Product Development Engineer

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionProduct Development Engineer North Charlotte (Onsite) Position Summary Our client is seeking a Product Development Engineer to join its growing engineering team in the greater Charlotte area. This role is focused on developing new mechanical products from early-stage concept through design validation and production release. The Product Development Engineer will take conceptual ideas, customer needs, and functional requirements and turn them into practical, manufacturable products. The ideal candidate is a hands-on mechanical engineer who enjoys the full development process—concept generation, detailed design, prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and refinement. This person should be comfortable working through open-ended design challenges and making sound engineering decisions that balance performance, cost, durability, and manufacturability. Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop new mechanical products, components, and assemblies from initial concept through production release.Translate conceptual ideas, product requirements, and customer needs into practical engineering solutions.Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and supporting engineering documentation.Develop and evaluate multiple design concepts based on performance, cost, durability, manufacturability, and ease of assembly.Apply design-for-manufacturability principles to ensure products can be produced efficiently and consistently.Build and support prototypes to evaluate design concepts and identify opportunities for improvement.Plan and conduct product testing, validation, and design verification activities.Analyze test results, identify design weaknesses, and refine products through iterative development.Reverse engineer existing products, components, and assemblies when needed to support redesign or new product development efforts.Manage engineering changes and maintain accurate product data, drawings, and documentation within the CAD/PDM environment.Work with suppliers, fabricators, and internal stakeholders as needed to confirm design feasibility and resolve technical questions.Take ownership of assigned development projects and drive them forward from concept through final release.Required Experience & QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.3+ years of mechanical design or product development experience in a product-based or manufacturing environment.Strong proficiency with SolidWorks or a comparable 3D CAD platform.Experience creating production-ready 3D models, assemblies, drawings, and engineering documentation.Demonstrated experience taking designs beyond the CAD stage into prototyping, testing, validation, and release.Strong understanding of design for manufacturability, tolerances, materials, and mechanical design principles.Experience working within a PDM or product-data management environment.Strong mechanical problem-solving skills and the ability to work through open-ended design challenges.Comfortable working hands-on with prototypes, components, and assemblies.Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, suppliers, and other technical stakeholders.Preferred ExperienceExperience designing fabricated metal, mechanical, industrial, or electromechanical products.Exposure to manufacturing processes such as welding, machining, forming, fabrication, molding, or assembly.Experience with prototype development and product testing.Experience with design for manufacturability and design for assembly.Experience with reverse engineering, product redesign, or product-improvement initiatives.Familiarity with engineering change processes and production release.Experience working with suppliers, fabricators, or contract manufacturers.