Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Tigercat | MacDonald Steel

Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Mechanical Engineering

Date Posted: 2026-05-29T04:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop mechanical engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for heavy-duty equipment used in the forestry industry.

• Collaborate with established engineering teams to enhance existing products and drive new product developments through detailed design work.

• Conduct comprehensive testing, including stress analysis, fatigue testing, and vibration analysis, to validate designs and optimize performance.

• Create technical documentation, such as design specifications and bills of materials, ensuring clear communication of engineering intent.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on mechanical product design within the heavy machinery sector, requiring a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application for rugged, off-road equipment. The emphasis is on tangible product development from concept to production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop detailed mechanical designs, perform necessary calculations, and create prototypes for components, ensuring adherence to performance, safety, and industry standards.

• Analyze and select appropriate materials based on mechanical properties, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability for demanding applications.

• Foster close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, manufacturing personnel, and quality control, to ensure seamless design integration into production.

• Execute design validation through various tests, such as stress analysis, fatigue testing, and vibration analysis, to confirm and enhance performance, strength, and operational characteristics.

• Generate comprehensive technical documentation, including detailed design specifications and accurate bills of materials (BOMs).

• Proactively identify opportunities for design optimization, cost reduction initiatives, and improvements in manufacturing or operational efficiency.

• Provide hands-on support for troubleshooting during fabrication and assembly processes as needed.

• Offer field support for equipment troubleshooting and implement necessary improvements based on real-world performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to product design, emphasizing not just conceptualization but also direct involvement in validation, documentation, and even post-production support. This suggests a role that requires thorough understanding of the entire product lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics is preferred.

Experience: Previous design experience within heavy-duty mobile equipment industries (e.g., construction, transportation, mining, oil and gas, material handling, agriculture) is a strong asset.

Required Skills:

• Solid understanding of engineering principles, material properties, manufacturing processes, and computer-aided design (CAD) software.

• Proficiency in 3D modeling software, specifically SolidWorks.

• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and simulation software (e.g., Simulation).

• Strong understanding of machine design fundamentals, mechanics, materials science, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.

• Excellent communication and reasoning skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Adaptability to a dynamic work environment with competing demands and unexpected changes.

• Ability to balance aesthetics with practicality in product design.

• Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on emerging technologies.

• Experience with welded steel fabrications for manual and robotic welding.

• Design experience with hydraulic cylinders, components, control valves, and plumbing details.

• Familiarity with diesel engine installations and vehicle drive train/axle component selection.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with fluid power systems, engine systems, electrical and electronic systems, and drive train systems.

• Understanding of structural FEA and dynamic simulation of machine components.

• Design experience in implementing advanced hydraulic power and electronic control systems, sensors, and controllers.

• Design experience with attachments considering ease of installation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, with a significant focus on CAD and FEA proficiency. Experience in specific heavy-duty equipment subsystems like hydraulics, engines, and powertrains is highly valued, indicating the complexity and specialized nature of the products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase detailed mechanical designs, including 3D models and 2D drawings created in SolidWorks.

• Present case studies of product development projects, detailing the design challenges, engineering solutions, and material selection rationale.

• Include examples of stress analysis and FEA simulations performed to validate design integrity and performance.

Process Documentation:

• Document the design process from concept generation through to final production-ready drawings.

• Illustrate the workflow for design validation, including testing methodologies and analysis of results.

• Detail the process for incorporating feedback from manufacturing, quality control, and field support into design iterations.

• Showcase how design optimization for cost reduction and efficiency improvements was identified and implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of CAD and FEA skills, coupled with a clear understanding of the product development lifecycle from concept to validation and documentation, is crucial for this role. The emphasis on specific subsystems like hydraulics and powertrains suggests showcasing relevant projects is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for Product Designers with 2-5 years of experience in the Cambridge, Ontario region, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between CAD $65,000 and $85,000 annually. This estimate considers the specialized nature of heavy equipment design and the required technical proficiencies.

Benefits:

• Profit Sharing: A share in the company's financial success.

• RRSP Matching Program: Support for retirement planning.

• Skills Development and Training Reimbursement: Financial assistance for pre-approved, industry-related learning opportunities.

• Company-Paid Healthcare Benefits: Comprehensive coverage including prescriptions, massages, physiotherapy, and vision care.

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP): Free programs and support services for employees and their families.

• Active Social Committee: Participation in various company-sponsored social events and outings.

Working Hours: Dedicated Day Shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday (40 hours per week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for mechanical design roles in Southern Ontario, factoring in the specific industry and required technical skills. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being and professional development, aligning with a family-oriented company culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing (Forestry, Construction, etc.). Tigercat | MacDonald Steel operates within a demanding industrial sector focused on producing rugged, high-performance machinery designed for challenging environments. This context implies a culture that values durability, reliability, innovation, and practical engineering solutions.

Company Size: The specific size isn't detailed, but the mention of multiple locations (Brantford, Paris, Cambridge) and a structured benefits program suggests a medium to large-sized organization with established operational processes.

Founded: Tigercat Industries