Product Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: Product Designer
Company: Price Industries Limited
Location: Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / Engineering
Date Posted: 2026-09-09T04:00:00
Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
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Design and test HVAC equipment and systems, leveraging SolidWorks and other engineering software to drive product innovation and efficiency.
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Conduct rigorous calculations, simulations, and analyses to optimize system performance, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability.
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Develop comprehensive technical documentation, including drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and manufacturing instructions, to ensure seamless production.
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Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, engineering, design teams, contractors, and clients to guarantee successful project outcomes and client satisfaction.
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Proactively troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges within HVAC systems, ensuring operational integrity and client support.
π Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities and requirements strongly indicate a role focused on Mechanical Engineering Design within the HVAC product development lifecycle. This is a common distinction in manufacturing environments where design and engineering are closely intertwined. The "Product Designer" title might reflect a focus on the tangible output and user experience of the engineered product.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Design and rigorously test HVAC equipment and systems using industry-standard software, primarily SolidWorks, ensuring adherence to performance specifications and quality standards.
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Execute detailed calculations, conduct advanced simulations, and perform comprehensive analyses to enhance system performance metrics, energy efficiency, cost optimization, and overall manufacturability of HVAC products.
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Prepare and manage all necessary technical documentation, including detailed drawings, precise specifications, accurate bills of materials (BOMs), and clear manufacturing documentation required for HVAC projects.
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Actively collaborate with internal manufacturing departments, fellow engineers, designers, external contractors, and end clients to ensure the successful and timely delivery of HVAC projects, managing stakeholder expectations.
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Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex technical issues that arise with HVAC systems throughout their lifecycle, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining product integrity.
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Provide responsive and professional service support to existing clients, addressing inquiries, feedback, and technical concerns with a solutions-oriented approach.
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Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends, technological advancements, and best practices within the HVAC industry and broader engineering fields.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a hands-on role involving both design and problem-solving, requiring a blend of technical design skills and client-facing support. The emphasis on "optimizing system performance, efficiency, cost, and manufacturability" highlights a strong focus on GTM enablement through efficient product design and cost-effective production.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelorβs degree in Mechanical Engineering or completion of a Mechanical Engineering Technology program.
Experience: A minimum of 1 to 2 years of professional experience in a relevant design or engineering role.
Required Skills:
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Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling, drafting, and simulation.
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Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and manufacturing processes, particularly related to sheet metal fabrication.
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Solid grasp of mechanical engineering principles, relevant codes, standards, and testing methodologies for HVAC systems.
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Demonstrated ability to perform calculations, simulations, and analyses to optimize product performance and efficiency.
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, fostering a collaborative and team-oriented work environment.
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Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive and analytical approach to identifying and resolving technical challenges.
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Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment.
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Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development within the engineering field. Preferred Skills:
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Familiarity with electrical and controls systems relevant to HVAC applications.
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Previous experience with sheet metal manufacturing processes.
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Experience utilizing MRP (Material Requirements Planning) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
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Prior manufacturing experience.
π Enhancement Note: The required experience level of 1-2 years positions this as an entry-level role, suitable for recent graduates or those early in their engineering careers. The emphasis on SolidWorks and mechanical design principles is critical. The inclusion of "MRP or ERP systems" as a preferred skill suggests the company values individuals who understand broader manufacturing operations and supply chain integration, a key aspect of GTM efficiency.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Demonstrated examples of HVAC equipment or system designs, showcasing proficiency in SolidWorks.
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Case studies detailing the optimization process for performance, efficiency, or cost reduction in previous design projects.
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Documentation samples of technical reports, drawings, or bills of materials produced for engineering projects.
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Evidence of collaborative work on projects, highlighting contributions to successful project delivery and problem resolution. Process Documentation:
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Showcase understanding of the design-to-manufacturing workflow, from initial concept and design through to production documentation.
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Include examples of how analytical or simulation results were translated into design improvements or process adjustments.
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Demonstrate experience in documenting technical specifications and manufacturing requirements clearly and comprehensively.
