Technical Product Designer – Engineering Specialist for Plastic and Workplace Components

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Technical Product Designer – Engineering Specialist for Plastic and Workplace Components

Company: Jungheinrich Business Service Croatia d.o.o.

Location: Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering / Product Design / Operations Support

Date Posted: 2026-05-14

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and model plastic components and assemblies for forklift trucks, focusing on interior panels, dashboards, and oil tanks using advanced 3D CAD software.

• Develop and maintain a group-wide construction kit for driver workplace components, emphasizing cost optimization and broad usability across various forklift truck models.

• Act as a key interface between design, procurement, quality assurance, external suppliers, and in-house production facilities to ensure efficient component integration and manufacturing.

• Analyze and resolve technical issues related to plastic component manufacturing and field performance, collaborating with the German development center when necessary.

• Manage and implement serial changes and customer options according to established Jungheinrich change processes, ensuring seamless integration into production.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Technical Product Designer," has significant operational responsibilities in ensuring manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and integration of components within a large manufacturing and logistics ecosystem. The emphasis on coordination with procurement, production planning, and supplier management positions it closely to a manufacturing operations or supply chain engineering function, requiring a blend of design expertise and operational acumen.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Component Design & Modeling:

  • Create detailed 3D models and 2D technical drawings for plastic components and assemblies, including driver workplace elements, interior panels, dashboards, and oil tanks for forklift trucks.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive Bills of Materials (BOMs) and supplementary documentation such as assembly instructions and maintenance guides.
  • Ensure all designs adhere to Jungheinrich's engineering standards, cost targets, and usability requirements.

• Construction Kit Development:

  • Design, update, and expand a standardized construction kit for driver workplace components, including driver seats and fixture systems for Human-Machine Interface (HMI) elements.
  • Focus on modularity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness to ensure seamless integration across Jungheinrich's diverse forklift truck portfolio.

• Cross-Functional Interface Management:

  • Coordinate closely with procurement teams to prepare necessary documentation for sourcing and to negotiate component specifications.
  • Liaise with quality assurance departments to ensure all components meet stringent quality standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Collaborate with external component suppliers to define technical requirements, review designs, and manage product development cycles.
  • Work with in-house production facilities and production planning to ensure manufacturability and efficient production scheduling.

• Technical Problem Solving & Analysis:

  • Investigate and diagnose technical challenges arising from plastic component manufacturing processes or from components installed in the field.
  • Support root cause analysis and develop effective solutions, leveraging internal expertise and potentially engaging the development center in Germany.

• Change Management & Configuration:

  • Implement serial changes and Customer Options (Cust Options) into existing designs and documentation systems in strict accordance with the Jungheinrich change management process.
  • Ensure accurate configuration management and version control for all design and product data.

• Prototyping & Testing Support:

  • Provide technical support for prototype builds, ensuring components are manufactured and assembled correctly.

  • Assist in testing and commissioning of new components and assemblies, documenting results and identifying areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical operational role in bridging product design with manufacturing and supply chain realities. The emphasis on cost optimization, supplier coordination, and problem-solving within manufacturing processes indicates a need for an operations-minded individual who can translate design intent into tangible, cost-effective, and high-quality physical products.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience in mechanical design, with a strong focus on plastic component design principles.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex design projects from concept to production.

Required Skills:

• 3D CAD Proficiency: Expert-level skills in common CAD systems, with a strong preference for CATIA; Siemens NX experience is also highly valued.

• Plastic Component Design: In-depth knowledge of plastic material properties, common manufacturing technologies (injection molding, rotational molding, blow molding, thermoforming), and associated design considerations.

• Mold Design & Tooling: General knowledge in mold design principles and an understanding of mold tooling requirements for plastic manufacturing.

• Technical Documentation: Ability to create precise technical 2D drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and assembly instructions.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve manufacturing and field issues.

• Communication: Excellent technical communication skills, particularly with external suppliers, and strong internal communication abilities.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent (technical) English is mandatory.

Preferred Skills:

• PLM/PDM Systems: Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or Product Data Management (PDM) systems, such as Siemens Teamcenter.

• ERP Systems: Basic experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, specifically SAP R/3, with an understanding of the Materials Management (MM) module.

• German Language Skills: Proficiency in German would be a significant asset.

• Cost Optimization: Demonstrated ability to incorporate cost-saving measures into design processes.

