Product Development Engineer

About HSM

Founded in 1944, HSM is a third generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery.

HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

• Product Design and Development
  • Design and develop components, assemblies, and engineered product solutions.
  • Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and other technical documentation.
  • Develop functional prototypes using additive manufacturing and 3D-printing technologies.
  • Translate customer and business requirements into practical, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs.
  • Apply Design for Manufacturability, Design for Assembly, and Design for Cost principles.
  • Select appropriate materials, finishes, and manufacturing methods based on product requirements and production capabilities.
  • Manage engineering changes, product revisions, and configuration‑controlled documentation.
• Product Validation and Launch
  • Lead assigned product‑development activities from initial concept through prototyping, validation, production launch, and ongoing support.
  • Partner with Process Engineering to optimize designs for tooling capability, process repeatability, manufacturability, and long‑term production stability.
  • Support prototype builds, validation testing, first‑article inspections, pilot production, and production‑readiness activities.
  • Participate in APQP activities, including design reviews, DFMEAs, PFMEAs, Control Plans, PPAP documentation, and launch‑readiness reviews.
  • Evaluate product performance through testing, capability studies, validation activities, and customer feedback.
• Customer, Supplier, and Team Collaboration
  • Serve as the primary engineering contact for assigned products.
  • Collaborate with customers, tooling suppliers, material suppliers, and manufacturing partners to develop robust production solutions.
  • Participate in technical meetings, supplier evaluations, design reviews, and engineering‑change discussions.
  • Resolve technical and supplier‐related concerns through engineering analysis, root‑cause identification, and corrective action.
  • Communicate technical information clearly to customers, suppliers, leadership, and cross‑functional teams.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation
  • Lead improvement initiatives focused on product performance, quality, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and customer satisfaction.
  • Identify opportunities for material optimization, tooling enhancements, value engineering, and manufacturing efficiencies.
  • Research emerging materials, additive‑manufacturing methods, production technologies, and engineering best practices.
  • Recommend solutions that improve functionality, sustainability, quality, and overall customer value.
  • Support advanced product‑development initiatives, technology roadmaps, and new business opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least five years of engineering experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, or new product development within a manufacturing environment; seven or more years preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading new products from concept through validation and production launch.
• Experience managing multiple engineering projects and competing priorities.
• Experience supporting prototype development, pilot production, first‑article inspections, design validation, and production launches.
• Working knowledge of APQP tools and methodologies, including design reviews, DFMEA, PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans,…