New Product Development Engineeer
Parker Hannifin
Please provide a summary of your job or research. What is an average day like? What are some duties performed?
My job is to research and design new products in the hydraulic industry. I start by talking to customers to understand the problems they face. Then, I work with my team to brainstorm solutions and create 3D computer models of our ideas. We run simulations to see how well these designs work and even 3D print models to demonstrate them. After that, I order the necessary parts and test everything in our lab to make sure it meets our expectations. Finally, I communicate the solutions to the customers, explaining how our designs can help solve their problems. It’s a fun mix of creativity and problem-solving!
What is your educational background and what prompted you to go this direction?
I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. From a young age, I was always curious about how things work, especially mechanical objects. I loved taking things apart to see what was inside! My interest in engineering grew even more when I participated in an Explorers program. This program introduced students to different engineering professions, and I got to build things and even break them to understand how they functioned. It was a fun way to learn about engineering and discover my passion for designing new products!
What have you struggled with or overcome in your educational path or life path to get to this point? Throughout my educational journey, I faced some challenges, just like many people do. In school, there were always one or two subjects that I found difficult or didn’t enjoy. For me, even though I loved forces and math as a mechanical engineer, chemistry was a subject I really struggled with. It was tough for me to grasp some of the concepts, and I ended up having to take the class twice! But I didn’t give up. I worked hard, sought help when I needed it, and eventually made it through. Overcoming that challenge taught me the importance of persistence and asking for help, which has been valuable in my career.
What is the best part of your job/research?
The best part of my job is definitely working with customers and my team to develop solutions for their problems. I love talking to customers to understand their needs and challenges. It’s exciting to brainstorm ideas together and see how we can create something new that really helps them. Collaborating with my team also makes the process fun, as we share different perspectives and skills. Watching our ideas turn into real products that solve problems is incredibly rewarding!
What is the worst part?
The worst part of my job is when I work really hard on a problem but just can’t find a solution that works. It can be frustrating to put in a lot of effort and not get the results I hoped for. Sometimes, despite all the brainstorming and testing, things don’t go as planned. It’s tough because I want to help our customers, and when I can’t find the answer, it feels disappointing. However, I try to remind myself that every challenge is a learning opportunity, and sometimes taking a break or getting a fresh perspective can help us find the right solution later on.
What’s the most exciting part of your job?
The most exciting part of my job is when a solution actually works, and we develop a new product that the customer loves! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing all our hard work pay off. When we test our design and it performs just as we hoped, it’s a huge thrill. And then, when the customer decides to buy the product, it’s like a celebration! Knowing that we’ve created something that will help them and make their work easier is incredibly rewarding. It makes all the challenges and hard work worth it!
What has changed about your profession in the past ten years?
In the past ten years, my profession has changed a lot, mainly because of advancements in technology. One big change is that computers are much faster now, which allows us to run simulations and analyze data quickly. We also have better software that helps us design and test products more efficiently. This means we can see how our ideas will work before we even build them! Another exciting development is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into our work. AI can help with certain tasks, making our job easier and helping us create better solutions for our customers!
What do you think will change in the next ten?
In the next ten years, I believe we will see some exciting changes in our field. One major change will be the ever-evolving capabilities of 3D printing. This technology will definitely change the way I and other engineers develop and manufacture products. With advancements in 3D printing, we’ll be able to create more complex designs and produce parts faster and more efficiently. Additionally, AI will continue to be a helpful tool in improving our engineering processes for developing products. As AI technology advances, it will assist us in analyzing data, enhancing designs, and streamlining workflows. Overall, these changes will make our work more innovative and efficient, allowing us to create even better solutions for our customers!