• Usability Focus: Experience in designing components with a strong emphasis on user experience and functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required proficiency in specific CAD and PLM/PDM systems, alongside knowledge of manufacturing processes and ERP, indicates a need for candidates who can integrate seamlessly into an established, complex product development and manufacturing ecosystem. The preference for CATIA and Teamcenter suggests these are core tools within Jungheinrich's operations and engineering departments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 projects demonstrating proficiency in designing plastic components or complex assemblies from concept through to production-ready documentation.

• Technical Drawings & BOMs: Include examples of detailed 2D technical drawings, clearly indicating dimensions, tolerances, and material specifications, alongside well-structured Bills of Materials.

• Material & Manufacturing Insights: Provide evidence of understanding specific plastic materials and manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding considerations, mold flow analysis integration).

• Problem-Solving Examples: Highlight a project where you identified and resolved a technical challenge in component design or manufacturing, detailing the process and outcome.

• CAD Model Examples: Visual representations (renderings or screenshots) of complex 3D CAD models, demonstrating proficiency in your preferred CAD software.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should illustrate an understanding of design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles and design-for-assembly (DFA) methodologies.

• Demonstrate familiarity with change management processes and the documentation required for managing product updates and variations.

• Showcase an ability to translate user requirements and operational needs into detailed technical specifications and design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is crucial to demonstrate practical design skills and understanding of manufacturing realities. Candidates should focus on showcasing projects that clearly articulate the design process, technical challenges overcome, and the resulting impact on manufacturability and cost. Demonstrating an integrated approach, where design is informed by operational constraints and opportunities, will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Attractive Salary: Compensation tailored to qualifications and experience.

• Flexible Working Hours: Options for flexible scheduling to accommodate work-life balance.

• Work From Home Opportunity: Hybrid work model allowing for remote work days.

• Language Courses: Support for professional development through language training.

• Health and Recreation Benefits: Programs and benefits focused on employee well-being.

• Family Incentives: Support for employees with family responsibilities.

• Free Healthy Snacks and Coffee: On-site amenities to enhance the work environment.

• Internal Events: Regular company events fostering team cohesion and morale.

• Professional and Personal Training Opportunities: Investment in employee growth and development through training programs.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, likely around 40 hours per week, with provisions for flexible working hours to support a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for similar roles in Zagreb, Croatia, considering the specified experience level and technical requirements. Actual compensation will be determined by the company based on individual qualifications and market conditions. The benefits package emphasizes a holistic approach to employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Industrial Equipment Manufacturing & Intralogistics Solutions. Jungheinrich is a leading global provider of material handling equipment, warehousing technology, and logistics services. Their digital products arm focuses on developing software and digital solutions to optimize intralogistics.

Company Size: Jungheinrich Business Service Croatia d.o.o. is part of the larger Jungheinrich Group, which is a significant global player in its industry. The specific size of the Croatian business unit is not detailed but operates within a large international corporation. This implies access to global resources and best practices while maintaining a more focused, local team.

Founded: The Jungheinrich Group was founded in 1953. This long history signifies stability, deep industry knowledge, and a well-established reputation.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role sits within a team focused on the engineering and development of digital and physical components for intralogistics solutions, specifically forklift trucks.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role requires extensive collaboration with internal departments such as procurement, quality assurance, production planning, and the broader development center in Germany.

• Specialized Engineering: The team likely comprises engineers and designers specializing in various aspects of product development, from mechanical and plastic engineering to software and systems integration.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: A strong emphasis on using data from manufacturing, field performance, and cost analysis to inform design decisions and optimizations.

• Process Optimization: Continuous efforts to improve design processes, manufacturing workflows, and component cost-effectiveness are central to the role.

• Structured Development: Adherence to established change management processes and development cycles, ensuring quality and consistency across product lines.

Company Website: https://www.jungheinrich.com/ (Global) and https://jungheinrich.bamboohr.com/careers (Careers Portal)

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large, established corporation like Jungheinrich means working within defined processes and standards. The "digital products" division indicates a forward-thinking approach to integrating technology into traditional manufacturing, making this role a blend of classic engineering and modern operational efficiency. The "first-name culture" suggests a collaborative and approachable working environment despite the corporate structure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is for a Mid-Level Engineering Specialist. It requires foundational education and 2-5 years of experience, indicating an individual who has moved beyond entry-level tasks and can operate with a degree of autonomy, manage specific project components, and contribute to operational improvements.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to an Engineering Manager or a Head of Product Development within the Croatian business unit. This manager would oversee the technical direction, project assignments, and performance evaluation, acting as a conduit to the larger German development center for complex issues and strategic alignment.

