R&D Mechanical Engineer at Traeger Grills

Welcome To The Traegerhood:

Our business is BBQ, and business tastes good. Traeger invented the wood pellet grill over 30 years ago, and we’ve been revolutionizing outdoor cooking ever since. We’re a team of disruptors, innovators, problem solvers, and food fanatics who are dedicated to bringing people together to create a more flavorful world. From our headquarters in Salt Lake City and beyond, we work tirelessly to provide a world-class experience to our customers, retailers, and especially our employees. If you’re a team player who’s dedicated to delivering top-quality results every day, then we want you to come cook with us!

Traeger is seeking a highly technical, creative Mechanical Engineer to join our APRD team in Salt Lake City, UT. This role is designed for an engineer who is not only capable of solving complex problems but who thrives on becoming a subject matter expert in emerging technologies, transforming ideas into reality through design, prototyping, and innovation.

You will be responsible for creating and building new solutions during the advanced development phase and ensuring their successful handoff to execution teams. This includes conceiving and fabricating prototypes that bring concepts to life, clearly demonstrating design intent and engineering vision. From there, you will develop detailed technical documentation that enables seamless transition into production.

This role requires more than execution—it demands an innovator, builder, and creator. You will lead technical problem solving, push boundaries with new technologies, and bring a maker’s mindset to everything you do.

How You Will Help Us Win:

• Translate consumer insights and research into tangible product innovations that fuel Traeger’s pipeline and deliver best-in-class consumer experiences.

• Serve as a subject matter expert for new technologies, materials, and methods, establishing technical leadership within the organization.

• Drive the creation of prototypes—ranging from rough mock-ups to precision builds—that communicate vision, function, and manufacturability.

• Lead advanced development projects through R&D, validation, and transition into execution teams.

• Apply rigorous engineering analysis (mechanical statics/dynamics, mechanisms, FEA, CFD, cost, and material selection) to inform design decisions.

• Champion agile, iterative development methods to ensure speed without sacrificing quality.

• Partner with internal teams, external suppliers, and global resources to develop prototypes and ensure manufacturability.

• Influence cross-functional teams by integrating process improvements, best practices, and technical excellence into the development cycle.

• Manage a diverse portfolio of projects, ensuring they meet cost, quality, and timeline goals.

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

• 5–10 years of experience in product development, preferably with consumer products.

• Proven ability to create, design, and build—from concept sketches to working prototypes.

• Strong background in Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA) and cost-conscious product development.

• Advanced skills in CAD (SolidWorks preferred), including solid, surface, and sheet metal modeling.

• Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication using both hand tools and machine tools.

• Strong analytical skills with experience in mechanical analysis, FEA, and CFD.

• Track record of technical innovation, with patents or novel product contributions preferred.

• Comfortable leading as a technical SME while collaborating cross-functionally across disciplines (SW, FW, EE, ID, Quality, Operations).

• Experience working with international suppliers and the ability to travel as needed.

• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and driven by curiosity, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Why You Will Love To Work Here:

• Be part of the most disruptive force in outdoor cooking
• Join a true team working towards a common goal
• Culture of risk-taking, innovation & quality
• So. Much. Food.
• Have an outdoor lover’s paradise in your backyard
• Full medical/dental/vision packages to fit your needs
• 401K to help you plan for the future
• Tuition reimbursement
• Individual professional development programs & initiatives to help you grow professionally
• Great discounts on all things Traeger
• Did we mention all the food?