Product Development Mechanical Engineer in Dayton, Minnesota at States Manufacturing Corporation

Job Summary

Forgent is seeking a Product Development Engineer – Mechanical to lead the mechanical architecture and development of modular power infrastructure platforms. This role is responsible for designing scalable product platforms that support Forgent’s portfolio of critical power distribution equipment including switchboards, switchgear, power distribution skids, PDUs, RPPs, transformer protection skids, utility interface skids, and E-House power modules.

The engineer will focus on platform architecture, modular product design, and manufacturability, enabling standardized solutions that reduce labor hours, improve production efficiency, and accelerate deployment of power infrastructure systems.

This position requires strong collaboration with Engineering, Production, Procurement, Compliance and Quality teams to ensure designs support repeatable manufacturing and high product reliability.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Architecture & Product Development

• Develop mechanical platform architectures supporting modular critical power infrastructure systems.
• Design structural and packaging solutions for:
  • Power distribution skids, Transformer protection skids, Utility interface skids, Switchgear assemblies
  • Power distribution units (PDUs) and remote power panels (RPPs), Modular E-House power systems
  • New Product Adjacencies to the data center or renewable energy sector
• Define modular design standards enabling scalable and repeatable product configurations.
• Support development of new platform-based products that improve speed-to-market and manufacturing efficiency.

Mechanical Design & Engineering

• Develop detailed mechanical designs using SolidWorks with interfaces to AutoCAD Electrical, PLM and PDM interfaces.
• Design and optimize:
  • Structural frames and skid assemblies, Equipment Designs and Configurable Layouts, Busbar and power distribution components, Equipment mounting systems, Cable management and routing, Thermal considerations and equipment layout
  • Structural support for heavy electrical components
• Perform engineering calculations related to: Structural integrity, Seismic requirements, Equipment loading, Environmental considerations

Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

• Develop product designs that reduce manufacturing labor hours and complexity.
• Standardize mechanical assemblies and components to improve manufacturing repeatability.
• Work closely with Production teams to optimize fabrication methods including: Sheet metal design, Welded assemblies, Modular structural frames
• Identify opportunities to reduce manufacturing cost and assembly time.

Standards & Compliance

Ensure mechanical designs comply with applicable industry standards including but not limited to:

• UL 891, UL 1558, UL 508A
• NEC, IEEE
• NFPA 70 / NFPA 70E
• NEMA, ANSI

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with:

• Production teams to ensure manufacturability and assembly efficiency
• Quality teams to support product reliability and compliance
• Electrical engineering teams to integrate electrical components within mechanical platforms

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
• 5–10 years of mechanical engineering experience in industrial or power infrastructure products
• Proficiency with SolidWorks
• Experience designing fabricated metal structures and assemblies
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles
• Strong understanding of modular product design and standardization
• Ability to translate product architecture into repeatable manufacturing designs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with critical power infrastructure equipment, including: switchgear, switchboards, PDUs, E-Houses, Power distribution skids
• Experience working with UL or NEC governed equipment
• Experience with structural analysis or FEA tools
• Experience supporting manufacturing process improvements

Key Success Factors

• Strong system-level thinking
• Ability to develop modular product platforms
• Focus on manufacturing efficiency and standardization
• Collaboration with production and quality teams
• Ownership of product development initiatives

Benefits

• PTO/ESST
• Paid holidays
• $100 individual deductible and $300 family deductible health insurance
• Paid Weekly
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• 401K / Life Insurance / STD