Senior Mechanical Designer At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.
Position Overview:
The Senior Mechanical Designer serves as the CAD technical authority for Slingshot, reviewing and integrating design work completed by internal and external engineering partners. Owning the vehicle master CAD model, this role ensures layouts, configurations, drawings, bills of material, and release data align with Polaris design and release standards. You will provide hands-on design support for smaller programs, accessories, production needs, and targeted assignments. Through vehicle-level ownership and technical guidance, this position has a direct impact on design quality, integration, and production readiness.
Key Responsibilities:- Serve as the primary Slingshot technical reviewer and approver for CAD models, layouts, drawings, and design releases produced by engineering partners.
- Create, own, and maintain the Slingshot vehicle master model, overall CAD configuration structure, modules, vehicle layouts, layout-file placement, and master model matrix.
- Control vehicle-level packaging, architecture, interfaces, and configuration content across programs and model variants.
- Provide clear, actionable design direction and feedback to ensure engineering output meets Polaris requirements, CAD and drawing best practices, and release standards.
- Identify design risks, packaging conflicts, and interface issues, and support their resolution with internal and external engineering partners.
- Ensure CAD, Design BOM, drawing BOM, engineering sequences, modular content, and release data remain accurate and synchronized, investigating and correcting discrepancies as needed.
- Confirm Publish Only and New Release CAD content is represented correctly and publish the production-ready master model before Start of Production.
- Align external resources on design intent, modeling approach, interface controls, and expected deliverable quality.
- Mentor internal and external CAD users and provide technical guidance on layouts, drawings, master-model practices, BOM alignment, and release execution.
- Create, document, and submit new part numbers for approval with clear usage descriptions.
- Create and release 3D models, layouts, assemblies, and drawings for small projects, accessories, production support, and other targeted assignments.
- Develop practical design solutions for relevant manufacturing processes, including injection-molded plastics, stampings, castings, machined components, and weldments.
Desired Competencies:- Technical / Functional Expertise: You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.
- Critical Thinking: You analyze information objectively, evaluate options, and apply sound judgment to solve problems and make informed decisions.
- Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.
Qualifications:- Associate or bachelor's degree in Drafting, Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 6 or more years of progressive experience in mechanical design, drafting, vehicle layout, or CAD integration.
- Advanced proficiency with PTC Creo or a comparable parametric CAD system, including complex assemblies, top-down or master-model methods, modeling, drafting, and design review.
- Working proficiency with Windchill or a comparable PLM system with CAD-driven BOMs, including CAD and BOM configuration, release, and change control.
- Demonstrated ability to review complex CAD and drawing deliverables, identify technical risks, provide actionable feedback, and determine readiness for release.
- Experience reviewing design work performed by suppliers, contractors, or global engineering teams.
- Experience with relevant manufacturing processes such as plastics injection molding and vacuum forming, metal stampings, castings, machining, or weldments.
- Experience with powersports, automotive, recreational vehicle, or other complex vehicle product development is preferred.
- Experience owning a full-vehicle master model, vehicle architecture, interface control, or a major planned-change program is preferred.
- Knowledge of GD&T to ASME Y14.5 and the ability to evaluate tolerance stack-ups and production drawings is preferred.
- Experience working across geographic and cultural boundaries with offshore or globally distributed engineering teams is preferred.
- This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
The starting pay range for Minnesota is $85,000 to $105,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range.
To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.
We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE. Apply today!
At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.
EEO Statement:
Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or Talent.Acquisition@Polaris.com. To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).
