Senior Product Design Engineer

Our client, a forward-thinking leader in sustainable sanitation solutions, is expanding their innovative engineering team to meet the growing global demand for hygienic systems. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned Senior Product Design Engineer to drive impactful product development efforts from concept to production, ensuring the delivery of user-centric and cost-effective solutions.

Duties:

• Lead key sections of new product development, overseeing the entire lifecycle from initial concept to manufacturing.

• Contribute to making decisions that are consistent across multiple product configurations.

• Manage the design, development, testing, validation, and performance analysis of major sub-assemblies, including BOMs and COGS.

• Develop detailed product specifications rooted in research and data, refining requirements throughout the project.

• Prototype extensively, from quick proof-of-concept builds to high-fidelity models.

• Design with the end user in mind, ensuring each decision enhances usability and user satisfaction.

• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles to select optimal materials and manufacturing processes aligned with volume, cost, and quality targets.

• Collaborate with outsourced contract manufacturers, understanding and influencing manufacturability and cost implications.

• Develop standardised testing procedures to validate new components and maintain supply chain quality.

• Investigate field failures, identify root causes, and integrate learnings into future designs.

• Manage change control for product specifications, updates, and documentation.

• Develop and maintain product manuals and provide technical support to customers, both remotely and on-site.

• Play a pivotal role in establishing the design and engineering team’s ways of working and foundational processes.

• Work collaboratively across commercial, operations, and field teams to ensure seamless product performance end-to-end.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in taking a physical product from early concept through to production within a small team environment.

• Proven ownership of a product or major sub-assembly from concept to manufacturing.

• Strong experience designing mechanical systems with clear decision rationale.

• Expertise in Mechanical Design.

• Ability to develop innovative, cost-effective, and user-friendly product solutions.

Familiarity with the following is advantageous:

• Experience working in manufacturing, design, engineering, management, or sanitary ware industries.

What We'll Give You:

• An opportunity to be part of a purpose-driven company committed to improving global sanitation.

• A collaborative hybrid work environment based in Durban, Kwa Zulu-Natal.

• Flexibility to negotiate a competitive salary package.

• The chance to influence a growing product portfolio and shape innovative solutions that make a real difference.

If you are driven to create meaningful impact through innovative product design and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative setting, we invite you to join this mission-led organization. Take the next step in your career and contribute to transforming sanitation technology for a better world.