Job Description

Product Engineer

Location: Waukegan, IL

Salary Range: $ 71,000.00 to $ 87,000.00

About SKF: 

SKF, reducing friction since 1907, re-imagining rotation for a better tomorrow!

SKF is an industry-leading manufacturer that has been a cornerstone in industrial life. Wherever there are machines or products in motion, SKF bearings are there to reduce friction. SKF drives the industries that support our way of life, powers the machines that put food on the table, and even helps explore the cosmos.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. SKF is on pace to decarbonize all its production facilities by 2030.

We’re guided by our SKF values. Collaboration is critical to the success of our colleagues, partners, and customers. Curiosity and Courage provide a foundation for innovation and advancement. And we do this work out of Care for our people, customers, communities, and the planet.

We’re a company committed to a culture of belonging, where all our people are encouraged to be themselves and grow their careers in an equitable environment.

Learn about SKF at www.skf.com.

Job Summary:

SKF works to reduce friction, noise, make things run faster, longer, cleaner and more safely. Doing this in the most effective, productive, and sustainable way has made the SKF Group a leading global supplier of products, solutions and services within rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems.

Product Development and Engineering Americas is part of the Global Technology Development (TD) organization and plays a decisive role in defining the right offers for the SKF Product value propositions. Product Development and Engineering translates market trends and customer needs into new, long term and sustainable solutions, by defining, developing and maintaining the product technical data and ensuring the up to date product technical knowledge is used to bring value to SKF customers and employees.

Product Engineering supports the daily business with technical product expertise and finished product level specifications. Our team has many vital responsibilities that enable new products and variants to end up at the customer. We enable smooth handling of product requests from the customers by providing specifications, product data and new solutions.

Your day-to-day work:

• Accelerate the development of the Global Agriculture PD&E team located in NAM and provide training and support to help increase their capabilities.
• Drive the AGRI PL product development activities, according to the Product Development Process (PDP), including technical feasibility study, design and verification, validation, and handover.
• Provide On the job training for the Americas PDE team so that they can learn and support the current China PD&E / SXC design process.
• Support the regionalization of Agri Bearings and their outsourced processes and components (Seals, Steel, Turning, Forging, etc) within the Americas Region.
• Accelerate the digitalization of Agri PL designs using SKF Tools and Processes
• Participate in/support Product Development in crucial NIC and ASO Projects with e.g. prototype drawings and industrializing project results.
• Facilitate improvements to reduce the number of days needed to complete the design process as measured in the NIC process.
• Plan, drive, execute and report product design requests and engineering tasks with priority to support the TD and Americas region strategies.
• Use and maintain design tools for parametric design of bearing variants and design automation.
• Support the Full Value Chain globally by creating and optimizing design rules and product design specifications.
• Develop & maintain bearing 3D CAD models for design verification and creation of finished drawings.
• Support Sales/AE with product expertise in crucial customer complain cases and deviation handling.
• Drive/support product performance benchmarking activities and supply stakeholders with relevant information
• Use Innovation and Creative Problem solving to find solutions to customer needs.
• Consider and mitigate various aspects of risk when designing product.
• Drive internal cost reductions (ICR) and engineering change implementations on design and specification level.
• Assure consistent manufacturability and robustness of product, to fit application specific requirements.
• Assure effective alignment with process development and manufacturing capabilities (present and future)

We expect you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Strong understanding of the industrial distribution market and its dynamics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel up to 15% or as needed.
• A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering and 2 years experience in product development, project engineering or similar R&D environment.
• Broad technical understanding and interest
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing and testing
• Ability to build and maintain sustainable relationships with internal customers and stakeholders, aiming at maximization of the SKF results.
• Good communication skill and good knowledge of English, both verbally and in writing
• Tools requirements:
• CREO/Solid Works - have good knowledge about parametric design and generic models
• Simulation, Modeling, and Calculation tools
• Microsoft tools: Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• PDM Link knowledge
• SKF internal standards and databases on product specification
• Experience and exposure to project management
• Proficiency in using one or more of conventional simulation software such as Abaqus and Ansys is preferred.
• Travelling is expected both nationally and internationally

The person we are looking for is self-motivated with a high level of drive and commitment.

A team player interested in learning and sharing competencies with others.

Personal Profile

• Well-structured and self-motivated with a high level of own drive and commitment
• Pro-active and open-minded team player, eager to learn and share competencies
• Ability to understand stakeholder needs and transform those into feasible and robust solutions
• Willingness and ability to travel, and potentially work abroad on shorter assignments

We offer

• A challenging job with international contacts and possibilities for professional growth.
• You will be a part of a diverse workforce where you get to face exciting challenges and varied tasks
• You will enjoy supportive colleagues and a secure organizational structure.

What You’ll Love About SKF:

Rest and Relaxation. Enjoy a generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.

Work/Life Integration. SKF supports work/life integration, home, family, community, personal well-being and health. 

Diversity in the Workplace.  At SKF, we strive to embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do. By developing a culture of belonging, our people can flourish; leading to an inclusive, equitable environment that promotes leadership, engagement and innovation. 

Best in Class Benefits. SKF cares about the wellbeing of our employees. Comprehensive healthcare options to fit your needs and opt out payment. Added benefits include company paid life insurance, STD, LTD. Supplemental benefits include critical illness coverage, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs, and much more! 

Bonus. SKF offers STVS (Short Term Variable Salary) or Sales Incentive based on company performance and at the discretion of management.

Invest in your Future. Participate in our 401K program that boasts a 10% employer contribution: 100% match up to 5% of your elected contribution (100% Vested) plus an additional 5% company contribution.