strong understanding of fabrication processes including welding, sheet metal, stamping, and assemblies. Experience working cross-functionally in a manufacturing environment. Key Competencies Innovation mindset with practical engineering execution Strong problem-solving and analytical skills Ability to balance creativity with manufacturability and cost Excellent communication and collaboration skills Self-starter comfortable working in a fast-moving development environment Success Metrics (First 24-36 Months) Successful launch of new products aligned with 3-Year Product Strategy roadmap. Reduction in development cycle time through improved NPD processes. Delivery of differentiated products that expand Ohio Steel's market presence. Achievement of target cost, quality, and performance objectives at launch. Work Environment Combination of office, prototype shop, manufacturing floor, and outdoor testing environments. Hands-on prototype development and field validation required. Occasional travel to suppliers, customers, and industry trade events. Why Join Ohio Steel Direct influence on the future lawn and garden product portfolio and innovation strategy. Opportunity to help transition traditional lawn & garden equipment into next-generation solutions. Collaborative, entrepreneurial engineering culture with visible impact.

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person