Product Development Engineer

Job Title: Product Development Engineer

Job Description

The Product Development Engineer supports product design, development, and continuous improvement from initial concept through manufacturing release and field support. In this role, you collaborate closely with Production, Quality Control, Purchasing, and Sales to ensure products meet engineering specifications, customer requirements, and manufacturability standards while driving quality improvements, cost reductions, and product enhancements. This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of products, see designs progress from CAD models to finished parts on the shop floor, and make a measurable impact on both products and operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support product design and development activities from concept through manufacturing release and field support.

• Create, revise, and maintain engineering drawings and 3D models using CAD software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD.

• Collaborate daily with Production, Quality Control, Purchasing, and Sales to ensure products meet engineering specifications, customer requirements, and manufacturability standards.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, cost reduction, and performance enhancements.

• Apply GD&T and manufacturing specifications to ensure accurate, reliable, and repeatable product designs.

• Support production activities by providing hands-on engineering assistance on the manufacturing floor as needed.

• Identify opportunities for product and process improvement and implement changes directly within manufacturing operations.

• Utilize root-cause analysis techniques such as 5-Why and Fishbone/Ishikawa to investigate and resolve product and process issues.

• Incorporate design-for-manufacturability principles, materials knowledge, and tolerance analysis into product designs.

• Work with fabrication, machining, welding, and electromechanical assembly teams to ensure designs can be produced efficiently and consistently.

• Maintain documentation and records within PLM and document control systems to support product lifecycle management.

• Manage multiple engineering projects concurrently, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet established deadlines.

• Communicate clearly and professionally with cross-functional teams, providing technical guidance and updates in both verbal and written form.

• Support fielded products by addressing engineering inquiries and contributing to product enhancements based on customer and production feedback.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with ongoing continuing education in a similar field.

• 1–3 years of experience in product design, mechanical engineering, or manufacturing engineering.

• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar tools for creating and revising engineering drawings and models.

• Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications.

• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes including fabrication, machining, welding, and electromechanical assembly.

• Understanding of materials, tolerances, and design-for-manufacturability principles.

• Basic understanding of root-cause analysis techniques such as 5-Why and Fishbone/Ishikawa.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in English.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines.

• Proficiency with standard office and engineering software, including spreadsheets, word processing, and PLM/document control systems.

• Solid math and geometry skills and strong mechanical aptitude.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, and lift up to 30 pounds, with prolonged sitting when performing design and drafting work.

• Full use of head, neck, arms, legs, wrists, and hands, with the ability to reach, grasp, bend, and flex as required for engineering and production support tasks.

• Excellent near and distance vision (corrected acceptable) and adequate hearing to perform detailed design and inspection work.

• Fine hand-eye coordination for using precision measuring instruments and computer keyboards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Preferred 3–5 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience with detention equipment, security hardware, doors and frames, or similar metal fabrication products is advantageous.

• Experience working cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Sales teams.

• Demonstrated ability to influence cost-saving decisions and implement product enhancements.

• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively in a close-knit, team-oriented environment.

Work Environment

This role is based in a climate-controlled manufacturing facility and offers a balanced mix of office-based engineering work and hands-on production support. Time is split between desk work focused on design, drafting, and documentation, and time on the manufacturing floor supporting production activities and implementing engineering improvements. Some weeks may be primarily CAD and documentation-focused, while others involve active engagement with fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly operations. The team culture is close-knit and family-oriented, where ideas are valued and contributions are visible. This environment is well-suited to someone who enjoys moving between computer-based design work and direct involvement with manufacturing operations, seeing their designs progress to finished products on the shop floor.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Montgomery, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $34.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Montgomery,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.