Product Development Engineer

Reports To: Sr.Manager, Advanced Product Development Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000 based on experience. Bonus Potential: Yes Employment type: Full-time, exempt Office/hybrid/remote: In office 4 days a week/Friday work remote Join our team! At Takeya USA , we’re on a mission to inspire healthier lifestyles one sip at a time. Based in sunny Costa Mesa, California, Takeya is a leader in premium drinkware solutions, blending Japanese craftsmanship with the style and spirit of Southern California . Since 2008, we’ve been designing innovative, insulated stainless steel water bottles and beverage makers that elevate how people hydrate and energize. Our products are built to perform and include bestsellers like our Cold Brew Coffee Makers and Tea Pitchers that bring café-quality convenience home.Takaya is also the proud maker of the ThermoFlask® brand, a household-favorite trusted by millions. Position Summary The Product Development Engineer supports the technical development of new products and CMF (Color, Material & Finish) initiatives across the Takeya and ThermoFlask brands. Working closely with Merchandising, Industrial Design, Sourcing, Quality, and Manufacturing partners, this role helps transform product concepts into production-ready consumer products by developing engineering specifications, supporting prototype builds, validating product performance, and collaborating with global manufacturing partners. This position plays a key role in bringing innovative drinkware, food storage, and housewares products to market while ensuring they meet quality, performance, manufacturability, cost, and timeline objectives. Product Development Support the engineering development of new consumer products from concept through production. Collaborate with Merchandising to understand product requirements, consumer needs, and product line objectives. Partner with Industrial Design to evaluate concepts for manufacturability while maintaining design intent. Develop engineering specifications, product requirements, and technical documentation. Assist in prototype development, design iterations, and engineering evaluations. Participate in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews with internal teams and manufacturing partners. Support engineering change implementation throughout the development process. CMF (Color, Material & Finish) Support seasonal color, material, and finish development across existing product lines. Review color and finish submissions from suppliers against approved standards. Assist with qualification of new coatings, finishes, graphics, and decorative applications. Coordinate CMF approvals to ensure consistency across production. Work closely with overseas suppliers to support product development activities. Review tooling concepts, manufacturing methods, and production feasibility. Assist in resolving technical and manufacturing issues during development. Support pilot builds, first article inspections, and production readiness activities. Product Validation Assist in developing and executing product validation plans. Coordinate performance testing including thermal retention, leak resistance, durability, dishwasher performance, and usability evaluations. Document test results and recommend design improvements. Support compliance with applicable food-contact and consumer product regulations. Project Support Support cross-functional project teams to achieve development milestones. Maintain engineering documentation, specifications, BOMs, and revision records. Track project activities and communicate technical issues, risks, and progress. Assist with Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and product lifecycle documentation. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or related field. 2–5 years of experience developing consumer products. Experience working with overseas manufacturers, preferably in Asia. Knowledge of manufacturing processes including stainless steel fabrication, injection molding, silicone molding, powder coating, and decorative finishes. Ability to interpret engineering drawings and CAD models. Understanding of product testing, validation, and quality processes. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Preferred Experience with insulated drinkware, food storage, or housewares products. Familiarity with vacuum-insulated stainless steel manufacturing. Experience with SolidWorks, Creo, or similar CAD software. Familiarity with PLM and ERP systems. Working knowledge of FDA, LFGB, EU food-contact regulations, and California Proposition 65. Success Measures Supports on-time product launches. Meets development milestones and project timelines. Contributes to successful product validation and production readiness. Supports continuous improvement in quality, manufacturability, and cost. Maintains effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners. #J-18808-Ljbffr