Product Development Engineer; Contractor

Product Development Engineer (Contractor)

About RentACoop

RentACoop is a rapidly growing small business with roots on a working farm in Germantown, Maryland. As we continue to expand nationally and globally across multiple product lines and sales channels, we remain grounded in the values that shaped our founding: innovation, integrity, and a deep respect for animals and their caregivers.

Our mission is to design and manufacture practical, high-quality solutions that simplify and enhance the experience of raising chickens and small animals. From hands-on product development to daily operations, our team is united by a shared passion for creating tools that are both functional and thoughtfully designed.

We are proud to lead with purpose across our expanding family of brands:

• RentACoop - Innovative, durable solutions for backyard chicken keepers
• RAC Paws by RentACoop - Enrichment and care products for small animals

Our products are inspired by real-world use and tested in real environments. We believe that raising animals can be a transformative experience for families and communities, and we actively support schools, youth programs, and nonprofits across the U.S. through product donations and educational partnerships.

Position Overview

RentACoop is seeking a hands-on Product Development Engineer (Contractor) to help bring new product ideas and product improvements from concept through Golden Sample approval and into production.

This role is ideal for a technically strong, execution-oriented engineer who enjoys turning consumer product concepts into real, manufacturable, and well-tested physical products. While a Product Manager will lead idea generation and product strategy, the Product Development Engineer will be responsible for how those ideas become reality, owning CAD development, prototyping, testing, tooling refinement, and technical communication with manufacturers.

The ideal candidate is both analytical and practical, comfortable working with domestic and overseas factories, and excited by the challenge of building durable, functional, and appealing products for animals and their caregivers. This is a long-term contractor role (approximately 10 hours per week on average) for someone who enjoys being deeply involved in the full product development lifecycle.

Because real-world testing is core to our culture, this role requires access to backyard chickens (or a willingness to keep a small flock, with RentACoop providing support and equipment).

Key Responsibilities

• Translate approved product concepts and requirements into detailed CAD models and technical specifications.
• Develop and iterate physical prototypes using 3D printing and other rapid prototyping methods.
• Design for manufacturability (DFM), ensuring parts are optimized for tooling, durability, and assembly, as we designed for cost effectiveness.
• Lead functional, durability, and usability testing in real-world environments (including testing with chickens and small animals).
• Own tooling feedback and revision cycles with mold makers and manufacturers.
• Serve as RentACoop's technical representative in communications with overseas factories, working closely with the Product and Supply Chain team.
• Review and approve pre-production samples and Golden Samples against functional and quality standards.
• Participate in early product concept and review meetings to understand customer needs, use cases, and performance goals.
• Document test results, design revisions, and lessons learned for future product generations
• Support timeline management by flagging technical risks and ensuring development milestones are met.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Product Development Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or similar role focused on consumer physical products.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD. (e.g., Solid Works, Fusion 360, Creo, or similar). Company currently utilizes Fusion 360 as part of Auto Desk
• Hands-on experience with prototyping (3D printing, sample fabrication, materials testing).
• Working knowledge of injection molding and basic metal fabrication processes, sufficient to lead technical discussions with mold makers and manufacturers and guide tooling revisions.
• Practical understanding of tooling, tolerances, and factory production processes.
• Experience communicating directly with manufacturers and mold makers
• Ability to evaluate and test third-party components (e.g., electrical, heating, materials) against performance requirements.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple development timelines simultaneously.
• Clear, professional communicator able to work cross-functionally with Product and Supply Chain teams
• Passion for building products that are not only functional, but also intuitive and well-designed for end users.
• Access to backyard chickens (or willingness to establish a small flock with company support) for real-world product testing.

Engagement & Working Style

• Contractor role (approximately 10 hours per week on average).
• Long-term partnership model, with…