Product Development Engineer

Responsibilities

• Take product concepts from working-principle definition through CAD modeling and sketching (Creo, Catia, SolidWorks, or similar), prototyping, and design validation to production release.
• Own technical design decisions: FEA, material selection, tolerance stack-up, seal calculations, and thread analysis.
• Lead DFM/DFA/DFC reviews and translate findings into manufacturable design changes.
• Create and maintain BOMs, CAD releases, and change control (Promotion Requests, Engineering Change Notices) in Windchill.
• Build and release tooling and production tech packs (2D and 3D) for suppliers.
• Propose and validate technical solutions to concept, design, and manufacturing problems as they arise.
• Partner closely with the Product Manager at every milestone gate, providing technical input and staying tightly aligned on priorities and status.
• Partner closely with the lab engineer/researcher in Hanoi on proof-of-concept testing, validation plans, and design iteration based on lab findings.
• Work directly with domestic and overseas suppliers on RFQs, supplier qualification, tooling timelines, and Alpha/Beta/Golden sample reviews.
• Collaborate with industrial designers, sourcing, and factories to translate concepts into real, manufacturable products.
• Review and sign off on supplier submissions, including dimensional reports, PPAP, control plans, and work instructions.
• Support Quality with traceability requirements, defect definitions, and inspection criteria.
• Travel to factories and supplier sites, up to approximately 30% of the time, concentrated during key project phases (tooling, pilot production, line trials).

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field; Master’s a plus.
• 3–5+ years of hands-on product design/development experience, from concept through mass production, ideally on physical/consumer products.
• Required Skills:
  • Strong technical instincts, comfortable proposing and defending engineering solutions to concept, design, and production problems.
  • Positive, hands-on attitude with an inquisitive, self-directed approach to problem-solving.
  • Flexible and collaborative; works well with multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent communication skills for working closely with a remote lab/research partner and global suppliers.
  • Cultural awareness and willingness to work across global time zones (Hanoi, Baltimore, and supplier locations).
  • Strong data-gathering and analytical skills.
  • Good sense of humor.

Preferred Skills

• Strong CAD proficiency (Creo, Catia, SolidWorks, or Fusion 360) including concept sketching and part/assembly modeling; Creo experience a plus.
• Experience with Windchill for BOM management, change control, and PDM workflows is a nice plus.
• Strong experience with plastic part design; hands-on injection molding experience is important.
• Familiarity with other manufacturing processes (extrusion, stamping, bonding, assembly) across materials such as plastic, silicone, steel, and glass is a plus.
• Proven track record working directly with domestic and international suppliers and factories, including supplier qualification and on-site support during tooling and production ramp-up.
• Experience collaborating with industrial designers to bring concepts to production-ready designs.
• Willing to travel to factories/suppliers, domestically and internationally, up to approximately 20 to 30% of the time, concentrated during key project phases.