Product Development Engineer

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd's client seeks a technically strong Product Development Engineer to drive hands-on development of consumer electronic products in Hemel Hempstead. You will bridge engineering, product development and supplier collaboration, reviewing designs and helping bring products into production.

The role requires hardware background, willingness to travel to partners in China, and a proactive approach to improve existing ranges while creating new innovations.

Qualifications

• Background in electronics or hardware engineering with product development experience.
• Ability to challenge engineering decisions and review designs.
• Strong analytical mindset and curiosity about how technology works.
• Experience working with manufacturing partners or hardware suppliers.
• Experience with Chinese OEM/ODM manufacturers or factory engineers.

Responsibilities

• Support and shape the technical product roadmap.
• Review supplier electronics designs and system architectures.
• Validate new product ideas through technical research and testing.
• Collaborate with suppliers to push performance and innovation.
• Improve existing products via component optimization and design changes.
• Translate research into engineering targets and product improvements.
• Analyze customer feedback to identify improvements.
• Define product specifications for suppliers.
• Help marketing translate tech capabilities into consumer benefits.

Skills

Electronics hardware engineering

Technical product development

Supplier collaboration

Design review & critique

Analytical mindset

Factory communications with OEM/ODM

Cross-functional teamwork

Job description

Product Development Engineer

Consumer Electronic Products

Location: Hemel Hempstead (office-based)

Salary: Up to £55,000 + Benefits

KO2's client is seeking a technically strong Technical Product Engineer to play a hands‑on role in the technical development and continuous improvement of a range of consumer electronic products.

This role sits between engineering, product development and supplier collaboration. You'll work closely with the product team, acting as a key technical point of contact when dealing with external manufacturing partners - reviewing designs, challenging engineering decisions, and helping ensure products deliver industry‑leading performance.

This position is ideal for someone who understands electronics and hardware development, but is equally motivated by product innovation, research, competitor analysis, and translating technology into successful consumer products.

Some travel will be required to partners in China. Our client needs someone who is genuinely hands‑on in product development, ideally with a strong electronics/hardware background and some experience developing physical consumer products with Chinese factories.

You’ll need to be comfortable working directly with factory engineers, challenging technical solutions, reviewing samples, solving problems and helping get products properly across the line into production. The role covers both developing new products and improving and problem‑solving the existing product range.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and help shape the technical product roadmap
• Review and challenge supplier electronic designs, schematics and system architectures
• Validate new product ideas through technical research, engineering analysis and testing
• Work closely with suppliers to push technical performance and innovation
• Contribute to continuous improvement of existing products through component optimisation and design changes
• Translate scientific research, technical papers and patents into engineering targets and product improvements
• Analyse customer feedback and reviews to identify product improvement opportunities
• Help define product specifications and technical requirements for suppliers
• Support marketing teams by translating technical capabilities into clear consumer benefits

Experience & Skills

• Background in electronics, hardware engineering or technical product development
• Ability to understand and challenge engineering decisions
• Strong analytical mindset and curiosity for how technology works
• Experience working with manufacturing partners or hardware suppliers
• Ability to translate technical research into product direction
• Experience developing products with Chinese OEM/ODM manufacturers, ideally with some direct exposure to factory engineers

About You

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working between engineering and product development. You should feel comfortable discussing technical challenges with engineers while also considering how products succeed in the consumer market.

The role rewards curiosity, experimentation and continuous improvement, with a focus on analysing technology, challenging assumptions, and working with suppliers to achieve better outcomes.