Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology has named Doug Enns director of the New Product Development Center.

Enns has over 35 years of experience in engineering leadership, product development, manufacturing and technical consulting. His appointment also marks a return to OSU, where he previously spent 16 years helping Oklahoma manufacturers solve engineering challenges and improve their competitiveness.

For Enns, the opportunity to lead NPDC brings together many of the things that have defined his career.

“NPDC’s mission aligns closely with what I’ve enjoyed most throughout my career: helping companies become more competitive by solving technical problems and developing successful products,” Enns said. “Returning to OSU and bringing back what I’ve learned in industry felt like a natural next step.”

Enns previously served in OSU’s Applications Engineering Program from 1999-2015, eventually becoming program manager and senior applications engineer. The program provided engineering consulting and technology transfer services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers throughout Oklahoma.

“We are excited to welcome Doug back to Oklahoma State,” said Dr. Ed Kirtley, associate dean of Engineering Extension. “He already understands OSU, CEAT and the important role our Extension programs play in serving Oklahoma. He is returning with an even broader perspective after years of working directly with manufacturers and business owners, and that experience will be valuable as we look to strengthen NPDC’s impact across the state.”

After leaving OSU, Enns expanded his private-sector experience, including founding Stillwater-based Situs Engineering. Through the company, he provided engineering and product development services to more than 130 clients across a variety of industries.

That experience gave Enns an even greater understanding of the challenges businesses encounter when developing products, including limited engineering resources, time and funding.

“Many companies have good ideas and a strong understanding of their markets but limited engineering resources, time or funding,” Enns said. “They often need help determining the next step and identifying which questions to answer before investing more resources.”

As director, Enns wants NPDC to become the go-to resource for Oklahoma companies seeking to develop new products or improve existing products and processes.

NPDC, an extension unit within CEAT, provides engineering services to inventors, entrepreneurs and manufacturers, helping move ideas from concept toward commercialization. Its work also provides OSU students opportunities to gain practical engineering experience while working on real-world projects.

Enns sees that combination of industry service and student development as an important part of NPDC’s impact.

“I’ve seen how much difference the right engineering support can make for a business, and NPDC allows us to provide that support while helping develop the next generation of engineers,” Enns said. “Students get to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real projects, and Oklahoma companies benefit from their work. Bringing those two opportunities together is especially meaningful to me.”

Enns said one of NPDC’s greatest opportunities is reaching more of Oklahoma’s small- and medium-sized manufacturers that may not have extensive engineering resources of their own. Strengthening partnerships across OSU, with state agencies and economic development organizations, will be important to connecting those businesses with the resources they need.

He also sees NPDC’s work as an important extension of OSU’s land-grant mission.

“A company’s size should not determine its ability to develop a successful product,” Enns said. “OSU can bridge that gap by providing access to engineering expertise, specialized equipment, faculty knowledge and student talent that would be difficult or cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses to maintain in-house.”

Enns’ connection to manufacturing began long before his engineering career. He grew up in Hesston, Kansas, a town of less than 3,000 people where agricultural equipment manufacturer Hesston Corporation was a major employer. Seeing the impact a successful manufacturer could have on an entire community helped drive his career and his commitment to manufacturing.

As he begins his new role, Enns said his priority is to listen to NPDC staff, students, clients and partners and to understand the center’s existing commitments, strengths and opportunities.

He also looks forward to being part of the OSU community again.

“OSU was a significant part of my professional life,” Enns said. “Early in my career here, I saw firsthand how the university’s people and resources could help Oklahoma companies succeed. Returning to this role allows me to contribute to that work again, with a broader perspective and a better understanding of what businesses need.”

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