R&D Engineer
R&D Engineer
FlexiForce EMEA (ASSA ABLOY) — Barneveld, NL
Build the next generation of advanced hardware & automation systems for industrial and residential overhead doors.
FlexiForce, part of ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, is the global leader in hardware, systems and automation for sectional overhead doors. Our products power millions of doors worldwide — keeping businesses moving, homes secure and people safe.
To strengthen our central R&D organisation in Barneveld, we’re looking for an R&D Project Engineer who combines strong mechanical engineering with creativity, business awareness and a passion for product innovation.
Why this role matters
As an R&D Project Engineer, you own the development of new components and system solutions that define FlexiForce’s future product platform. You convert market insights into engineering concepts, drive VA/VE improvements, and ensure that our products meet the highest standards of safety, reliability and manufacturability.
Your work directly shapes our innovation roadmap, strengthens our competitive position, and influences solutions used in more than 50 countries.
What you will do
Design & develop mechanical components and assemblies
- Engineer mechanical systems used in overhead door hardware and automation.
- Build robust and clean 3D CAD models, assemblies and production drawings.
- Work with manufacturing engineering to ensure designs are scalable for global production.
Solve complex technical and system-level problems
- Conduct root cause analyses, simulations and physical tests.
- Develop technically sound solutions balancing safety, cost, performance and user requirements.
Lead development projects from concept to production
- Translate ideas, customer feedback and market needs into clearly defined development projects.
- Drive project execution, coordinate cross-functional stakeholders and ensure on-time delivery.
- Own engineering documentation, risk assessments, validation plans and release processes.
Turn customer insights into impactful solutions (VoC → Innovation Pipeline)
- Gather, analyse and translate Voice of Customer, field feedback and product performance data into actionable engineering requirements.
- Work closely with Product Management and Sales to identify unmet needs, market trends and opportunities.
- Build early-stage concepts and feasibility studies that feed the innovation pipeline and future product platform.
Drive Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives
- Analyse cost drivers, materials, tolerances and manufacturing methods to optimize performance, cost, and sustainability.
- Redesign existing components for improved value, durability and manufacturability.
- Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners to explore alternative production methods and technologies.
Ensure compliance, testing and safety
- Coordinate CE compliance, EN standards interpretation, certification and external testing.
- Develop test plans in cooperation with the test engineering team and interpret test results to improve designs.
Collaborate across the global organisation
- Work closely with Product Management, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Quality and Sales.
- Engage in global engineering exchanges across the ASSA ABLOY group to leverage best practices and technologies.
What you bring
Technical background
- Bachelor or Master in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or similar.
- Strong foundation in mechanical design, materials, tolerancing and load behaviour.
- Solid experience with 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
- Experience in product development, machinery, moving systems or building/industrial products.
Mindset & capabilities
- Curious, hands-on and able to move from concept thinking to practical execution.
- Strong analytical capability and structured approach to decision-making.
- Can simplify complex problems and communicate clearly across functions.
- Proactive, independent and comfortable with ownership.
- Strong collaborator who thrives in multidisciplinary teams.
Nice to have (not required)
- Experience with VA/VE or cost-down engineering.
- Familiarity with CE/EN norms, product safety or certification processes.
- Exposure to FEA, simulation, prototyping or test engineering.
- Experience with PDM/PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter).
- Knowledge of electrical operators and such
What we offer
- Impact: Your designs will be used globally in mission-critical systems.
- Innovation ownership: You help shape the technology and product roadmap.
- Autonomy: Real project responsibility and end-to-end involvement.
- Growth: Clear paths toward Senior Engineer, Project Leader or System Architect.
- Culture: A pragmatic, international, no-nonsense team with a “just do it” mentality.
- Global network: Collaboration within the broader ASSA ABLOY engineering community.
We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.
As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.
As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.
