Herman Miller Looking for Innovation Engineer at Holland, MI Full Time

Why join us?

Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

About this Opportunity

Applies standard engineering principles, concepts, theories, and techniques to assignments in support of business objectives. Will be responsible for providing fundamental engineering leadership and expertise. May conduct feasibility studies, determine manpower and cost estimates and develop engineering criteria. Performs primary analyses to develop design options or recommendations for structures, systems and components. May apply originality, ingenuity and knowledge of other disciplines in solving basic technical issues. Emphasis will be placed on team participation, ability to plan, and ability to achieve results on assigned projects.

What You’ll Do

• Applies basic supply chain cost, value stream capabilities and economic principles.
• Applies learned engineering skills to work assignments.
• Applies problem solving skills and executes solutions to problems independently.
• Coaches basic engineering tasks to others.
• Completes engineering tasks within oversight of leadership.
• Follows engineering and quality processes.
• Performs additional responsiblities as requested to achieve business objectives.
• Seeks and receives mentoring from senior level and engineering leadership.
• Seeks approval of budget owner using appropriate request process.
• Takes good notes; showing work and assumptions.
• Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

Additional Responsibilities

• Research, investigate and understand product criteria, functions, requirements and cost targets (customer criteria, performance requirements, build objectives, manufacturability, assembly, quality, craftsmanship, service, installation).
• Collaborate with industrial designers to understand and implement the design vision and design objectives of products.
• Investigate and consider multiple solution alternatives for problems and concepts. Present solutions by evaluating the alternatives and tradeoffs, eliminating the weak alternatives, and improving the feasible alternatives.
• Collaborate and communicate with project team members, other engineers, external experts and industrial designers to share ideas and offer suggestions.
• Investigate new or existing suppliers, materials and manufacturing processes that could provide solutions.
• Complete sketches, models, detailed engineering analysis’ and studies that support the development of new parts and products; specific tools include FEA, tolerance stacks, FBD’s, kinematics, hand calculations, logic flow charts, state diagrams.
• Develop and specify appropriate prototype fabrication processes and materials; coordinate the build of prototype products and the fabrication of prototype parts.
• Evaluate and test concept models and prototypes against the project objectives, criteria and requirements.
• Identify potential problems on new products and concepts, and develop good corrective actions by following a rigorous problem solving process.
• Solicit cost estimates for prototype and production parts.
• Communicate clear, concise, accurate and detailed engineering documentation (ECO’s, deviations, test requests, work orders, model shop requests, drawings, instructions, e-mails, etc.).
• Work directly with Performance Engineering to develop Performance Requirements and test plans; request or perform physical testing on parts and products then evaluate test results.
• Create, maintain and release accurate 3D CAD models, drawings, service parts, instruction sheets, gerber files, schematics, ECO’s, BOM’s and material specifications for prototype products and production products.
• Support the development of planning guides, CSI, tech specs, product labeling and marketing materials.
• Support the completion of PPAP and assure parts are properly released for production following HMI procedures.
• Work directly with manufacturing engineering, supply management, operations and suppliers to refine product designs to optimize tooling and equipment; manufacturing processes, assembly and reliability; assist with evaluating potential part suppliers and tooling suppliers.
• Work directly with Quality Engineering, Dimensional Engineers and suppliers to refine product designs to achieve quality and craftsmanship objectives.
• Support operations and suppliers with problem identification, problem solving and operator training during pilot builds and launch activities.
• Manage individual task work to meet project team objectives for budget and timing.
• Regularly review part and product designs with development team members, managers, designers and suppliers to solicit their feedback and suggestions for improvements.
• Maintain engineering notes, models, records, calculations and analysis’ that demonstrate the progression of the product designs and review with lead engineers.
• Complete patent disclosures and Right to Use (RTU) with HMI legal staff.
• Support new patent applications with HMI legal staff when appropriate.
• Support other project team members and project activities that require input and task work from the product development engineer: project schedules, project budgets, CMF development, prototype builds, PR’s, testing, supplier communications.

Sound Like You?

You might just be who we are looking for if you have…

• Engineering/Technical degree from and accredited program or 2-year technical degree in related field with 5 years of applicable engineering experience.
• 2-4 years of professional engineering experience or 0-3 years or specialty engineering experience, applicable internship/co-op experience, and experience with participating and leading projects.
• Project management experience may be essential for some assignments.
• Knowledgeable in Lean principles and application.
• Must be able to assess process concepts and to determine where continuous improvement opportunities exist.
• Knowledge in materials science, textiles and circular knitting would be a benefit.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people at various levels including production, engineering and management and to be able to work well with and develop a partnering relationship with other team members.
• Knowledgeable in the use of common office automation, communication, software and tools, Herman Miller mainframe applications and engineering related software.
• Must be a skilled problem solver and be able to apply engineering expertise to problem solving.
• Must be able to assess priorities and determine course of action with minimal day-to-day supervision and be able to anticipate, recognize and respond effectively to changes which affect project plans.
• Must have an overall business sense and understand how decisions impact business results.

Our Values

Our values speak to our shared beliefs. They describe how we live our purpose through the way we lead, the way we see one another, and the way we approach our work.

We are difference-makers reflects our commitments to creating places that matter, to being a good neighbor in our communities, and to using business as a force for good.

We are all extraordinary is our statement about the worth of individuals and our commitment to help everyone reach their full potential.

We are better together demonstrates how challenging one another, making room for everyone, and working and winning as one makes us stronger.

Who We Hire

Simply put, we hire everyone. MillerKnoll is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire everyone. MillerKnoll is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.