π Enhancement Note: For an entry-level Product Designer role, a formal "portfolio" might be less about extensive professional experience and more about academic projects, internships, or personal engineering endeavors. The focus should be on demonstrating foundational design skills, analytical capabilities, and an understanding of the product development lifecycle from concept to manufacturing.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD $70,000 - $80,000 per year.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Health and Dental coverage for employees and their families.
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Access to Manulife Virtual Pharmacy for convenient prescription services and home delivery.
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Manulife Mental Health and Counselling Services via the Manulife app for confidential wellness support.
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Life Insurance coverage, provided as a multiple of salary, with options for additional coverage.
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Disability Insurance for income protection.
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Defined Contribution Pension Plan with a company matching program (up to 3% of salary).
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Annual Wellness Reimbursement Program (up to $300) for fitness centre memberships or related apps.
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Opportunities for Personal and Professional Development through training and education.
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Community Involvement initiatives, encouraging participation in supporting health, charity, youth, and education.
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Complimentary Tea and Coffee available at the Price CafΓ©.
Working Hours: 40 hours per week.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range of $70,000 - $80,000 CAD for an entry-level (0-2 years experience) Mechanical Engineer/Product Designer in Vaughan, Ontario, is competitive and aligns with industry benchmarks for the region. Vaughan, being part of the Greater Toronto Area, has a higher cost of living, and this range reflects that. The benefits package is robust, indicating a strong commitment to employee well-being and long-term financial security.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Manufacturing (Air Distribution Products, HVAC, Critical Controls, Noise Control).
Company Size: Price Industries Limited is a significant player in its market, employing a substantial workforce across North America. The specific size of the Vaughan facility is not detailed but is described as a "growing Winnipeg manufacturing facility" in the original text, suggesting expansion and dynamism.
Founded: Over 60 years ago, Price Industries Limited has a deep heritage as a privately held family company, emphasizing business integrity, first-class service, innovation, and a strong commitment to its people.
Team Structure:
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The Product Design role will be part of a team responsible for HVAC product development, likely comprising other engineers, designers, and potentially product managers.
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Collaboration is key, involving close interaction with manufacturing teams, product development engineers, and potentially sales or client relations departments.
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The team operates within a broader manufacturing and distribution network, requiring integration with operations, supply chain, and quality assurance functions. Methodology:
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Emphasis on data-driven design through calculations, simulations, and testing to ensure product performance and efficiency.
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A structured approach to documentation, ensuring clarity and consistency from design through to manufacturing.
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A commitment to continuous improvement, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and best practices.
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A customer-centric approach, focusing on reliable delivery and knowledgeable follow-up service.
Company Website: https://www.priceindustries.com/
π Enhancement Note: Price Industries Limited's long history and family-owned structure suggest a culture that values stability, long-term relationships, and employee loyalty, while simultaneously embracing innovation and growth. The mention of a "growing Winnipeg manufacturing facility" in the original text, despite the Vaughan location, might indicate a broader operational footprint or a typo. For the purpose of this enhancement, we assume the Vaughan location is primary for this role.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry-level (0-2 years of experience) within the engineering and product design function. It is an excellent stepping stone for individuals looking to build a career in mechanical design, HVAC systems engineering, or product development within a manufacturing context.
Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to an Engineering Manager, Design Lead, or Product Development Manager, who oversees the team responsible for bringing new HVAC products to market or improving existing ones.
Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly influences the manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, performance, and reliability of Price Industries' HVAC products. Efficient and well-designed products are crucial for market competitiveness, customer satisfaction, and the company's overall revenue generation and market share. Their contributions to product optimization directly support sales efforts by ensuring products meet market demands and specifications.
Growth Opportunities:
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Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in HVAC system design, SolidWorks advanced features, simulation, and related engineering disciplines.
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Project Leadership: Progress to leading design projects, managing timelines, and coordinating smaller design teams as experience grows.
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Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into roles in manufacturing engineering, product management, sales engineering, or quality assurance, leveraging their product knowledge.
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Continuous Learning: Access to training, workshops, and potentially further education to stay current with industry advancements and expand skill sets.