Operations Impact: The Technical Product Designer plays a crucial role in the operational success of Jungheinrich's forklift truck division by:

• Cost Control: Directly influencing component costs through design choices and supplier coordination.

• Product Quality & Reliability: Ensuring components are designed for manufacturability and durability, impacting field performance and warranty costs.

• Time-to-Market: Efficiently managing design changes and supporting prototype builds to accelerate product development cycles.

• Supply Chain Efficiency: Facilitating smooth collaboration with suppliers and internal production, minimizing bottlenecks.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific plastic materials, advanced manufacturing techniques (e.g., additive manufacturing), or complex assembly design.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Senior Technical Product Designer role, leading specific design workstreams or mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Transition into roles within procurement, quality assurance, production engineering, or even product management within the intralogistics sector.

• International Exposure: With the German development center being a key partner, there are opportunities for collaboration and potential international project involvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for an engineer to grow within a specialized technical domain while also developing crucial operational competencies. The impact on cost and quality within a manufacturing context is significant, providing a strong foundation for future career advancement in operations-centric roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description mentions a "brand-new office in Zagreb," suggesting a modern, well-equipped workspace. The hybrid work arrangement indicates a blend of on-site and remote work.

Office Location(s): Zagreb, Croatia. Specific details about the office's accessibility or neighborhood would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "first-name culture" and emphasis on internal communication suggest an environment where teamwork and open dialogue are encouraged.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern CAD software (CATIA/Siemens NX) and PLM/PDM systems (Teamcenter) is expected, along with standard office productivity tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with engineering colleagues, procurement specialists, and potentially R&D personnel from the German headquarters. The hybrid model allows for focused individual work and structured team collaboration.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule, likely around 40 hours per week, with the benefit of flexible working hours. This allows employees to adjust their start and end times within reasonable limits to better manage personal commitments and operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model and modern office environment are key attractors for professionals seeking a balance between focused work and collaborative engagement. For an operations-focused design role, the ability to have dedicated time for deep work (CAD modeling, analysis) and collaborative sessions (supplier calls, team reviews) is crucial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess technical qualifications, relevant experience, and alignment with required skills.

• Technical Interview: Likely conducted by engineering managers or senior designers, focusing on your CAD skills, knowledge of plastic component design, manufacturing processes, and problem-solving abilities. Expect detailed questions about your past projects.

• Portfolio Presentation: You may be asked to present specific projects from your portfolio, detailing your design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the impact of your work. Focus on quantifiable results where possible.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions to assess your teamwork, communication style, initiative, and alignment with Jungheinrich's values and culture. Questions about how you handle cross-functional collaboration and manage technical problems will be common.

• Final Interview: Potentially with higher management to discuss career aspirations and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM): Clearly articulate how your designs consider manufacturing constraints, tooling, and cost-efficiency.

• Highlight Problem-Solving: For each project, identify a specific technical challenge and explain your systematic approach to resolving it, including any trade-offs considered.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., cost reduction achieved, improvement in component performance, reduction in assembly time).

• Technical Drawing Clarity: Ensure your sample technical drawings are legible, well-dimensioned, and include all necessary specifications.

• Tool Proficiency: If possible, subtly demonstrate familiarity with the preferred tools (CATIA, Teamcenter) through your project examples or descriptions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for hypothetical design scenarios or problem-solving exercises related to plastic components or driver workplace systems for forklifts.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, explaining the steps you would take to analyze a problem and develop a solution.

• Brush up on common plastic manufacturing defects and their prevention through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize technical design capabilities and problem-solving skills, with a strong emphasis on practical application. A well-curated portfolio that directly addresses the requirements of plastic component design, manufacturing interfaces, and cost optimization will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 3D CAD Software: CATIA (preferred), Siemens NX (welcome). Proficiency in creating complex solid models, surfacing, assembly design, and generating 2D drawings is essential.

• PLM/PDM Systems: Siemens Teamcenter (advantageous). Experience in managing design data, BOMs, change orders, and revision control within a PLM environment.

