Product Development Associate

Company Overview

We’re a mid‑sized medical device contract manufacturer, which means you get the best of both worlds: meaningful work in a regulated environment without the layers of bureaucracy you’ll find at larger organizations.

Here, your ideas don’t get lost in an approval chain. Team members are encouraged to provide feedback, share suggestions, and directly see the impact of their work on processes, products, and outcomes. What you contribute matters, and you can see it come to life.

Because we’re still growing and evolving, we don’t have overly rigid structures for everything, which creates a strong opportunity for individuals who enjoy building, improving, and solving problems. If you’re someone who is comfortable rolling up your sleeves, taking ownership, and helping shape how things are done, you’ll thrive here.

We do best with people who are curious, hands‑on, and motivated to learn and grow. In return, you’ll gain exposure across functions, develop new skills quickly, and have a direct role in improving how we operate.

Product Development Associate – Corporate Headquarters, Blaine, MN. Full‑time. Salary: $60,000 – $72,000 per year. Travel up to 25%.

This role plays a pivotal part in our success by quoting and onboarding new contract cut‑and‑sew and RF welding customers. The associate collaborates with manufacturing professionals to build high‑quality products in the USA.

• Develop customer quote packages, bills of materials (BOMs), product specifications, work instructions, and standardized manufacturing processes for new products.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during product development, maintaining professional and timely communication with customers throughout the quoting, development, sampling, and production readiness process.
• Conduct preliminary cost analyses and feasibility assessments using customer pricing targets, labor estimates, material costs, and manufacturing requirements.
• Build and evaluate prototypes and samples, collect cycle‑time data, and assess product designs for manufacturability, quality, efficiency, and cost optimization.
• Coordinate and support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring accurate and timely transfer of product requirements, specifications, and manufacturing documentation to production and support teams.
• Assist in developing and delivering training for new products, processes, and manufacturing methods to production and overhead staff.
• Manage multiple product development, quoting, and implementation projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and driving progress to meet established timelines and customer expectations.
• Create, modify, and maintain digital pattern files, technical drawings, and product documentation using applicable CAD and design software.
• Support the evaluation, implementation, and onboarding of new technologies, materials, equipment, and manufacturing capabilities to expand contract manufacturing opportunities.
• Maintain accurate project records, development timelines, status reports, and technical documentation; regularly communicate project updates, risks, and strategic recommendations to leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Develop and maintain standardized workflows, process documentation, and manufacturing instructions to support successful product launches and production scalability.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Business Development teams to ensure new products meet customer requirements, quality standards, and operational objectives.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on product design, manufacturing efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Development, Textile Technology, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• 2 years of soft goods production design and/or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Knowledge of textile materials, sewing construction methods, and manufacturing processes used in the development and production of soft goods and sewn products.
• Working knowledge of CAD,…