At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects and improve products throughout their lifecycle.
- Company: Join a market-leading, customer-focused company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Earn up to £62k, enjoy bonuses, private healthcare, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving product improvements and mentoring future engineers.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent in engineering with 6 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 38250 - 46750 £ per year.
As a Staff Engineer in CPD, you lead cross-functional design projects across brands to improve products throughout their lifecycle. You will provide technical direction, drive improvement initiatives, and ensure compliant, auditable changes. The role combines hands-on engineering with mentoring to raise capability within the team, while coordinating with Manufacturing, SQA and Approvals to deliver impactful cost and performance benefits. It’s a collaborative, innovative role in a market-leading, customer-focused company.
Pay / Benefits
- Base salary up to 62k
- Company bonus
- Private health care
- Generous pension scheme
- Hybrid working (on-site 3 days per week)
- Career growth opportunities
Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional design projects from concept to implementation and benefit realisation
- Identify and prioritise product and business improvements with stakeholder support
- Own value engineering and lifecycle cost activities to deliver savings without compromising safety or performance
- Lead technically complex product changes and investigate root causes to implement proportionate solutions
- Act as product-development technical authority for current portfolio, guiding urgent issues with manufacturing, SQA and approvals teams
- Ensure engineering changes are compliant, controlled and auditable with proper documentation
- Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to set technical expectations and implement cost improvements
- Use customer feedback and field performance data to prioritise updates and measure effectiveness
- Support handover from NPD to CPD, retaining design intent, risks and lessons learned
- Improve CPD and NPD methods, maintaining technical rigour and efficiency
- Provide technical leadership through coaching, design reviews, and knowledge sharing
Key requirements
- Degree, apprenticeship or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant engineering discipline
- 6 years engineering experience with complex product or design changes in a regulated or quality-controlled environment
- Proven ability to lead design projects from concept to implementation with technical guidance to others
- Structured root cause analysis, risk assessment and validation planning experience
- Experience producing and reviewing controlled engineering documentation aligned with standards and approvals
- Strong decision-making and stakeholder management skills across multiple projects
- Clear communication and ability to influence decisions across the business
- Desirable: CPD or lifecycle environment experience
- Desirable: 3D/2D CAD with Creo Parametric, DFx understanding
- Desirable: knowledge of electrical/electronic interactions with mechanical design
- Desirable: product approvals, supplier technical management and engineering change processes
Staff Engineer – Continuous Product Development employer: Kohler
Kohler Mira is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration at our Cheltenham site. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive career development opportunities, competitive benefits including bonuses and private medical cover, and a diverse, inclusive environment where every associate can thrive and contribute to meaningful change in creating better tomorrows.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Engineer – Continuous Product Development
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Staff Engineer – Continuous Product Development role you’re after at Kohler.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Kohler a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Kohler.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Staff Engineer – Continuous Product Development at Kohler, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Engineer – Continuous Product Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Staff Engineer – Continuous Product Development, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Kohler a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Kohler specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kohler
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Kohler, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Kohler want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