• ERP Systems: SAP R/3 (basic experience with MM module is a plus). Understanding of how design data integrates with procurement and production planning systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly involved with CRM, but understanding how product data flows into broader business systems (ERP, potentially CRM for customer option integration) is relevant. Automation within the design process itself (e.g., scripting for repetitive tasks in CAD) might be a plus but not explicitly stated.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in CATIA and a strong understanding of PLM systems like Teamcenter are key technical requirements. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools in detail, focusing on how they've used them to manage complex design projects and facilitate collaboration with manufacturing and supply chain functions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: A commitment to detail in design, documentation, and communication, ensuring that components meet exact specifications.

• Efficiency & Cost-Consciousness: A drive to optimize designs for manufacturability, reduce material waste, and achieve cost targets without compromising quality.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A willingness to work closely with cross-functional teams, share knowledge, and support colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: An open-minded approach to exploring new materials, manufacturing techniques, and design solutions to enhance product performance and operational efficiency.

• Responsibility & Ownership: Taking initiative and accountability for assigned design tasks and problem-solving efforts.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with procurement, quality assurance, and production teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet business objectives.

• Supplier Partnership: Building strong working relationships with external suppliers to foster collaboration, ensure quality, and optimize component development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Participating in design reviews, sharing best practices, and contributing to a culture of continuous learning within the engineering team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values and preferred collaboration style emphasize a practical, results-oriented approach. Candidates who can demonstrate a blend of technical expertise and a collaborative, problem-solving mindset will be a strong fit for this operations-centric design role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Constraints: Juggling competing demands for performance, cost, manufacturability, and usability within the specific context of forklift truck components.

• Global Coordination: Effectively communicating and collaborating with the development center in Germany, potentially across different time zones and with language nuances.

• Material & Process Expertise: Keeping abreast of evolving plastic materials and manufacturing technologies to ensure optimal design choices.

• Integration Complexity: Designing components that seamlessly integrate with a wide range of existing forklift truck platforms and electronic systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced CAD/PLM Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in CATIA, Teamcenter, or learn complementary software.

• Material Science & Manufacturing Techniques: Access to training and resources on new developments in plastics and molding technologies.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about the intricacies of procurement, quality assurance, and production planning through close collaboration.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Gaining comprehensive experience across the entire product development lifecycle within a leading industrial equipment manufacturer.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex engineering challenges within a well-established industrial context. The growth paths are geared towards deepening technical expertise while also building valuable operational project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a plastic component with strict cost limitations. What was your approach, and what trade-offs did you make?" (Assesses cost consciousness and design compromise skills)

• "How do you ensure your designs are manufacturable? Walk me through a specific example." (Evaluates DFM knowledge and practical application)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Jungheinrich and our role in the intralogistics industry?" (Assesses research and genuine interest)

• "How do you approach collaboration with teams outside of engineering, such as procurement or quality assurance?" (Gauges teamwork and cross-functional communication)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the objective, your role, the technical challenge, your design process, the solution, and the outcome (quantified if possible).

• Focus on Key Skills: Emphasize your proficiency in CATIA/NX, your understanding of plastic materials and manufacturing, and your ability to create detailed technical documentation.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Highlight instances where you identified and resolved design or manufacturing issues, demonstrating your analytical approach.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific details in your drawings, CAD models, or BOMs. Be ready to explain your decisions and technical reasoning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong technical foundation in plastic component design, a practical understanding of manufacturing processes and cost considerations, and excellent cross-functional communication skills. The portfolio is your primary tool to validate these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused design position:

• Visit the Jungheinrich careers portal at https://jungheinrich.bamboohr.com/careers and locate the listing for the Technical Product Designer role (Job ID 143).

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with plastic component design, 3D CAD (especially CATIA), technical drawing creation, and any familiarity with PLM/PDM systems (Teamcenter) or ERP (SAP). Emphasize achievements related to cost optimization, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in designing plastic components, creating technical documentation, and your understanding of manufacturing processes. Ensure clarity, detail, and demonstrable impact.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Brush up on plastic injection molding, mold design principles, material properties, and common design-for-manufacturing (DFM) considerations. Be ready to discuss your CAD software workflow.

• Research Jungheinrich: Understand their product range, their digital solutions initiatives, and their position in the intralogistics market to better articulate your interest and fit.

⚠️ 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.