Mid-Level Mechanical​/Product Development Engineer

Mid-Level Mechanical/Product Development Engineer

Thousand Oaks, United States | Posted on 09/16/2026

RKS Design is seeking a talented Mid-Level Mechanical/Product Development Engineer to join our multidisciplinary product development team.

In this role, you will work alongside Industrial Design,Research, Strategy, and Engineering teams to transform innovative concepts into thoughtfully engineered, manufacturable products. Your contributions will spanthe product development process—from early concept exploration and prototyping through detailed engineering, testing, manufacturing, and production.

We are looking for a hands-on problem solver who enjoys working on a wide variety of products and technical challenges and who understands how great engineering supports both the design vision and theend-user experience.

You will contribute to the development of complex mechanical and electro-mechanical products while collaborating closely with designers,engineers, clients, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.

You should have solid experience developing products using3D CAD and a practical understanding of manufacturing processes including plastic injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, machining, prototyping, and assembly.

You will be expected to take ownership of assigned engineering tasks and project work streams, identify potential technical risks,develop practical solutions, and help move products efficiently from concept through production.

As part of a consulting environment, you will have the opportunity to work across different industries, technologies, and product categories rather than focusing on a single product line.

• Create high-quality mechanical, electro-mechanical, and assembly designs using parametric 3D CAD.
• Develop components and assemblies that balance engineering requirements,manufacturability, cost, aesthetics, and user experience.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions, design reviews, engineering reviews, and other cross-functional project meetings.
• Translate industrial design concepts into practical, manufacturable engineering solutions while maintaining the original design intent.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including drawings, specifications,bills of materials (BOMs), tolerance requirements, and supporting technical documentation.
• Buildand evaluate prototypes and assist with testing and design verification.
• Perform tolerance analysis and identify potential mechanical, manufacturing,assembly, and reliability issues.
• Work with suppliers, prototype vendors, and contract manufacturers to obtain components, prototypes, tooling, and production parts.
• Review tooling and manufacturing designs to help ensure proper fit, finish,function, and production quality.
• Evaluate initial production samples for engineering and design intent and adherence to specifications and tolerances.
• Troubleshoot product and manufacturing issues, perform root-cause analysis, and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist with the design and review of manufacturing test fixtures and procedures.
• Support engineering efforts during design transfer and transition into manufacturing.
• Research and evaluate new materials, components, manufacturing technologies, and prototyping processes.
• Participate in client meetings and clearly communicate engineering recommendations,technical challenges, project progress, and potential solutions.
• Workwith senior engineers and project leadership to maintain project schedules, identify risks, and meet project milestones.
• Contribute ideas for improving RKS engineering processes, tools, and best practices.

• Bachelor’sdegree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately6-8 years of professional product development/mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong proficiency with parametric 3D CAD and experience creating production-ready mechanical designs.
• Working knowledge of sheet metal, machining, castings, additive manufacturing, andother common manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing mechanical assemblies and integrating off-the-shelf components into product designs.
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, engineering drawings, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA).
• Experience working with prototypes and taking products through multiple design iterations.
• Abilityto identify engineering problems, investigate root causes, and develop practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities in a fast-paced consulting…