Product Development Co-op

Tekton; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

401(K) program

Job summary

Tekton, Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI, seeks a Product Development Co-op to collaborate with the team across research, design, manufacturing and refinement of hand tools. In early rotations you contribute to current projects; later you may lead full development efforts with a hands-on, precision mindset.

You will apply engineering principles, build/test models, and coordinate development schedules while partnering with Manufacturing and Quality Control to ensure reliable, high-quality results.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a B.S.E. in the Engineering program.
• Familiar with CAD/3-D modeling and other standard industry software.
• Eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering principles to design and manufacture tools you believe in.
• Build and test models and prototypes to verify design concepts.
• Schedule and manage the development process for assigned projects.
• Work with the Manufacturing department to launch new products and refine processes.
• Evaluate suppliers’ manufacturing capabilities to ensure they will be reliable partners.
• Develop initial product standards to hand off to our Quality Control team.
• Design and perform tests that assess the performance of finished products.
• Collaborate with the Tool Applications and Content department to tell the tool’s story.
• Follow products into users’ hands, gathering and learning from their experiences.

Skills

CAD/3D modeling

Hand tools experience

Attention to detail

Curiosity

Team player

Education

B.S.E. in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

In the Product Development Co-op role, you work closely with other members of our Product Development Team on all phases of the product development process-researching, designing, manufacturing, and refining the highest-quality hand tools.We view the work of our Co-op program as an integral part of our full-time Product Development Team. You will join an existing project team in your first rotation and quickly be asked to contribute to the development project(s) underway. In later rotations, you will be asked to lead full development projects, or at least substantial portions of them.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering principles to design and manufacture tools you believe in
• Build and test models and prototypes to verify design concepts
• Schedule and manage the development process for assigned projects
• Work with the Manufacturing department to launch new products and refine processes
• Evaluate suppliers’ manufacturing capabilities to ensure they will be reliable partners
• Develop initial product standards to hand off to our Quality Control team
• Design and perform tests that assess the performance of finished products
• Collaborate with the Tool Applications and Content department to tell the tool’s story
• Follow products into users’ hands, gathering and learning from their experiences

Indicators of a good match for this role

• You are aligned with Tekton's philosophy, ways of thinking, and work style
• You are naturally curious and ask questions
• You are a team player who knows when to ask for help or change your mind
• You think like a mechanic and regularly use hand tools in your personal life
• You are highly precise with details and determined to deeply research any given topic to become an expert
• You have exceptional values including honesty, integrity, and empathy
• Currently pursuing a B.S.E. in the Engineering program
• Familiar with CAD/3-D modeling and other standard industry software
• Eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Pay range

• $22 - $25 per hour

Benefits package

• Co-op employees receive a benefits package that includes paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and a 401(K) program.

Location and hours

• This is a full-time hourly co-op position starting in Summer 2027 located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
• Head of Product Development

About the Department

• The Product Development department designs the tools we produce and ensures they consistently meet our quality expectations. They also create, organize, and publish the formal standards and specifications that we use to market our tools.

About the company

• Tekton, Inc. is a family-owned company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are dedicated to making the best hand tools you will ever own, and we start by designing the products that we personally believe in and want to own ourselves. We focus especially on tools used in mechanical and assembly work; our core categories include systems of hand drive sockets and ratchets, impact sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers.

About the company

Tekton, Inc. is a family-owned company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are dedicated to making the best hand tools you will ever own, and we start by designing the products that we personally believe in and want to own ourselves. We focus especially on tools used in mechanical and assembly work; our core categories include systems of hand drive sockets and ratchets, impact sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers.

Tekton, Inc. offers equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.