Product Design Engineering in a Fast-Paced Work Environment

Introduction

So you want to design and engineer amazing, innovative products that impact lives? Well, you’re looking at the right career. However, it can be as challenging as it is rewarding, especially in a fast-paced environment. Typical learnings in this type of workplace can be sink or swim in nature. There is pressure. You figure it out as you go and make mistakes as you are forced to learn in order to improve. Every job will be different, but in most cases, you will be facing similar challenges and decisions. You will be forced to prioritize certain aspects of your work within the time you have. There will never be enough time to make it perfect. That’s part of the reason people end up working late to meet their deadlines, but there are tips and tricks to get around that. This article aims to give you an edge and to help you keep it all in perspective.

Big Picture

This job will throw a lot at you, so prioritization is key. If you are not a typically organized person, that will make it more difficult, but not impossible. You have to find the right level of organization that works for you to keep up with the pace. Keep in mind that the design you send out at the end of the day is almost NEVER final, and it doesn’t have to be. When you send files out for DFM (Design for Manufacturability), there are always going to be changes that the manufacturer requests, and you will have back and forth on what is necessary to balance design intent and manufacturability. This can take several rounds, but it’s extremely helpful to get their eyes on it early in the process before it is “done.” It also needs to be close enough to a final design in order to not perpetuate even more major changes down the line. More on this later.

You have to play the game a bit to get the design to a point you are comfortable with, knowing that you can roll in some changes later as the iteration continues. That is an art and skill of product development. You don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot or boobytrap your design by rushing and not making the model tree robust. If you don’t take care to create a clean tree with proper references, your model is going to break with any later changes and you will spend even more time fixing it over and over, which not only takes longer but will drive you crazy.

Throughout the design process, you want to be prototyping and testing as early and often as possible. Run a 3D print overnight before you leave the office. When you get it, clean it off and try it out, then get right back into the changes you need to make. It can seem like an endless cycle, but as you do it more and more, you start to understand what works for you in the process. It might be a little different for each person, product, and company. A lot of times you are juggling multiple projects at different phases and have to juggle your timing and priority each day.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once you finally get the finished product, it feels rewarding, and you usually get a break or a chance to focus on something else, like brainstorming for the next one. When in doubt, find a mentor, ask questions, read more articles, and keep going! You will find yourself getting into a groove. Above all else, stand up for yourself and keep your health in mind.

Design and CAD Modeling

Think of yourself as an architect. You don’t just jump into building your skyscraper. You want to plan it out or the whole thing will end up crashing down when an earthquake comes. Keep in mind that things are going to change. Start with sketches to visualize the main components of your assembly and how they come together. Then once you have a good grasp on the overall architecture, you can jump into CAD.

Your boss will recommend a different solution. Your industrial design team will completely change the form. Your manufacturer will give painstakingly continuous DFM feedback about changes they request about how to make the product. It won’t always work the way you expect. Your feature tree will break and you will see red (in more ways. This goes for CAD and engineering in general.

As much pressure as there is to get it done quickly and meet your timeline (or maybe you just want to be done for the day), it’s always a marathon, not a sprint. Most CAD software is finicky, and if the model is not built robustly, you can easily make it a lot harder on yourself if you rush.

Time Management and Prioritization

In a fast-paced environment, managing your time effectively is crucial. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines. Use project management tools to keep track of milestones and deadlines. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, and tackle them one at a time. There are plenty of methods to help you in this area, but ultimately you will need to find what works best for you. Find time to take breaks even if they are brief. Remember, sometimes it's about working smarter, not harder.

Balancing Quality and Speed

One of the biggest challenges in a fast-paced environment is balancing the need for speed with maintaining high quality. Understand that not everything needs to be perfect on the first pass. Iterative design allows you to improve upon your initial ideas and refine them over time. Set realistic goals for each iteration and focus on making incremental improvements. It’s not uncommon to set a goal and realize that it takes longer than expected, for a number of reasons that pop up. Try to build in some padding in your estimated timeline and schedule.

Collaboration and Communication

Collaboration is the lifeblood of product design engineering. You'll often find yourself working closely with a diverse team that includes industrial designers, electrical engineers, marketers, and manufacturers. Effective communication is key. Regularly scheduled meetings, clear documentation, and using collaborative tools can help keep everyone on the same page. Miscommunication can lead to costly mistakes, so always ensure your team understands the current state of the project and the next steps.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

The world of product design is always evolving. New technologies, materials, and methods are constantly emerging. Staying adaptable and continuously learning is essential. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences. Read industry publications and join professional networks. Being proactive in your professional development will keep you ahead of the curve and ready to tackle new challenges.

Embracing Failure

Failure is an inevitable part of the design process. Instead of fearing it, embrace it as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong, understand why it happened, and apply those lessons to future projects. A resilient mindset will help you bounce back from setbacks and continue to innovate. Usually in the case of a mistake, as devasting as it may seem, there is a way to move forward and mitigate it. The more mistakes you make, the more you are able to learn how to plan and prepare ahead of time potential issues.

Conclusion

Product design engineering in a fast-paced work environment can be a thrilling and challenging career. By staying organized, collaborating effectively, managing your time, and continuously learning, you can navigate the pressures and demands of this dynamic field. Remember to balance quality with speed, embrace failure as a learning tool, and most importantly, take care of yourself along the way. With these strategies, you'll not only survive but thrive in creating products that make a real impact.