π Enhancement Note: The growth path for an entry-level Product Designer in a manufacturing company like Price Industries is typically towards senior design engineer, lead designer, or potentially management roles within engineering or product development. The company's stated commitment to "Personal and Professional Development" is a key indicator of growth opportunities.
π Work Environment
Office Type: This is an on-site role at a manufacturing facility. The work environment will likely be a mix of office-based design work and potential time spent on the manufacturing floor to observe processes, liaise with production teams, and troubleshoot issues.
Office Location(s): Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. This location places the role within the Greater Toronto Area, offering access to a large industrial and commercial hub.
Workspace Context:
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The design workspace will be equipped with computers running SolidWorks and other necessary engineering software.
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Collaboration is encouraged, with opportunities to interact with colleagues from various departments, including manufacturing, engineering, and potentially sales.
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Access to manufacturing floor environments may be required for understanding production constraints and testing prototypes.
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The company provides amenities like a Price CafΓ© with free tea and coffee, fostering a comfortable work atmosphere.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typical for full-time roles in manufacturing and engineering. While not explicitly stated, manufacturing environments often have opportunities for flexible scheduling or overtime depending on project demands.
π Enhancement Note: The "on-site" nature of the role is critical. Product designers in manufacturing often benefit from direct interaction with the production environment to gain a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle and identify practical design improvements.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Review of resume and cover letter to assess qualifications against requirements. AI may be used in this stage.
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Technical Assessment/Interview: This may involve a technical skills test, a review of past projects (academic or professional), or in-depth questions about SolidWorks, mechanical design principles, and HVAC systems. Candidates may be asked to walk through a specific design challenge.
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Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about problem-solving skills, collaboration style, understanding of manufacturing processes, and cultural fit within the Price Industries team.
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Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, focusing on career aspirations and overall alignment with the company's vision and values.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Showcase SolidWorks Proficiency: Include 3D models, renderings, and technical drawings that clearly demonstrate your command of SolidWorks.
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Highlight Problem-Solving: Present case studies of how you've used design and analysis to solve specific engineering challenges, improve performance, or reduce costs. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "improved efficiency by 15%").
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Demonstrate Manufacturing Awareness: If possible, include examples that show consideration for manufacturability, material selection, and assembly processes.
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Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or skill demonstrated. Provide concise explanations for each piece, outlining the problem, your approach, the tools used, and the outcome.
Challenge Preparation:
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SolidWorks Exercises: Be prepared for practical exercises or scenario-based questions involving SolidWorks modeling, assembly, or basic simulation.
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Design Principles: Brush up on fundamental mechanical engineering principles, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and material science as they apply to HVAC.
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Manufacturing Processes: Understand the basics of sheet metal fabrication, machining, and assembly processes common in HVAC manufacturing.
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Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think through how you would approach common design challenges, such as optimizing airflow, reducing noise, improving energy efficiency, or ensuring product durability.
π Enhancement Note: The mention of AI assessing applications is noteworthy and suggests candidates should ensure their resumes and any submitted materials are optimized for keyword recognition and clear articulation of skills and achievements relevant to mechanical design and HVAC.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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SolidWorks: Essential for 3D modeling, drafting, assembly, and potentially basic simulation. Proficiency is a core requirement.
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Other Engineering Software: The job description mentions "other engineering software tools," which could include CAD/CAM software, FEA (Finite Element Analysis) tools, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software, or specialized HVAC design and analysis tools.
Analytics & Reporting:
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While not explicitly listed for this role, engineers often use data from simulations, tests, and manufacturing to generate reports on product performance and issues. Familiarity with data analysis within engineering contexts is beneficial. CRM & Automation:
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MRP/ERP Systems: Experience with systems like SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics is preferred, indicating a need for understanding how design data integrates with production planning, inventory management, and supply chain operations.
π Enhancement Note: SolidWorks is the primary tool specified. Any experience with complementary engineering software or simulation tools would be a significant advantage. Understanding how design data flows into MRP/ERP systems is a valuable insight into the broader operational impact of this role.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Innovation: A commitment to developing new and improved HVAC products that meet market demands and advance technology.
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Integrity & Service: Upholding strong business ethics and providing first-class service to clients and partners.
