Product Development Engineer

The Pond Guy / Airmax, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of pond, lake, and water garden products, including aeration systems, fountains, and water treatments. We sell nationwide to both end-users and a network of distributors.

About the role

As a Product Development Engineer, you will lead new products from concept through production launch while identifying opportunities to improve existing products. You'll turn customer needs, product opportunities, and engineering challenges into practical solutions that can be built, tested, manufactured, and scaled. This is a hands-on role where you'll work across mechanical design, prototyping, testing, validation, supplier collaboration, DFMA, and production readiness. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance performance, quality, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Own multiple product development projects, leading products from concept through prototype, testing, validation, and production launch
• Work directly with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external engineering partners to support product development, validation, manufacturability, and production launch
• Serve as technical lead for assigned projects, ensuring strong design execution, manufacturability (DFMA), and production readiness
• Design mechanical components and assemblies in SolidWorks, ensuring performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost targets are met
• Lead and facilitate design reviews, ensuring design alignment with performance, quality, and product requirements
• Build and iterate prototypes using in-house equipment, including a full machine shop and multiple 3D printing machines, performing testing and validation through structured plans and real-world evaluation
• Improve existing products by using structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, testing, and competitive benchmarking to improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost
• Provide engineering and technical support across multiple business entities and intercompany operations as needed
• Demonstrate ownership, curiosity, and persistence while identifying opportunities for product and process innovation

Requirements

• Engineering bachelor’s degree; mechanical engineering preferred
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in developing physical/mechanical products within an engineering discipline
• Proven experience applying mechanical engineering principles, knowledge of materials science, manufacturing processes, and tools in product engineering
• Demonstrated experience taking physical products from concept through prototype, testing, validation, and production launch
• Experience developing products involving pumps, motors, fluid handling, rotating equipment, electromechanical systems, outdoor power equipment, appliances, industrial equipment, or similar mechanical systems is strongly preferred
• Inquisitive mindset with a passion for exploring new ideas and approaches
• Demonstrated ability to build strong connections by seeking input and fostering open dialogue
• Creative thinking and persistence in finding solutions to complex problems
• Experience with various manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, metal forming, injection molding, welding/joining, extrusion, etc.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and/or similar 3D-modeling software
• Solid understanding of GD&T

Skills

• Approaches challenges with curiosity, resourcefulness, and a solutions-focused mindset
• Willing to dig in, understand why something doesn't work, and find a better solution
• High degree of interaction with engineers, technicians, managers, leads, and other departments (Purchasing, Production, Customer Service, etc.)
• Strong organization, follow-up, and communication skills

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity for typing, sitting at a desk, and looking at a computer screen for long periods
• Ability to swim
• Perform repetitive motions for extended periods
• Manual dexterity when working with small components
• Frequently bend, stoop, and stand for long durations
• Lift, lower, and carry packages typically weighing 25–50 lbs; handle packages up to 150 lbs with assistance
• Work in adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain

Schedule

Full-time, salaried position. Candidates must be available to work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, with the occasional Saturday work as needed.

Benefits

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Insurance
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision Insurance
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday pay effective immediately (8 holidays recognized)
• 401k with employer 4% match and revenue sharing
• Employee referral program with opportunities to earn up to $2,500 per referral
• Additional Training Programs: Career Development and Department Shadows

About the Company

TPG, Inc. is a growing company with over 160 employees. We are a manufacturing company for pond, lake, and water garden supplies with customers in all 50 states servicing both wholesale and end-users. Our mission is to help the world enjoy ponds by being passionate, knowledgeable, and providing innovative solutions. TPG, Inc. encompasses a family of businesses to support customers in all pond aspects: Airmax, Inc. (business-to-business and manufacturing), The Pond Guy, Inc. (direct-to-consumer), and The Pond Guy, Inc. local services division.