Design Engineer Lamp Plant

Design Engineer- Lamp Plant

Position Summary

The Design Engineer – Lamp Plant is responsible for designing, developing, and refining both new and existing products from concept through production. This role combines creativity with sound engineering principles and requires close collaboration with cross‑functional teams to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective designs that achieve optimal performance, customer satisfaction, and product profitability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design new products and maintain, improve, and redesign existing and mature product lines, with full ownership of assigned product lines.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including 3D models, engineering drawings, engineering test specifications (ETS), engineering calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
• Ensure designs comply with applicable domestic and international regulations, including but not limited to U.S. DOT, ASME, ASTM, SAE, UL, ADR, EN, and SANS.
• Maintain awareness of product liability and risk management, taking a proactive approach to minimizing risk associated with product design, documentation, and communication.
• Provide technical support to Customer Service and Sales, including direct customer communication as needed.
• Conduct product performance, compliance, and reliability testing; analyze results to ensure specifications and requirements are met.
• Apply sound economic principles and cost analysis to support cost‑effective design decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform factory cost analysis and collaborate with Purchasing, Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, and Accounting to support pricing and cost reduction efforts.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations, including new product introductions, customer reviews, and phase‑gate meetings.
• Gain hands‑on product knowledge through assembly and disassembly to support troubleshooting and collaboration with production teams.
• Build working knowledge of machining, welding, forming, and finishing processes, and collaborate closely with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure alignment between design and manufacturing methods.
• Develop and maintain catalogs, website content, maintenance manuals, and technical bulletins.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and suppliers to ensure purchased components meet design, quality, and cost requirements.
• Support quality initiatives including non‑conforming product reviews, root cause analysis, corrective actions, customer complaints, rework, and returns.
• Maintain product‑related data in the ERP system, including BOMs, RMA records, development documentation, and inventory records.
• Follow all ISO procedures and requirements.
• Assist with managing CAD systems and software.
• Support long‑term product development planning and market research activities in collaboration with engineering leadership and Sales.
• Assist with training and mentoring team members as needed.
• May serve as a designee for the Lamp Engineering Manager.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Three to five years of relevant engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to generate creative, practical design solutions and respond constructively to feedback.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills across functional teams.
• Customer‑focused mindset with responsiveness to technical inquiries and support needs.
• Dependability, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software, MS Office applications, and ERP systems.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office‑based with regular interaction in manufacturing environments.
• Frequent use of office and computer equipment.
• Ability to walk, stand, reach, and perform fine motor tasks.
• Frequent lifting up to 10 pounds and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts; work environment is generally quiet.

Travel

Occasional travel is required, typically one to two trips per year, with additional travel as needed for customer visits, supplier meetings, training, or trade shows.

About Betts Industries

Betts Industries is a leading manufacturer of products for the commercial transportation industry. We are committed to quality, continuous improvement, and delivering value to our customers. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful engineering work while supporting the ongoing success of our organization.