Why Randy Chose a Career at DTS Marine
Designing What Doesn’t Exist
At DTS we do more than refine, update and improve existing products. We design, engineer, fabricate and build what doesn’t exist. For Randy, a longtime DTS Design Engineer, that challenge kept his work engaging for nearly two decades.
“One day I might be working on a hatch for a yacht,” Randy said, “The next, sliding doors combined with retracting glass. From an analytical perspective, the variety keeps my mind functional. You learn to be more creative and how to switch gears quickly.”
Engineering Luxury
Because DTS goes beyond standard engineering, customers return and others follow. They know when a need rises, we excel.
“We’ve had cases where there simply wasn’t a latch or mechanism available that would work in our application,” Randy explained. “So, we designed it ourselves.”
High standards in quality control allows us to create brand-new components from the ground up, sometimes leading to patented products like our self-dogging – latching – solution described by Randy.
And our products deliver more than just high-precision, seamless fit and smooth performance. World-class yacht builders envision elegance. We aim to over-deliver with a wow-factor.
“These are high-end parts,” Randy said. “They have to perform perfectly, but they also have to look good. Often customers choose us because we’re the only source, and other times it’s simply because our products look better.”
“What’s also rewarding is getting out on the yachts to see our products in action,” Randy added. “It’s fun watching people enjoying life using something you helped design and create.”
Engineering Meets the Shop Floor
At DTS we know great design demands collaboration between all facets of the business from design engineering through procurement and assembly. “They’re the ones putting it together, so their input is critical,” Randy said. “They know the intricacies of what's got to be done, so if I’m not sure how something will work, I go out on the floor and pick their brains.”
We want every product exiting the door knowing we put our all into it. Randy clarified, “The goal is to make sure what we design actually builds smoothly and functions the way it should – together we make designs better.”
Hearing a voice from every department and work center creates a shared responsibility and ownership that fosters a sense of pride on the part of everyone. And it starts with strong leadership. Management regularly visits the shop floor offering pivotal input, sometimes building and testing components alongside employees.
By doing the actual work, together we identify areas for improvement, generate new ideas and experience the “aha” moments that keep DTS on the leading edge.
“Dave’s been in the business for 30 plus years so he knows what needs to be done and has a real instinct for how things should look,” Randy said. “He pays attention to the details, and that matters with the kind of products we build. Great customers expect them to be pristine.”
After years with the company, Randy says the work never feels stagnant. “There’s always something new going on,” he says. “New projects, new ideas. It keeps things interesting.”
"Their input is critical. Together we make designs better.”
“There’s always something new going on,” Randy says. “New projects, new ideas. It keeps things interesting.”
Where You Live Matters
And for Randy, in addition to a good job with great people, staying in northern Michigan always has been part of the equation.
“I’ve had chances to leave, but my wife and I chose to stay,” he said. “We love this area. I grew up here and most of my family are here. We got the Great Lakes, small lakes everywhere, fishing, hunting – it’s just a fun place to live. Being able to build a career here—that matters.”
Demand Is There—People Are Key
Careers also matter to DTS. We value long-term relationships, care about our employees and try to promote from within. But ingenuity and quality products created a high demand that requires more skilled people.
“We’re not looking for work – it’s already there. We’re turning down projects, not because we don’t want them, but because we don’t have enough people. With the right people we could expand fast.”
For engineers, that translates into opportunity. If you want more than routine work—contact us. A career waits, your work matters, your input counts and your ideas help create products that enhance the boater’s experience through open-air living, beauty and performance.
And to top it off!
Check out the awesome benefit package.
Career Opportunities
Why Wait?
Schedule an interview now!
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