Product Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description: Product Engineer

The Product Engineer plays a key role in supporting major customers in the distribution sector by executing testing, validation, and product development activities under the guidance of sr. engineers. This position focuses on taking approved concepts through rigorous engineering validation, collaborating with third-party testers and suppliers, and driving cost-effective, reliable solutions in a light manufacturing and supply chain-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Support large distribution-focused customers by executing engineering tasks and projects once product concepts have been approved.
• Perform comprehensive load testing, cycle testing, factory acceptance tests (FATs), and other validation activities to ensure product performance and reliability.
• Run racking and related systems through test cycles to validate performance, identify failure modes, and define corrective actions based on DFMEA and PFMEA principles.
• Develop and maintain detailed tolerance specifications, coating testing protocols, and materials specifications and selection criteria.
• Prepare clear and accurate scopes of work for third-party testing partners, and review, validate, and confirm that their test outputs are reasonable and aligned with expected results.
• Research and propose lower-cost, more reliable methods and solutions for customers, working closely with suppliers in a light manufacturing and supply chain-driven environment.
• Collaborate with overseas suppliers and the internal supply chain team to clarify engineering drawings and prints, evaluate material substitutions, and support negotiations with suppliers.
• Create and manage engineering drawings, assemblies, and bills of materials (BOMs) using SolidWorks and related tools.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to ensure products are practical, cost-effective, and efficient to produce.
• Independently plan, organize, and run engineering projects from concept handoff through validation and implementation.
• Remain hands-on with testing, validation, and product development activities, including time on the shop floor and at customer sites as needed.
• Travel approximately 10–15% of the time for customer visits, on-site testing, and product installations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including supply chain, manufacturing, and external partners, to ensure successful product launches and ongoing support.

Essential Skills

• 2–5 years of experience in product engineering, with a focus on testing, validation, and product development.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including creating detailed drawings, assemblies, and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and the ability to apply them to real-world product design and testing.
• Hands-on experience with testing and validation, including load testing, cycle testing, and factory acceptance tests (FATs).
• Experience writing clear, structured test procedures and scopes of work for internal and third-party testing.
• Demonstrated product design and development experience, from concept handoff through validation and implementation.
• Experience applying DFMEA and PFMEA methodologies to identify and mitigate design and process risks.
• Knowledge and application of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• Ability to independently manage and run engineering projects with minimal supervision.
• Comfort working in a hands-on environment, including direct involvement in testing, validation, and product trials.
• Experience with steel fabrication and product design as the primary materials focus.
• Ability to travel 10–15% for customer visits and product installations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks PDM for managing design data and revisions.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience for evaluating structural performance and optimizing designs.
• Project management experience, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating cross-functional activities.
• Experience with plastics and injection molding, including mold design knowledge.
• Exposure to rotational molding processes and related plastics applications.
• Materials experience with aluminum in addition to steel, particularly in fabrication and product design contexts.
• Strong communication skills for working with third-party testers, overseas suppliers, and internal teams.
• Ability to negotiate and collaborate effectively with suppliers and supply chain partners on materials and manufacturing details.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wood Dale, IL.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $48.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Wood Dale,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

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

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.