Product Development Engineer

New Product Development Engineer

Location: Lake Forest, IL (Hybrid | 3–4 days onsite)
Reports To: Vice President of Product Management

Peskind Executive Search has been exclusively retained by a global leader in less-lethal defense and compliance systems to identify a New Product Development Engineer to support continued product innovation and organizational growth.

This organization designs and manufactures mission-critical, non-lethal solutions trusted by law enforcement, corrections, and military agencies worldwide. As the company scales, it is investing in strengthening product development discipline, manufacturing rigor, and cross-functional alignment.

This role blends hands-on mechanical engineering and applied product management, ideal for an engineer who enjoys owning products from early concept through validation, manufacturing ramp, and field deployment.

Beyond technical execution, this individual will serve as a change agent, helping introduce greater structure, process discipline, and continuous improvement as the organization grows.

• Lead mechanical design from concept through production, ensuring performance, reliability, manufacturability, and validation readiness.

• Prototype and evaluate designs using 3D printing and rapid prototyping to assess form, fit, and function.

• Develop detailed CAD models, drawings, and engineering documentation.

• Collaborate with overseas contract manufacturers (including occasional international travel) to ensure cost-effective, manufacturable designs aligned with design intent.

• Lead or participate in Design FMEA and Process FMEA activities to proactively identify and mitigate risk.

• Partner with Quality and Operations teams on product validation, durability testing, pilot builds, and manufacturing ramp-up.

• Support structured root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives related to design, manufacturing, or field performance.

• Participate in user research and field testing with law enforcement and other end users.

• Translate user and customer feedback into actionable product requirements and performance targets.

• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Quality, Operations, and Engineering to align product design with market needs and launch timelines.

• Help introduce scalable processes, documentation standards, and continuous improvement methodologies.

(Must-Have Requirements in Bold)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a related technical discipline

• 2–5 years of experience in product design and development

• Hands-on experience with pneumatic or fluid power systems (e.g., valves, seals, regulators, pressure vessels, accumulators, impact mechanisms)

• Experience taking products through the full development lifecycle, from concept and prototyping through validation, manufacturing ramp, and market launch

• Experience with tolerance stack-up analysis and application of DFM/DFA principles

• Proven root cause analysis and structured problem-solving experience (5 Whys, Fishbone, fault tree, etc.)

• Experience supporting product validation, durability testing, pilot builds, and manufacturing scale-up

• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (Solid Works, Creo, Fusion 360, or similar)

• Hands-on experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping

• Working knowledge of Design and Process FMEA methodologies

• Experience collaborating with global contract manufacturers

• Ability and willingness to travel internationally as required

• Demonstrated ability to act as a change agent, introducing structure, process discipline, and continuous improvement

• Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills

• Passion for designing reliable, field-ready products with real-world impact

• Ability to safely lift and handle moderate-weight items (up to 30–40 lbs.) for prototype testing

• Work on mission-driven products that protect lives and reduce risk

• Own work across the full product lifecycle, from concept to field deployment

• Collaborate in a highly technical, cross-functional environment

• Play a meaningful role in scaling engineering and product development capabilities

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and long-term growth potential