Senior Product Development Engineer

Senior Product Development EngineerHawthorne, CA | On-siteOpportunity SummaryJoin a venture-backed advanced manufacturing company developing high-performance composite products at scale. This role owns the full product lifecycle, from early concept and design through validation and production ramp. You will work at the intersection of engineering and manufacturing, translating complex material systems into scalable, production-ready products. As a senior member of the team, you will drive product development while influencing manufacturing strategy, tooling, and process design. This is a hands-on role with direct impact on how products are built, tested, and delivered at scale.About UsWe are an early-stage manufacturing company focused on advancing composite materials and production technologies for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. The team is building proprietary processes that enable faster, more cost-effective production of complex components, with a focus on scaling from pilot to high-volume manufacturing.Job DutiesLead end-to-end product development from concept through production rampDesign composite components with a focus on manufacturability and performanceOwn material selection, layup strategies, and tooling integrationDevelop first articles and validate product performance through testing and iterationDrive design for manufacturing and process optimization across production workflowsManage technical requirements, product specifications, and engineering trade studiesCollaborate with manufacturing teams to scale processes and improve throughputWork with suppliers and external partners to source materials and capabilitiesSupport quality inspection, validation, and continuous improvement initiativesContribute to project management, timelines, and cross-functional coordinationEngage with customers and internal stakeholders to align on product requirementsQualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field such as mechanical, aerospace, materials, or manufacturing5+ years of experience working with fiber-reinforced polymer composites in both design and manufacturing environmentsStrong experience with CAD tools and GD&T principlesDemonstrated ownership of product development programs from concept through productionExperience with rapid prototyping and driving products toward maturityProven ability to scale manufacturing processes, ideally within compositesStrong problem-solving skills with the ability to operate under tight timelinesExperience working across cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, and supply chainBackground managing projects and working with vendors or third-party partnersAbility to work on-site in a hands-on manufacturing environmentPreferred ExperienceExperience with composite molding techniques such as compression or injection moldingFamiliarity with continuous fiber layup processesExperience working directly with customers to define and refine technical requirementsBackground in aerospace or defense manufacturingExperience with ISO9001 or AS9100 quality standardsFamiliarity with FEA tools for structural or thermal analysisExperience managing research and development programsAbility to communicate technical concepts and present to leadershipWhy Join UsEarly-stage equity with meaningful ownershipOpportunity to lead product development and influence manufacturing strategyHigh-impact role with visibility across engineering and leadership teamsFast-paced environment with significant growth potentialCompensation Details$180,000 - $230,000