Fall 2026: Product Design Engineering Co-op, Advanced Development (July to December)

Ninjakitchen; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 49,593; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Health savings account (HSA) with company contribution

Employee product discount

Job summary

Ninjakitchen is seeking a Product Design Engineering Co-op in Needham, MA for July/August 2026 to December 2026. This role involves ownership of open-ended design problems, contributing to early-stage product development for Shark and Ninja brands.

Candidates will need to demonstrate experience with CAD software, have a solid focus on user-centered design, and show strong communication skills. The position offers an hourly pay range of $30 – $36 with various benefits.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment as a student in the relevant field is required.
• Experience with CAD software and physical prototyping tools is necessary.
• Strong communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Generate new product concepts focusing on user-centered design.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet functional requirements.
• Build and test prototypes and extract findings from user testing.

Skills

User-centered product design

Communication

Experience with CAD software

Mechanical engineering principles

Prototyping

Education

Current student in their third year or beyond of a bachelor's program

Enrolled in a master’s program or within one year of graduation

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

Rhino

3D printing tools

Job description

Work Period: July/August 2026 to December 2026

Location & Schedule: Full‑time, 40‑hour‑per‑week position with 5 days per week onsite in Needham, MA. No relocation or housing assistance for this position.

Early Edge Experience

This early‑career talent program is designed to provide valuable exposure to the industry and a fast‑paced professional environment. You’ll dive into meaningful projects and tasks that sharpen your skills and deepen your knowledge, and you’ll benefit from professional development opportunities, community events, and connections that make your experience well‑rounded and enriching.

This Role

In this Product Design Engineering Co‑op (Advanced Development), you will operate at the intersection of industrial design and mechanical engineering, taking ownership of open‑ended design problems and contributing directly to early‑stage product development for Shark and Ninja brands. You will be expected to think broadly, move quickly, and translate ambiguous user needs into feasible, high‑impact design solutions.

Responsibilities

• Generate new product concepts with a user‑centered approach, focusing on ergonomics, aesthetics, and functional innovation.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to define solutions that meet functional requirements while enhancing the user experience.
• Lead and participate in design studies to solve technical and user‑experience challenges.
• Build and test quick‑turnaround, low‑fidelity prototypes, and be able to extract key findings from user testing.
• Approach everyday design challenges with curiosity and resilience, driven to rethink and innovate.

Attributes & Skills

• Education: Current student in their third year or beyond of a bachelor's program, currently enrolled in a master’s program, or within one year of graduation.
• Must be able to work a full‑time, 40‑hour‑per‑week schedule with 5 days a week onsite in Needham, MA.
• Has an academic focus on Industrial Design, Product Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with classes in industrial design, or a related field.
• Enthusiastic about user‑centered product design, form, and function.
• Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, or Rhino) and basic prototyping tools including 3D printing.
• Hands‑on experience building physical prototypes in various materials (e.g., plastic, metal) and familiarity with machine shop equipment.
• Basic understanding of electronics and components commonly used in small appliances (motors, sensors, PCBAs) is desirable.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or other developer kits is a plus.
• Strong communicator who can convey ideas, concepts, and solutions effectively to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong intuition for mechanical engineering and physics principles, with an emphasis on applying this in product design, ergonomics, and human‑centered engineering.
• Analytical and detail‑oriented, with a creative approach to identifying and addressing potential issues.
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, a hands‑on attitude, and commitment to developing elegant, innovative solutions that balance technical and user‑focused design principles.
• Skilled at juggling multiple projects, with flexibility to pivot as needed while keeping sight of broader design objectives.
• Embodies SharkNinja's success drivers:
  • Rarely Satisfied – Adopt a 'no delays' mentality in delivering against market needs/timing.
  • Progress over Perfection – Make quick, daily progress and continuously adapt to achieve results rather than requiring perfect planning.
  • Details Make the Difference – Can coordinate timelines & deliverables to ensure accuracy and consistency across all consumer‑facing materials.
  • Winning is a Team Sport – Ability to develop strong cross‑functional relationships.
  • Communicate for Impact – Strong communication skills – ability to deliver effective presentations to all levels of management.

Salary and Compensation

Hourly pay range: $30 – $36 USD per hour.

Benefits include: medical insurance, health savings account (HSA) with company contribution, sick time, company holidays, employee product discount, product testing opportunities, referral bonuses, and more.

Equal Opportunity Employment – We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other class protected by legislation, and local law. SharkNinja will consider reasonable accommodations consistent with legislation, and local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact SharkNinja People & Culture at [e-mail].