Senior Mechanical Engineer, Innovation
US, Washington, Seattle
Footwear – Footwear Research & Development /
Full Time /
On-site
Who We Are:
At Brooks, we believe a run can change a day, a life, the world. Everyone who works here is a key part of our obsession to make the best running gear on the planet. We want our business — which also happens to be our passion — to be a place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable being themselves. Our company culture defines us, bonds us together, and drives our success. We live this culture daily through our brand values: Runner First, Word is Bond, Champion Heart, There is no “I” in Run, and Keep Moving. This means we always solve for the runner, do what we say we will, give it our all, are generous with our humanity, and find a way to keep moving every day, because joy is kinetic.
Are you ready to help create something extraordinary?
Your Job:
The Brooks Innovation Group is a team of world-class minds collectively focused on improving the performance running experience through product, experiential and biomechanical innovation. They constantly challenge assumptions of how products are made and together they shape the future of running footwear. They stretch the limits of science and human performance with every innovation and are relentlessly focused on changes that benefit the Brooks runner. They pioneer relationships with manufacturing partners and suppliers, uncovering new partnerships with global industry leaders to create innovations and bring new Brooks innovations to life. The team operates across the full range of product creation, merchandising, brand strategy, sourcing, and new business development to relentlessly pursue methods to make better-performing, higher-quality and sustainable products faster and more efficiently than ever before.
As our Senior Mechanical Engineer, Innovation, you will be a key technical leader in the Footwear Innovation Team to drive execution of complex research, prototype, and design projects for advanced manufacturing and work towards a virtual validation processes that will drive the future of Brooks Running. The initial focus will be on partnering with the Run Research Team to create innovative test methodologies to enable more rapid iterations of prototype materials and bottom platform designs and eventually define the future of material testing and validation at Brooks. This future includes building out a system for virtual modeling and validation (FEA/PCA) with external partners.
You will work with global, cross-functional product creation teams from the collection of insights through material confirmation to create product performance-focused solutions that deliver new running experiences and exceed runner expectations. You will manage your work to achieve project timelines through the advanced R&D process to deliver ready for in-line product and technologies. You will work with strategic partners outside of Brooks to cultivate new ideas and deliver data-driven technologies that challenge and shape the future of running.
Responsibilities:
- Execute the innovation mechanical engineering role by delivering on Brooks’ Fit, Feel, Ride, and Crafted Beauty principles on multiple, concurrent projects via an unwavering dedication to always deliver excellence
- Provide leadership to Innovation, Research, and Inline teams to uncover new ways that innovative materials can be tested and validated while also meeting project goals and performance, sustainability, cost, and quality objectives.
- Demonstrate and articulate the benefits of the new material testing program with key stakeholders including the Innovation Lead Triad, Run Research Team, Inline Teams, and our global factor partners to gain buy-in on the adoption of new methodologies and processes.
- Drive the adoption, implementation, and proliferation of the testing program.
- Lead the creation of new mechanical testing protocols to evaluate future concept materials and technologies that connect to improved runner experiences
- Ensure product performance integrity by working with Product Validation teams to determine testing needs/criteria, explore new test methods, understand results, and make decisions based on learnings.
- Identify and partner with vendors, factories, and the Sourcing team to discover and advance new materials and processes which enhance the overall performance of product.
- Identify, recommend, and specify to project team the materials that will ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).
- Own project management role for multiple complex projects
- Plan and execute projects according to project critical dates that lead to on-time delivery of project goals
- Lead and ensure good communication between core innovation team members, subject matter experts, external partners, and leadership
- Initiate and lead meetings with project teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on-time project delivery and cost goals
- Understand when to bring in additional support to continue to drive product decisions forward
- Lead the creation and implementation of new material methodologies that will deliver state-of-the-art technologies and processes complete with best practices and technology transfer documentation to facilitate seamless transitions into the in-line process.
- Employ simulation and modeling solutions to enhance our product designs, technologies, processes, and materials.
- Apply engineering principles to predictably calculate the benefits to the consumer before committing resources to prototype builds.
- Apply FEA principles and systems to model material properties and its influence on runner perception.
- Display an in-depth knowledge of the 2D/3D CAD tools and process with the ability to explain and manipulate the process to advance and enhance the overall performance and efficiency of product.
- Identify opportunities to streamline or improve current operations and create, implement, and communicate new processes and techniques to the cross-functional teams
- Recommend and specify software, hardware, and testing methods to help validate the designed computational solutions.
- Assist and guide the biomechanics and design teams to build sound solutions that enhance the speed at which we test and prove ideas.
- Contribute to the product creative process so that material modeling becomes a validation point within the innovation development process so that new ideas can be challenged and formulated through scientific reasoning.
- Lead and manage relationships with external partners conducting predictive modeling work and possess the ability to implement practical application of research findings.
- Provide engineering solutions that complement design, biomechanics, and production requirements.
- Employ simulation and modeling solutions to enhance our product designs, technologies, process, and materials.
- Keep up to date on engineering technologies and be innovative in their application.
- Display an expert understanding of the manufacturing process with the ability to modify the process to advance and achieve new materials techniques that improve the overall performance of product.
- Anticipate downstream effects of decisions as they relate to product and project management. Be proactive in solutions to mitigate delays.
- Act as an expert resource for other Footwear Team members with an aptitude for coaching and mentoring.
- Continuous learning of Brooks Fit, Feel & Ride manufacturing best practices.
- Create and build a knowledge base and stay informed about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing, and lead times.
- Build collaborative relationships with inline colleagues.
- Provide mentoring assistance to the innovation team members on mechanical design engineering.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or other applicable technical degree.
- 7+ successful years relevant work experience in 3D CAD design and modeling;
- 5+ years in product development of high-performance footwear is a major plus
- Demonstrated ability to creatively apply engineering principles and theories to solve new technical problems.
- Technical expertise in 2D/3D with an advanced knowledge of computational and simulation engineering software.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, and problem-solving with timely resolution.
- Understanding of the validation process from modeling to lab, fit, wear, and biomechanical testing and specification concepts and processes.
- Proven ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group to meet strategic objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
- Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks (self and through others).
- Curious and open-minded; always open to a challenge, inventive, creative. With the ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details.
- Strong computer skills including experience with Rhino, Solid Works, Altair, and MS Office software.
- Proven ability to lead and influence in collaborative, team-oriented, and complex global environments.
- Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities is a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
- Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
Compensation:
The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $121,798 - $182,749 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Other:
Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!
Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.
Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.
Bonus- in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
Perks- including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.
Location- You will spend 3 to 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, depending on your role, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.
At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), honorable discharge or military status, protected citizen status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained guide dog by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.
