Sr. Specialist Engineer - Bolted Joints

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: As the Senior Specialist Engineer for Bolted Joints, you will serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for fasteners and bolted joint design within Off-Road Vehicles, with broader influence on fastener strategy and standardization across Polaris. Providing technical leadership in fastener selection, joint design, and problem-solving, this role collaborates with engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, service, and supplier partners. You will translate complex data and engineering findings into clear recommendations while building alignment and influencing technical direction across a global, matrixed organization. This position offers significant ownership of the standards, tools, and practices that improve bolted joint performance and fastener commonality across products and programs.

• Serve as the primary technical authority for fasteners and bolted joints, resolving complex issues across new product development and current production.
• Analyze complex technical data and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations for engineering, program, manufacturing, and organizational leaders.
• Evaluate deviations, drawing changes, validation activities, and other engineering changes affecting fastener or bolted joint performance, and provide technically sound recommendations.
• Review and approve bolted joint test requests, new fastener part numbers, drawings, and related technical requirements.
• Lead fastener standardization and governance, including developing and maintaining the Polaris standard fastener library to improve commonality across products and programs.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve bolted joint and fastener design guidelines, engineering standards, analysis tools, standard work, and supporting technical documentation.
• Provide technical leadership on the Polaris Engineering Critical Peer Team for Bolted Joints and Fasteners, advancing alignment, knowledge sharing, and engineering practices across the organization.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives and influence teams across functions, product groups, sites, and countries to advance bolted joint performance, standardization, and business objectives.
• Mentor engineers in bolted joint design, analysis methods, fastener selection, and application of the standard fastener library. 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
• At least 5 years of related product design, mechanical engineering, or systems engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, failure mode and effects analysis, dimensional tolerance analysis, engineering drawings, and their application to fastener engineering standards.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical data, exercise sound engineering judgment, and develop data-driven recommendations.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and build alignment across cross-functional, matrixed, and global organizations without direct authority.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, organizational skills, and the ability to manage priorities independently.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and technology partner locations.

• Experience using 3-D computer-aided design systems; experience with Creo is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Power BI or a similar data visualization tool is preferred.
• An advanced degree, experience with fasteners and bolted joint applications, or knowledge of fastener mechanics, joint behavior, clamp load, coefficient of friction, fastener strength, and torque-tension relationships is preferred.
• Experience with bolted joint analysis and validation methods, including ultrasonic measurement, torque-to-failure testing, and Skidmore testing, is preferred.
• Experience with Windchill or a similar product lifecycle management system is preferred.