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Commitment to People: Valuing employees, fostering a supportive team environment, and investing in their development.
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Quality & Reliability: Ensuring dependable product quality and reliable delivery, which are cornerstones of the company's market leadership.
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Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly enhance processes, products, and personal skills.
Collaboration Style:
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Team-Oriented: The role requires close collaboration with manufacturing, engineering, and potentially client-facing teams. A cooperative and communicative approach is essential.
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Cross-Functional Integration: Working effectively with different departments to ensure designs are manufacturable, meet client needs, and are integrated into broader company operations.
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Proactive Communication: Openly sharing information, providing updates, and addressing potential issues before they escalate.
π Enhancement Note: The company's founding principles (integrity, service, innovation, commitment to people) are likely reflected in its day-to-day culture. For an operations-focused role like this, understanding how these values translate into practical applicationβe.g., how "first-class service" impacts design choices or how "innovation" drives product developmentβis key.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Design Constraints: Meeting performance targets while adhering to cost, manufacturability, and timeline constraints.
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Technical Problem-Solving: Diagnosing and resolving complex issues that may arise during design, testing, or post-launch.
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Adapting to New Technologies: Staying current with evolving HVAC technologies, design software, and manufacturing techniques.
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Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively communicating technical designs and requirements to non-technical stakeholders (e.g., manufacturing, sales).
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Technical Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in SolidWorks, advanced simulation techniques, and HVAC system design through internal training or external courses.
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Industry Exposure: Learning about the broader HVAC industry, market trends, and competitor products.
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Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced engineers and designers within the company.
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Career Progression: A clear pathway to more senior engineering roles, project management, or specialization within product development.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an early-career design engineer. The growth opportunities are tied to developing technical depth and gaining broader operational understanding within the manufacturing context.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a complex HVAC system you designed or analyzed. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, tools used, and quantifiable outcomes).
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"How do you approach optimizing a product design for both performance and manufacturability?" (Discuss trade-offs, collaboration with manufacturing, and use of simulation).
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"Walk me through your process for creating a bill of materials and technical documentation for a new product." (Highlight attention to detail, accuracy, and clarity).
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"How do you stay updated on the latest HVAC technologies and engineering software like SolidWorks?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning). Company & Culture Questions:
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"What do you know about Price Industries Limited and our products?" (Research their website, recent news, and product lines).
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"How do you approach working in a team environment, especially with colleagues from manufacturing or other departments?" (Emphasize collaboration, communication, and problem-solving together).
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"How do you handle constructive feedback on your designs or technical proposals?" (Demonstrate openness to improvement and a professional attitude). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Select Relevant Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your
SolidWorks skills, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities, ideally related to mechanical design or HVAC if possible.
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly explain:
- The problem or objective.
- Your role and the tools/methods you used (especially SolidWorks).
- The design process and key decisions made.
- The challenges encountered and how you addressed them.
- The outcome or results achieved (quantify if possible).
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Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Expect questions about your design choices, calculations, and the specifics of your SolidWorks approach.
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Connect to Price Industries: Briefly explain how your skills and experience align with the company's products and mission.
π Enhancement Note: Emphasizing the "AI may be used to assess applications" means candidates should ensure their resume and cover letter are keyword-rich and clearly articulate their experience with SolidWorks and HVAC engineering principles.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Product Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on the Dayforce portal.
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Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or Technology program), your 1-2 years of experience, and specifically mention proficiency with SolidWorks and any relevant HVAC design or manufacturing experience. Use keywords from the job description.
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Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate examples of your design work, focusing on SolidWorks projects, technical documentation, and any instances where you optimized designs for performance or manufacturability. Be ready to present and discuss these.
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Research Price Industries: Understand their product lines (air distribution, critical controls, noise control), their company history, values (integrity, service, innovation), and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
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Practice Interview Questions: Prepare answers for common technical questions related to mechanical design, SolidWorks, and HVAC, as well as behavioral questions about teamwork and problem-solving.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelorβs degree in Mechanical Engineering or a Mechanical Engineering Technology diploma with 1 to 2 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in SolidWorks and a strong understanding of mechanical design principles and HVAC systems are required.