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Design Engineer II

Milwaukee Tool · Brookfield, WI · Full time

Posted Jun 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you led the design on a cross-functional project. How did you keep everyone aligned?

What they are checking: Whether they can act as lead design engineer, which the posting names as the core of the role.

Tell me about a time you went out to talk with real users or watch them work.

What they are checking: Whether they ground designs in how tradespeople actually use tools on the jobsite.

How do you work with suppliers or manufacturing to solve a production problem?

What they are checking: Whether they can partner with manufacturing to fix issues, which product support work requires.

Tell me about a design you're proud of. What made it good?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain their own engineering judgment and the tradeoffs behind it.

What would you do

How would you take cost out of an existing product without hurting performance?

What they are checking: Whether they can do value engineering thoughtfully rather than cutting corners users will notice.

Your launch date is fixed, but testing shows a durability issue. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise risks early and offer options instead of hiding a problem to hit a date.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd design a new drill bit or cutting accessory from the user problem to a tested prototype.

What they are checking: Whether they can connect user needs to geometry, materials and testing in a structured design process.

A new masonry bit is wearing out faster than the competitor's in testing. How do you figure out why?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot failures with data, like wear patterns and material analysis, instead of guessing.

How do you pick materials and heat treatment for an accessory that takes heavy impact?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how hardness, toughness and cost trade off in durable accessories.

How do you use GD&T and tolerance stack-ups to make sure parts fit in production?

What they are checking: Whether they design for manufacturing at volume, not just for a working prototype.

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The full job description

As published by Milwaukee Tool.

Job Description: Design Engineer II - Accessories Come be DISRUPTIVE with us! At Milwaukee Tool we firmly believe that our People and our Culture are the secrets to our success -- so we give you unlimited access to everything you need to create disruptive new technologies and solutions on our engineering teams. Our Accessories New Product Development Team is responsible for giving life to the cutting, drilling, driving, masonry, and abrasive accessories that are changing the lives of our users. Every developmental phase of these critical components happens in-house under the watch of this team. We continue to invest in engineering resources to design and develop leadership in engineering capabilities; something unique within the industry, and we're pushing the limits. Behind our doors you'll be empowered every day to own it, drive it, and do what it takes to design and develop the biggest breakthroughs in the industry. Meanwhile, you'll have the support and resources of the fastest-growing brand in the construction industry to make it happen. The role of the Design Engineer II is to act as the lead design engineer and technical resource within cross-functional project teams across New Product Development, Continuous Improvement, Value Engineering, and Product Support specifically within our NPD Accessories business unit. You’ll also be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities: At Milwaukee Tool, our culture drives everything we do, and our people are the foundation on which our Culture is built. As One Team we relentlessly build and grow our Culture that is focused on: creating disruptive innovation, taking unparalleled pride in our work and brand, and doing what's best for our users. We require cultural passion and commitment, as appropriate to work position, of everyone who is employed at Milwaukee Tool. As an NPD Engineer in Milwaukee Tool Accessories, you will work in a dynamic, cross-functional environment, collaborating daily with your peers across Project Management, Engineering, Quality, Product Management, Operations, and Supply Chain. In order to move fast and stay connected with your on-site peers, this position is on-premises. It is not a remote position. Under the Guidance of Senior Engineering Staff: • Use the following to solve engineering problems: • 3D Modeling & Drafting • Manufacturing/Process Methods • Materials Science • Statics, Dynamics, and Stress Analysis • Structured experimentation • Root cause analysis • Robust design • Design optimization • Establish test regimens for products within scope of the project. • Submit test requests to internal laboratory. Deliver complete data analysis to support design recommendations. • Provide clear engineering information to Project Leaders, Global Engineering Teams, and Engineering Management. • Prepare and present large mechanical engineering milestone reviews for peer and management review. • Perform analyses and gather data to help drive trade-off decisions across performance, cost, complexity, and schedule and provide data driven recommendations to the team and business. • Help qualify new suppliers, both international and domestic, for prototyping, development, NPD, and other supply chain needs. Travel will be required. • Interact with existing suppliers, quality, and manufacturing, both international and domestic, daily to develop new products and processes and to support/develop improvements to current products and processes. • Provide support for engineering changes including reservation and release of new part numbers and bill of materials. • Plan and prioritize technical project tasks within your function and requirements to keep project on schedule. • Help manage and drive cross functional and other support team members’ contributions to keep your actions on schedule. • May require up to 20% of time devoted to project management across the business unit. Primary focus on independent and cross-functional technical investigations or low complexity Product Support projects. • Maintain a positive and focused attitude with regular cross-functional collaboration. • Serve as mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers. • Balance workload and priorities on multiple accessory projects of varying complexity simultaneously. • Foresee and prepare for upcoming deliverables and project milestones. • Perform various other duties to support the larger business needs as assigned and directed by management. What TOOLS you’ll bring with you: • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. • Typically, 2-3 years of experience in a New Product Development or equivalent role. • Proficient at 3D Modeling and Drafting. • Working knowledge of FEA, ANSYS preferred. • Working knowledge of statistical analysis software, Minitab preferred. • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of applications. • Mechanical aptitude is required including a functional knowledge of design, engineering materials, mechanical properties and an understanding of the manufacturing processes associated with these materials. • Must be a highly motivated self-starter with never satisfied, always improving attitude. Must be agile with the ability to work in an ever-changing and flexible environment. • Ability to travel up to 10% both domestically and internationally. We provide these great perks and benefits: • Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans. • Generous 401 (K) savings plan. • Education assistance. • On-site wellness, fitness center, food, and coffee service. Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

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