Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer

A growing engineering team is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the development of next-generation products within a confidential research and development environment. This position offers the opportunity to work on highly technical products from concept through commercialization while collaborating with cross-functional teams responsible for engineering analysis, validation, testing, certification, and manufacturing readiness. This is not a traditional CAD-heavy design role.

The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex engineering problems, evaluating system performance, interpreting technical standards, and helping drive products through the complete development lifecycle. The successful candidate will thrive in an environment where products are being developed from the ground up and where initiative, curiosity, and technical problem-solving are highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Support products throughout the entire development lifecycle from concept through commercialization.
• Participate in product architecture reviews and system-level design decisions.
• Evaluate product performance and contribute to design improvements.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers.
• Perform engineering calculations and data analysis related to product performance.
• Analyze system behavior including thermal, fluid, mechanical, and electromechanical interactions.
• Interpret test results and provide technical recommendations.
• Develop and execute validation plans.
• Support prototype testing and troubleshooting activities.
• Design and build test fixtures when necessary.
• Analyze results and recommend design modifications.
• Assist with UL certification activities and product compliance requirements.
• Review engineering standards and determine applicability to products.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to support certification efforts.
• Help establish and improve product development methodologies.
• Drive best practices related to design validation, testing, risk evaluation, and product quality.
• Support future product roadmap activities.

Essential Skills

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in product development environments.
• Experience supporting products through multiple phases of development.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working on complex systems rather than individual components.
• Ability to learn new technical subject matter quickly.
• Experience with engineering calculations, testing, and validation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with thermodynamics, heat transfer, refrigeration, fluid systems, or related disciplines.
• Experience working with electromechanical products.
• Familiarity with UL, IEC, CE, FDA, aerospace, automotive, or similar regulatory standards.
• Experience developing test plans and validation protocols.
• Solid Works or CAD experience.
• Experience supporting medium-to-high volume manufactured products.
• Mandarin language skills.

Work Environment

This role is based at a secret R&D testing site. The environment is a startup with a small team, requiring hands-on involvement in every aspect of building out the R&D test site. The site provides a great opportunity for growth as it develops prototypes and manufactures its own equipment. The work setting is dynamic and offers the chance to be part of an innovative team in a challenging and rewarding atmosphere.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Orange, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $73.00/hr eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
•…