--- title: 'Product Engineer at DISHER' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/product-engineer-disher-portage-w3pr291f56th' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-18' --- # Product Engineer at DISHER - **Company:** DISHER - **Location:** Portage, MI - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-14 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-18 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/disher/9f34c488-8151-4062-a80d-52329d633e6e ## Job description Product Engineer - Portage, MI DISHER is partnering with a long-established engineering‑driven manufacturer of electro‑hydraulic components and systems, serving OEMs across a wide range of industries worldwide. This team is seeking a Product Engineer that will drive innovative solutions for design, development and production of the organization's products to continuously exceed customer expectations. You will play a crucial role in generating concepts aligned with customer requirements by leveraging understanding of first principles to drive product innovation, manage development projects through the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process, and successfully lead them into a smooth production launch. What it's like to work here: Headquartered in Southwest Michigan, the employee-owned company has over 50 years of experience and internationally recognized certifications. They are a trusted partner for product development, validation testing, and manufacturing excellence. They design and produce custom electro‑hydraulic solutions—including proportional and on/off valves, hydraulic assemblies, and precision components—tailored to the needs of each application. Their positive work environment is collaborative with an emphasis on integrity, respect, and doing the right thing. Their teams work collaboratively with customers to ensure performance, reliability, and long‑term success. What you'll get to do: Project Management – 40% of Time - Effectively manage development projects through the APQP process, ensuring timely and efficient production launch - Compile and maintain PPAP documentation for submission prior to production - Collaborate closely with the Manufacturing, Applications and Design Engineering departments to drive product development and production launch initiatives - Track project progress, resolve roadblocks and adjust plans as necessary to meet project deadlines and product performance goals - Communicate regular project updates to management and project stakeholders Product Development – 30% of Time - Develop product concepts by analyzing customer problem statements, design requirements and industry best practices to exceed customer expectations - Employ a strong understanding of engineering first principles to ensure the creation of innovative and high-quality products - Continuously assess and enhance product designs, utilizing innovative and creative thinking to push the boundaries of industry standards - Utilize Failure Mode and Effect Analysis tools to identify potential failure modes and assess impact on product quality, reliability and performance Production Support / Continuous Improvement – 30% of Time - Provide production support and lead troubleshooting efforts when quality issues arise - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve production quality challenges - Engage in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production line quality and efficiency - Utilize root cause analytical abilities to identify and resolve complex engineering issues - Apply statistical methods to data analysis to drive continuous improvement initiatives and reduce risk in design and manufacturing processes What will make you successful: - Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent required - 1+ years of experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment, intern /externships will be considered. - Entrepreneurial mindset to facilitate growth of an employee-owned company - Proficiency in managing development projects through the APQP process - Ability to think innovatively and creatively, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and excellence - Proficiency in Failure Mode and Effect Analysis tools and methodologies (DFMEA, PFMEA) - Strong root cause analytical abilities to solve complex engineering challenges - Working knowledge of statistical methods for data analysis - Familiarity with MS Office, Mathcad, Minitab, and/or Amesim preferred - Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey complex technical information to various stakeholders ## About DISHER ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: DISHER is an engineering, product development, manufacturing technology, and talent solutions firm that partners with clients to innovate and build custom solutions across diverse industries. - **Entity Type**: Private (Employee-Owned via ESOP) - **Headquarters**: Zeeland, Michigan, USA - **Founded**: 2000 - **Founders**: Jeff Disher ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Engineering Services, Product Development, Manufacturing Technology, Talent Solutions - **Target customers**: B2B, primarily mid-market to Fortune 500 companies across a wide range of industries including automotive, consumer goods, medical, and industrial equipment in the US and globally. - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Making a Positive Difference" — through integral relationships and innovative solutions with customers, coworkers, and communities. Their vision is to leave the world better than they found it. ## Products & Services - **Product Development**: Integrated design and engineering services from concept through production, covering mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. - **Manufacturing Solutions**: Services to streamline processes, boost productivity, and advance manufacturing technology, including automation and process optimization. - **Electronics Engineering**: Design and development of electronic systems and embedded solutions. - **Talent Solutions**: Staffing and consulting to place top engineering, design, and technical talent into client teams (both short-term contractors and permanent hires). - **DISHER Extended Network (DEN)**: A vetted network of freelance and contract professionals (engineers, designers, project managers) who work on a project-by-project basis for DISHER clients. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (Private, ESOP-owned company). No external funding rounds. - **Key Metric**: Core team of 130+ employees, with an extended network (DEN) of over 70 experts. Headcount has grown significantly from a one-person operation founded in 2000. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (100% employee-owned). Bi-weekly meetings review state of the business, indicating strong internal transparency on financials. - **Growth Signals**: 130+ core team members signals steady, stable growth over 20+ years. They are an award-winning firm that augments teams for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, indicating strong reputation and demand. ## Competitive Advantages - **Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)**: Every full-time core employee becomes an owner of the company, fostering a strong sense of ownership and alignment with the company’s long-term success. This is a powerful differentiator. - **Strong, Intentional Culture**: Built on 12 core culture characteristics (e.g., Unvarnished Communication, Trusting Relationships, Innovation, Stewardship) that are actively lived out through weekly team lunches, offsites, and ongoing feedback. - **Flexibility & Autonomy**: No fixed start/end times for workdays. Team members are encouraged to work where they are most productive (office, remote, or at client sites). - **High Employee Satisfaction**: 98% of teammates say DISHER is a great place to work, as per their internal Great Place to Work survey. - **Community Commitment**: 10% of profits are given back to community and nonprofit organizations. Employees get 20 paid hours of volunteer time annually. ## Strategic Focus - **Deepening Client Partnerships**: Moving beyond being "extra hands" to becoming true partners that help clients achieve their vision. - **Continuous Improvement**: Using workplace assessments (Great Place to Work, Denison Organizational Culture Survey) to refine culture and operations. - **Talent Development**: Investing heavily in their people through DISHER University, individual coaching, and personal development opportunities to maintain a high-caliber team. - **Expanding the Extended Network (DEN)**: Growing their network of vetted freelance talent to provide flexible, scalable solutions for clients. ## Why Work Here - **Culture is Core**: DISHER intentionally builds a collaborative, transparent, and supportive environment. Their 12 core characteristics guide how employees treat each other and customers. - **Flexible & Remote-Friendly**: They have no fixed daily start/end times and support working from the office in Zeeland, MI, from home, or at client locations, based on what is most productive. - **Exceptional Benefits**: - **Employee Ownership (ESOP)**: Full-time employees are immediately enrolled in an ESOP, providing a unique retirement benefit in addition to a 401k. - **Generous Time Off**: Up to 4 weeks of vacation plus 11 paid holidays. - **Parental Leave**: 2 weeks off after the birth or adoption of a child. - **Paid Impact Time**: 80 hours per year for community service, professional development, and charitable work. - **Insurance**: Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health resources. - **Team Bonding & Events**: Weekly all-team Friday lunches, two companywide offsites per year, a Christmas party, a summer picnic, and group sports sponsorships. - **Growth & Development**: Formal programs like DISHER University, educational reimbursement, individual coaching, and subject matter communities. ## Sources 1. [disher.com - Company Homepage](https://www.disher.com/) 2. [disher.com - About Us](https://www.disher.com/about/) 3. [disher.com - Careers Page](https://www.disher.com/careers/) 4. [disher.com - Our Culture Page](https://www.disher.com/our-culture/) 5. 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