Product Engineer

Product Engineer

Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones' products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 1,400 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years.

As a key member of the Product Development and Supply Chain ecosystem, this role serves as the central technical expert responsible for developing, managing, and communicating comprehensive product specifications across apparel and hard goods categories.

You will translate product concepts, from garments and decorated apparel to awards, jewelry, and promotional hard goods, into clear, detailed, and supplier-ready technical documentation.

This role partners closely with Product Management, Procurement, and global suppliers to ensure all product specifications are manufacturable, cost-effective, and consistent with quality and brand standards. You will play a critical role in reducing ambiguity, improving supplier execution, and accelerating speed to market across diverse product types.

What You'll Be Doing On A Daily Basis:

• Create and maintain detailed tech packs for apparel (including measurements, grading rules, stitch construction, fabric specs, trims, artwork placement, and care labeling).
• Develop technical specifications for hard goods (materials, coatings, finishes, tolerances, assembly instructions, and packaging requirements).
• Build and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) for multi-component products.
• Partner with Product Management to convert concepts, sketches, and samples into production-ready documentation.
• Work closely with Procurement during supplier selection and sourcing events to clarify technical requirements.
• Review supplier samples (proto, fit, pre-production) to ensure adherence to specifications and provide technical feedback.
• Collaborate with suppliers to validate materials, construction methods, and production feasibility.
• Ensure all specifications meet regulatory, safety, and compliance standards (e.g., labeling, material restrictions, durability).
• Manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and maintain accurate revision history.
• Identify and resolve specification gaps that could lead to quality issues, delays, or cost overruns.
• Maintain structured documentation systems to ensure traceability, version control, and accessibility.

What You'll Bring to the Table:

• Serve as the technical owner of product specifications across apparel and hard goods categories.
• Translate product briefs into detailed technical packages, including construction details, materials, finishes, and performance requirements.
• Develop complete, supplier-ready tech packs for apparel (fabrics, trims, measurements, grading, labeling) and hard goods (materials, dimensions, finishes, assembly, packaging).
• Partner with Product Management to ensure design intent is fully captured and technically executable.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Supply Chain to ensure specifications align with supplier capabilities, cost targets, and sourcing strategies.
• Support RFQs/RFPs by providing clear, detailed technical documentation and responding to supplier questions.
• Standardize specification templates, tech packs, and documentation processes across product categories.
• Ensure product consistency across production runs and suppliers through rigorous spec definition and control.
• Drive alignment between product design, manufacturability, compliance requirements, and quality expectations.
• Manage specification updates, revisions, and engineering change processes.

Success Indicators:

• Specification Accuracy: Tech packs and product documentation are complete, detailed, and minimize supplier questions or errors.
• Supplier Execution: Suppliers consistently deliver products that meet specifications on first pass.
• Cross-Category Expertise: Effectively supports both apparel (soft goods) and hard goods product development.
• Cost & Manufacturability Focus: Designs and specs balance quality, cost, and production feasibility.
• Quality Improvement: Reduction in defects, rework, and sample iterations due to improved specs.
• Process Discipline: Strong control of documentation, revisions, and change management.
• Collaboration: Seamless partnership across Product, Procurement, Quality, and supplier teams.
• Speed to Market: Efficient conversion of product concepts into production-ready specifications.

Education / Certifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Apparel Design/Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field preferred
• 3–7+ years of experience in product engineering, technical design, or product development within apparel and/or hard goods industries
• Strong experience…