Product Developer; consumer hard goods

Job

Position Title:

Product Developer

Department:
Production

Reports to:

Head of Production

Employment type:

Full-time / Exempt

Office location:
Framingham, MA (in-office 5 days)

Travel:
Periodic travel to China and Vietnam (roughly once per quarter)

52 Launch is a full-service design and technology that takes unique product ideas from concept to market. We partner with entrepreneurs and growing businesses to handle every step: industrial design, sourcing, manufacturing, branding, and marketing; all integrated, all in-house. Our clients come to us because they are ready to execute, and they stay because we deliver. If you're looking for a place where the work is tangible, the team is sharp, and no two projects look the same, you'll find it here.

52 Launch is seeking a versatile and highly organized Product Developer to manage products from initial concept through production. This individual will work across a wide variety of product categories and manufacturing processes while coordinating clients, designers, engineers, suppliers, and factories.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who can manage many projects simultaneously, create and maintain detailed project plans, anticipate risks, and keep programs moving forward on schedule and within budget.

• Manage multiple product development projects from concept through prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and production.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and critical paths.
• Coordinate activities among clients, designers, engineers, sourcing team, suppliers, and factories.
• Translate product concepts and design requirements into clear technical specifications and production-ready documentation.
• Identify appropriate manufacturing processes, materials, suppliers, and production methods for each project.
• Manage products involving processes such as injection molding, blow molding, sewing and soft goods construction, metal fabrication, machining, finishing, assembly, and electronics manufacturing.
• Review prototypes, samples, technical drawings, bills of materials, and supplier quotations.
• Identify project risks and resolve technical, quality, cost, scheduling, and manufacturing issues.
• Evaluate product designs for manufacturability, performance, quality, cost, and scalability.
• Coordinate product testing, quality standards, inspections, compliance requirements, and corrective actions.
• Communicate project status, priorities, challenges, and next steps clearly to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Travel internationally to China approximately two to three times per year to visit factories, review projects, evaluate suppliers, and oversee development and production activities; establish new relationships by meeting factory leaders in person and agreeing upon project manufacturing parameters.

• Proficiency with Click Up project management software
• Ability to keep a large portfolio of projects organized and moving forward
• Resolution of development and manufacturing challenges
• Effective and efficient communication with clients and suppliers
• Delivery of high-quality products that meet performance, cost, timing, and production requirements

• At least 3-5 years of experience in product development, manufacturing, engineering, sourcing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple product development projects at the same time.
• Strong knowledge of a broad range of manufacturing processes, including molding, sewing and soft goods production, metal fabrication, and electronics…