Product Development Engineer

Job Title:

Product Development Engineer

Job Description

The Product Development Engineer designs, develops, and validates advanced connector solutions across a range of applications, including board-to-board, cable, power, high-speed, and panel-mount products. This role works hands-on in a highly automated manufacturing environment and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to bring new products from concept through full-scale production. The position requires strong technical expertise, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects while adhering to established engineering standards.

Responsibilities

* Design, develop, and validate connector solutions, including board-to-board, cable, power, high-speed, and panel-mount products.

* Lead and support cradle-to-grave product development activities, from initial concept and design through tooling, manufacturing, and product launch.

* Collaborate directly with purchasing, quality, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, process engineering, electroplating, suppliers, product management, and other teams to develop robust products and solutions.

* Work hands-on in the lab and on the production floor to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues during product development and when quality concerns arise.

* Apply a solid understanding of physics and engineering fundamentals to ensure functional, reliable, and manufacturable designs.

* Perform and support mold design, plastic injection molding, progressive die stamping, and other manufacturing-related engineering activities for new products.

* Use 3D CAD software (such as Solid Works) for part modeling, assembly design, and simulation to meet performance and manufacturability requirements.

* Adhere to all corporate engineering standards, including documentation practices, file management, part modeling guidelines, and simulation procedures.

* Conduct data-driven root cause analysis using appropriate statistical and analytical tools to solve complex technical problems.

* Organize and track multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining schedules, priorities, and clear documentation.

* Complete administrative tasks related to engineering projects, documentation, and reporting as needed.

* Communicate effectively with internal teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment on design intent, requirements, and timelines.

* Travel to vendor sites and other company facilities as needed to support product development, tooling, and manufacturing activities.

* Act as a hands-on contributor, actively engaging with equipment, prototypes, and production processes to drive continuous improvement and successful new product introduction.

Essential Skills

* 2+ years of experience in the design, development, and/or manufacturing of complex assemblies.

* Solid understanding and practical application of physics and core engineering fundamentals.

* Proven problem-solving ability with demonstrated experience in data-driven root cause analysis.

* Hands-on approach with a strong willingness to work directly with parts, tooling, and production processes.

* Proficiency with 3D CAD software;
Solid Works experience is preferred.

* Experience with new product introduction (NPI) and cradle-to-grave product development.

* Familiarity with mold design, plastic injection molding, and tooling concepts.

* Familiarity with progressive die stamping and related manufacturing processes.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

* Experience or strong capability in data analysis; familiarity with tools such as Minitab and/or JMP is ideal.

* Excellent organizational and time management skills for tracking and managing multiple projects.

* Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration across cross-functional teams.

* Ability to lift up to 20 pounds from floor to waist in support of hands-on engineering activities.

* Ability to sit for more than 90 consecutive minutes and perform work without sensory deprivation or paralysis of the limbs.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

* Experience in electrical connector design is preferred.

* Plastic injection molding and progressive die stamping experience is highly desired.

* Experience working in a highly automated manufacturing environment is beneficial.

* Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams that include purchasing, quality, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, process engineering, and suppliers.

* Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently and take initiative on projects.

* Comfort working in fast-paced, growing organizations with long-tenured teams and strong retention.

* Ability and willingness to travel to vendors and other company facilities as needed.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in a highly automated manufacturing environment in New Albany, with flexible daytime work hours (for example, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The…