Design Engineer - Road Bikes
Role Summary
The Specialized Freiburg office is looking for a Design Engineer in our Road Bike team to help craft the worlds' best bicycles in ways the rider has never envisioned. In this role you'll lead bicycle frame and part designs from conception to production. You'll use your expertise in mechanical systems, two-wheel dynamics, and statics to make products better & safer while pushing the bounds of what performance means. You'll help make the world's best road bikes even better.
How You’ll Make a Difference
- Successfully deliver engineering projects as assigned by the Engineering Manager, ensuring alignment with performance, timing, and innovation objectives
- Drive strong cross-functional collaboration with R&D, design engineers, industrial designers, development engineers, quality engineers, project managers, testing teams, and riders—ensuring seamless integration of requirements and fast iteration cycles
- Actively contribute to new ideas, concepts, and innovative technical solutions, pushing the boundaries of performance, integration, and rider experience
- Create high-quality 3D models in CREO for new product developments; collaborate closely with internal teams and manufacturing partners to iterate through structured design reviews
- Own and release complete 2D drawings for all parts and assemblies, ensuring manufacturability and clarity
- Develop and execute test plans, analyze results, and proactively diagnose and resolve lab and field failures
What You’ll Need to Win
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with 3+ years of progressively advanced product engineering experience
- Strong understanding of the end-to-end bicycle design and development process, from concept to production
- Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, contributing to products that meet performance, quality, timing, and innovation targets
- Demonstrated mindset and track record of innovation—developing new concepts, challenging assumptions, and improving existing solutions
- Experience in one or more of the following key areas:
- Lightweight design
- Aerodynamic optimization (strongly preferred)
- Simulation and structural analysis
- Suspension frame and fork design
- E-bike systems and electronics
- Complex mechanisms
- Cargo integration
- Composite (carbon) or alloy frame/component design
- Hands-on experience with aerodynamics development is a strong plus, including:
- Wind tunnel testing and data interpretation
- CFD tools (e.g., CCM+, OpenFOAM, OpenFoil or equivalent)
- Ability to translate aerodynamic insights into practical design improvements
- Experience leading engineering projects while mentoring or supporting other engineers
- Experience working with international teams and suppliers; willingness to travel
- Proficiency in CAD software (Pro/E Creo preferred) and strong general IT skills (MS Office, Outlook)
- Solid understanding of manufacturing techniques used in the bicycle industry
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and networking skills
- Strong hands-on engineering mindset, including:
- Bicycle assembly, repair, and maintenance
- Workshop skills (lathe, milling, welding, prototyping tools)
