Senior Design Engineer
2pm talentMinneapolis (MN)
About the role
Senior Design Engineer | Retail Environments & Fixtures
Location: Remote – USA
Industry: Retail Design & Build | Retail Fixtures | Branded Environments
About the Opportunity2PM Talent is partnering with an established design-build business specialising in the development and delivery of high-quality retail environments, custom fixtures, branded spaces and experiential installations. We're looking for an experienced Senior Design Engineer who combines strong technical engineering expertise with a practical understanding of manufacturing, fabrication and production. This is an opportunity to work on complex, bespoke projects for leading brands, collaborating with industrial designers, project managers and manufacturing partners to turn ambitious design concepts into fully engineered, production-ready solutions. The successful candidate will take ownership of technically challenging projects, ensuring designs are functional, commercially viable and suitable for manufacturing without compromising the original creative vision. This is not simply a CAD or drafting position. We're looking for an experienced engineer who understands how products are built, can anticipate manufacturing challenges and confidently develop solutions from concept through production.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the technical engineering of custom retail fixtures, displays, millwork and branded environments.
Develop detailed 3D models, manufacturing drawings, shop drawings, bills of materials (BOMs) and production documentation.
Translate creative design concepts into practical, cost-effective and manufacturable solutions.
Work closely with industrial designers, project managers and production teams to maintain design intent throughout the engineering process.
Evaluate materials, manufacturing methods, structural requirements, tolerances and assembly processes.
Liaise directly with domestic and international manufacturing partners to resolve technical challenges.
Review prototypes, samples and pre-production designs to identify improvements before manufacturing.
Provide technical support throughout fabrication, production and installation.
Identify opportunities to improve product quality, reduce manufacturing complexity and optimise costs.
Support and advise other engineers on complex technical and manufacturing challenges.
Manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously, maintaining accuracy and delivery deadlines.
Experience & Qualifications:
- We're particularly interested in engineers who have developed their careers within retail fixtures, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, custom millwork, furniture, retail environments or related design-build manufacturing sectors.
- Essential Experience:8+ years of relevant design engineering or product engineering experience.
- Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including complex assemblies and production-ready technical drawings.
- Strong experience engineering products manufactured from wood, metal, sheet metal, plastics and welded assemblies.
- Extensive understanding of fabrication methods, manufacturing processes, material selection and production tolerances.
- Proven experience independently managing complex engineering projects from design development through to manufacturing.
- Experience preparing detailed shop drawings, bills of materials and technical manufacturing documentation.
- Ability to identify and resolve engineering challenges before they impact production.
- Strong communication skills and the confidence to work directly with designers, project managers and manufacturing partners.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Highly Desirable:
- Direct experience engineering permanent retail fixtures, branded environments, custom displays or architectural millwork.
- Experience working with both US-based and overseas manufacturing partners.
- Understanding of retail installation requirements and the practical challenges of large-scale rollouts.
- Experience reviewing prototypes and supporting production teams through manufacturing.
- Ability to provide technical guidance and support to less experienced engineers.
The Ideal Candidate:
You'll be an experienced, hands-on engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems and understands the relationship between design, engineering and manufacturing.
You'll be comfortable taking ownership of complex projects, making independent technical decisions and working collaboratively with creative and operational teams.
Importantly, you'll understand that successful engineering goes beyond producing accurate drawings. It requires anticipating challenges, understanding fabrication processes and ensuring that the finished product can be manufactured, assembled and installed efficiently.
We're looking for someone who can balance creativity with commercial and manufacturing realities.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Work on complex, high-quality retail environments, fixtures and branded installations.
Join a collaborative design-build business where engineering plays a central role in project development.
Influence projects from the early design stages through to final manufacturing and installation.
Work alongside experienced designers, project managers and manufacturing specialists.
Enjoy a remote working arrangement, with opportunities to contribute to projects for leading brands.
Take ownership of technically challenging work with genuine scope to influence engineering decisions and production outcomes.
Location:
This is a remote position within the United States. Preference will be given to candidates based in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Florida, Massachusetts or Michigan, although exceptional applicants from other states will also be considered.
How to Apply:
If you have a strong background in design engineering, retail fixtures, custom fabrication or branded environments, we'd welcome a conversation.
Please apply with an up-to-date resume and, where possible, examples of relevant engineering work, including SolidWorks models, manufacturing drawings, shop drawings or completed projects.
All applications will be handled confidentially by 2PM Talent.
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