Product Developer (consumer hard goods))

Job Description

Job Description

Job Position Title:  Product Developer

Department:  Production

Reports to:  Head of Production

Employment type:  Full-time / Exempt

Office location:  Framingham, MA (in-office 5 days)

Travel:  Periodic travel to China and Vietnam (roughly once per quarter)

About 52Launch

52 Launch is a full-service design and technology that takes unique product ideas from concept to market. We partner with entrepreneurs and growing businesses to handle every step: industrial design, sourcing, manufacturing, branding, and marketing; all integrated, all in-house. Our clients come to us because they are ready to execute, and they stay because we deliver. If you're looking for a place where the work is tangible, the team is sharp, and no two projects look the same, you'll find it here. 

Position Description

52 Launch is seeking a versatile and highly organized Product Developer to manage products from initial concept through production. This individual will work across a wide variety of product categories and manufacturing processes while coordinating clients, designers, engineers, suppliers, and factories.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who can manage many projects simultaneously, create and maintain detailed project plans, anticipate risks, and keep programs moving forward on schedule and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple product development projects from concept through prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and production.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and critical paths.
• Coordinate activities among clients, designers, engineers, sourcing team, suppliers, and factories.
• Translate product concepts and design requirements into clear technical specifications and production-ready documentation.
• Identify appropriate manufacturing processes, materials, suppliers, and production methods for each project.
• Manage products involving processes such as injection molding, blow molding, sewing and soft goods construction, metal fabrication, machining, finishing, assembly, and electronics manufacturing.
• Review prototypes, samples, technical drawings, bills of materials, and supplier quotations.
• Identify project risks and resolve technical, quality, cost, scheduling, and manufacturing issues.
• Evaluate product designs for manufacturability, performance, quality, cost, and scalability.
• Coordinate product testing, quality standards, inspections, compliance requirements, and corrective actions.
• Communicate project status, priorities, challenges, and next steps clearly to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Travel internationally to China approximately two to three times per year to visit factories, review projects, evaluate suppliers, and oversee development and production activities; establish new relationships by meeting factory leaders in person and agreeing upon project manufacturing parameters. 

What success looks like in the first 3-6 months (or moving forward)

• Proficiency with ClickUp project management software
• Ability to keep a large portfolio of projects organized and moving forward
• Resolution of development and manufacturing challenges 
• Effective and efficient communication with clients and suppliers
• Delivery of high-quality products that meet performance, cost, timing, and production  requirements

Qualifications & Experience (required)

• At least 3-5 years of experience in product development, manufacturing, engineering, sourcing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple product development projects at the same time.
• Strong knowledge of a broad range of manufacturing processes, including molding, sewing and soft goods production, metal fabrication, and electronics manufacturing.
• Proven project-planning skills, including the ability to build schedules, establish milestones, manage dependencies, and meet deadlines.
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and suppliers, preferably in China.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally two to three times per year.
• Strong understanding of product costing, materials, tooling, prototyping, quality control, and production processes.
• Excellent organization, communication, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with clients and cross-functional teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where products, priorities, and challenges vary from project to project.
• Proficiency with project-management tools (ClickUp preferred) and standard business software.

Qualifications & Experience (preferred)

• Bachelor's degree in product development, engineering, industrial design, manufacturing, operations, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing consumer products across several categories.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance, product testing, packaging development, logistics, and supply-chain management.
• Experience reviewing CAD files, engineering drawings, technical specifications, and bills of materials.
• Primary point of contact for factories based in Asia and domestic that manufacture products for your current/prior company. 
• You have relationships with multiple factories, and you have also visited China and/or Vietnam as part of your work within the last 3 years.
• Mandarin language proficiency a plus, but not required.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that we do not accept unsolicited agency submissions for this role.  

52Launch is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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Compensation & Benefits

52Launch offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to reflect the talent, skill, and ownership this role demands. In accordance with Massachusetts law, the salary range for this position is disclosed below.

Salary Range:  $60,000 – $90,000 annually (exempt/salaried)

Final compensation will reflect the candidate's experience, demonstrated industry expertise, portfolio quality, and relevant qualifications within the posted range. This range represents 52Launch's good-faith estimate at the time of posting. 

Full-time Benefits: 

• Competitive compensation package with bonus plan based on individual and company performance
• Comprehensive health, dental, disability, and life insurance plans
• Paid time off and paid holidays 
• IRA / retirement company contribution
• Growth opportunities within an expanding organization
• Other perks: company socials, lots of 52Launch apparel, dogs allowed in office, and more!