Exploring Engineering Careers at the Forefront of Innovation

Through engineering, these innovative ideas become tangible products, solutions and systems. That’s why it’s essential to foster creativity and support the problem-solvers as they dream big and reimagine what’s possible.

Engineering is a multifaceted field encompassing numerous disciplines, and these various types of engineering jobs are essential to our operations. "Because engineering is a highly diverse field, choosing a discipline can be intimidating at first," says Luca W., SLP – Advanced Engineering. "But that also means it offers countless opportunities."

Casey M., Lead Engineer, Product Design Engineering, echoes this sentiment: "A career in engineering provides multiple career pathways. I really enjoy my career in product development, but I don’t have to stay in this field forever," she shares. "And thanks to the breadth of the Company, I know I could pursue other areas of the business as well."  

Each area of expertise is essential to our operations, and engineers from different fields often collaborate as they innovate. "We work very closely with other teams, and collaboration helps me understand different processes and analysis tools," Jacky W., Product Lifecycle Engineering Lead, says. “Through this collaboration, I get to learn how to conduct evaluations from different viewpoints, like identifying potential risks.”

Not only does this interdisciplinary interaction give engineers insights into different areas, but it can also help people discover their optimal roles. "At Stanley Black & Decker, there’s an emphasis on continuous learning and cross-functional collaboration," explains Afaque N., Senior Project Engineer. "This allows engineers to explore various career trajectories, whether it's advancing technical expertise or moving into management."

The Benefits of Working in Engineering at a Fortune 500 Company

Careers at a Fortune 500 Company like Stanley Black & Decker offer numerous benefits that might not be available elsewhere. As an international organization, our teams of engineers comprise the full scope of engineering fields. While each discipline offers its own unique set of benefits, our engineers are united in their dedication to innovation and the pursuit of a better world.  

1. Seeing Their Work in Stores and on Jobsites

Product engineers can walk into major retailers and see the tools and solutions they designed sitting on the shelf. "Working at an established company with innovation at its core has let me flex my skillset while still having room to grow," Casey says. “Launching exciting products and seeing them in stores brings me a lot of joy.”

Giridhar I., Senior Product Engineer, expanded on this idea. “Working for a world-class product brand like Stanley Black & Decker is the best thing you can do as an engineer,” he says. “The diversity of tools, projects, people and processes is a unique experience.”

Because our products are used globally, our engineers' innovations have the unique potential to have a far-reaching impact. As one of the engineers working on the DEWALT® POWERSHIFT™ System, Frank R., Lead Mechanical Project Engineer, has firsthand experience with the power of product innovation and its potential to shape the future.  

“Our strong focus on the user experience has given us a better understanding of how our tools are used in the real world,” he explains. “By providing creative solutions to jobsite challenges and advancing the technology in our products, we're not just delivering the highest quality tools in the industry. We're giving users what they want. Powered by cordless batteries, the DEWALT® POWERSHIFT™ System has unlocked new possibilities for our products.”

Donut P., Quality Engineer, discussed how engineering affects consumer trust in a company. “Product quality is essential to building trust with our end-users,” he states. “In my job, I work proactively to find innovative ways to ensure our products meet our standards and align with global trends. That's how I'm helping us put quality first.”

Before joining the Company, Alessandro B., Mechanical Engineer, had experience using our tools and products. "I grew up using our tools, and now I have the opportunity to design new products,” he says. “By introducing new technology into our products, I'm helping make our tools easier to use, safer and more efficient.”

However, the work of our engineers doesn’t end once the products are launched. Jacky, who works in product lifecycle engineering, explains: “Mature product management is key to business success. Through boundaryless collaboration and the use of 3D design, 2D language and research, I’m expanding my knowledge base while ensuring product quality and sustainability.”

2. Invaluable Resources and an International Network of Support

Along with the pride of seeing their projects in real-world settings, other benefits include access to tools and resources, career development programs and a global network. "Being part of an international Company provides access to a wealth of resources, including state-of-the-art technology, professional development programs and a global network of experts," says Afaque. "These resources enable me to contribute to impactful projects with wide-reaching influence."  

Luca emphasizes the value of having access to a large internal network of coworkers worldwide. "When you are working on a technical project, you are always faced with setbacks or questions that are initially inexplicable," he says. "But thanks to the large internal network you have here, you always know you can get advice from colleagues, whether national or international."  

Working at an established Company also provides invaluable institutional knowledge and a stable environment for young engineers to develop, learn and grow. "Stanley Black & Decker has been around for over a hundred years. With that amount of professional knowledge, young engineers have great opportunities to grow quickly," Jacky explains.  

Other engineers emphasize the potential to make a difference in people’s everyday lives. "Safety and innovation are integral parts of the organizational culture here," says Priscila A., EHS Coordinator. "As an engineer, I’m able to implement proactive tools to promote health and safety in the workplace and ensure quality of life for our employees. That kind of impact is so rewarding!”

3. Driving Progress: Creating a Culture of Innovation

A culture where engineers can explore ideas is important. Investing in spaces where engineers can innovate is crucial.  

“The freedom to explore our thoughts and ideas, with a balance of pragmatism, is why innovation thrives in our organization's culture. It’s why I found my Ikigai (Purpose) working here,” says Giridhar. “Recently, I collaborated on a product with engineers around the world. It pushed my boundaries in technical design further than ever before. I won an internal award for my work — the first winner from my team in India.”

For Donut, working with new procedures and systems is the foundation of his career development. “From my experience in Quality Engineering, I've been exposed to new knowledge and manufacturing processes as I work proactively to improve product quality,” he shares. “This has given me deep technical abilities that I can build on for future projects.”

"Working here, you’re exposed to a wide range of future-oriented technologies daily," Luca says. "What I love most about my job is the variety. My working day ranges from documentation work in the office to exciting research in the lab. As a developer, I’m faced with new challenges every day."  

Priscila also enjoys solving complex problems in her day-to-day work. "Along with conducting safety inspections, I spend a lot of time talking with employees and managers to identify improvement opportunities,” she explains. “I love my job because I get to see the positive impact on our employees’ lives."  

Developing cross-functional relationships is another critical aspect of our culture of innovation. "On a daily basis, I’m working with my own team and several others to make progress on active projects," says Casey. "I’m often looking at testing results to make decisions about our next steps and working through any problems that arise as a team manager."

Supporting the next generation of engineers is vital for ensuring continued innovation and addressing future global challenges. As technology rapidly evolves, fresh perspectives and new ideas are essential to drive advancements and develop new technologies. Showing tomorrow’s engineers the impact of engineering on society is paramount. Our engineers shared their advice for people interested in the field or about to embark on their engineering journey.  

"To do this type of work, you need to be curious and understand that there’s always something new to learn," Alessandro says.

"Explore different job responsibilities, especially ones that may not be obvious," Casey advises. "And stay organized. That’s a skill that will serve you well throughout your entire career, no matter what role you ultimately take."  

“Engineers just out of college have endless potential waiting to be unearthed,” says Giridhar. “Having patience is key in the initial stages of a career, as you grow and work your way up the ladder.”

Several engineers emphasized the importance of seeking out mentors — whether informally or as part of our Stanley Black & Decker Leadership Program (SLP). "Never stop learning. Be proactive in seeking out mentors and projects that challenge you," Priscila says.  

Luca shared more about his participation in the SLP. "The SLP connects you with colleagues from around the world "You learn from them and work through problems and challenges. This is important, especially for entry-level engineers,” he explains.  “The difference between theoretical and practical knowledge can become overwhelming. Working through this with a mentor, discussing situations and topics, is important."