Product Development Engineer

The Pond Guy; Armada (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Employee referral program

Job summary

The Pond Guy is seeking a Product Development Engineer to own products through the full development lifecycle—from concept to production launch. You will turn customer needs into practical solutions, design components in SolidWorks, and work across teams and suppliers to ensure manufacturability and reliability.

In this hands-on role you will balance performance, cost, quality, and lead times while exploring new approaches and driving DFMA improvements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in developing physical/mechanical products.
• Experience applying mechanical engineering principles, materials science, and manufacturing processes.
• Proven track record from concept through prototype, testing, and production launch.
• Experience with pumps, motors, fluid handling, rotating equipment or similar systems preferred.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or similar 3D-modeling software; strong DFMA focus.
• Solid understanding of GD&T and dimensional control.

Responsibilities

• Own multiple product development projects from concept to prototype, validation and launch.
• Collaborate with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external partners for manufacturability.
• Provide technical leadership ensuring design execution and production readiness.
• Design components and assemblies in SolidWorks meeting performance, cost and quality targets.
• Lead design reviews aligning with requirements and performance criteria.
• Build/iterate prototypes using in-house equipment and test plans with real‑world evaluation.
• Improve existing products through problem solving, testing, and benchmarking.

Skills

SolidWorks

GD&T

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Are you an engineer who loves turning ideas into real products? Do you enjoy taking a problem or opportunity, developing a solution, building prototypes, testing what works, and ultimately seeing your product make it into production?

At The Pond Guy, our Product Development Engineer owns products throughout the development lifecycle, from concept development and mechanical design through prototyping, testing, validation, manufacturing, and production launch.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants more than a traditional CAD or design role. You'll solve practical engineering problems, build and test ideas, collaborate directly with cross-functional teams and suppliers, and see the products you develop being built and used by customers.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to talk. Apply to join our team as a Product Development Engineer! See the details of the position below.

The Pond Guy sells nationwide to both end-users and a network of Airmax distributors.

Watch now to learn more about The Pond Guy: https://qrcodes.pro/sIkmTV

As a Product Development Engineer, you will lead new products from concept through production launch while identifying opportunities to improve existing products. You'll turn customer needs, product opportunities, and engineering challenges into practical solutions that can be built, tested, manufactured, and scaled.

This is a hands‑on role where you'll work across mechanical design, prototyping, testing, validation, supplier collaboration, DFMA, and production readiness. You'll collaborate with cross‑functional teams to balance performance, quality, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and customer needs.

Here’s what that looks like day‑to‑day:

• Own multiple product development projects, leading products from concept through prototype, testing, validation, and production launch
• Work directly with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external engineering partners to support product development, validation, manufacturability, and production launch
• Serve as technical lead for assigned projects, ensuring strong design execution, manufacturability (DFMA), and production readiness
• Design mechanical components and assemblies in SolidWorks, ensuring performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost targets are met
• Lead and facilitate design reviews, ensuring design alignment with performance, quality, and product requirements
• Build and iterate prototypes using in‑house equipment, including a full machine shop and multiple 3D printing machines, performing testing and validation through structured plans and real‑world evaluation
• Improve existing products by using structured problem‑solving, root cause analysis, testing, and competitive benchmarking to improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost
• Provide engineering and technical support across multiple business entities and intercompany operations as needed
• Demonstrate ownership, curiosity, and persistence while identifying opportunities for product and process innovation

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means taking ideas beyond the drawing board and turning them into products that work in the real world. You'll move products from concept through successful production launch, develop solutions that balance performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost, and become a trusted engineering partner across the organization.

You'll thrive here if you're naturally curious, enjoy getting hands‑on, aren't afraid to test and improve an idea, and take ownership of solving problems from start to finish.

Don’t know about ponds?

That’s ok! You’ll be trained to be proficient in your job. We utilize an interactive combination of hands‑on and visual training to ensure everyone has a complete understanding of The Pond Guy’s proactive approach to pond management.

Job Requirements

To be successful in this role, you need to have a certain amount of knowledge and skills:

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in developing physical/mechanical products within an engineering discipline
• Proven experience applying mechanical engineering principles, knowledge of materials science, manufacturing processes, and tools in product engineering
• Demonstrated experience taking physical products from concept through prototype, testing, validation, and production launch
• Experience developing products involving pumps, motors, fluid handling, rotating equipment, electromechanical systems, outdoor power equipment, appliances, industrial equipment, or similar mechanical systems is strongly preferred
• Inquisitive mindset with a passion for exploring new ideas and approaches
• Demonstrated ability to build strong connections by seeking input and fostering open dialogue
• Creative thinking and persistence in finding solutions to complex problems
• Experience with various manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, metal forming, injection molding, welding/joining, extrusion,etc.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and/or similar 3D-modeling software
• Solid understanding of GD&T

Because this position involves a variety of tasks, the physical requirements for both in‑office and in‑the‑field environments are necessary. This position requires manual dexterity for typing, sitting at a desk, and looking at a computer screen for long periods. This position also requires the ability to swim, perform repetitive motions for extended periods; demonstrate manual dexterity when working with small components; frequently bend, stoop, and stand for long durations; lift, lower, and carry packages typically weighing 25–50lbs; and handle packages up to 150lbs with assistance. In the field, expect adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, etc. for portions of the position that may be completed in these circumstances.

Our Product Development Engineer will require extensive use of a computer system. This position involves a high degree of interaction with engineers, technicians, managers, leads, and other departments (Purchasing, Production, Customer Service, etc.). Organization, follow‑up, and communication skills are essential factors in the daily administration of this position.

We're looking for a Product Development Engineer who approaches challenges with curiosity, resourcefulness, and a solutions‑focused mindset. When something doesn't work, you're willing to dig in, understand why, and find a better solution.

Availability

This is a full‑time, salaried position. Candidates must be available to work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, with the occasional Saturday work as needed.

Compensation

This is a full‑time salaried position with benefits. Benefits include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision Insurance
• Short‑term Disability Insurance
• Long‑term Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday payeffective immediately (8 holidays recognized)
• 401k with employer 4% matchand revenue sharing
• Employee referral program with opportunities to earnup to$2,500 per referral
• Additional Training Programs: Career Development and Department Shadows

Company Overview

TPG, Inc. is a growing company with over 160 employees. We are a manufacturing company for pond, lake and water garden supplies with customers in all 50 states servicing both wholesale and end‑users. We have customers with large ponds used for swimming, fishing and ice skating and customers with decorative water gardens containing Koi, waterfalls, and plants. Our mission is to help the world enjoy ponds by being passionate, knowledgeable and providing innovative solutions.

TPG, Inc. is not just a team, we’re a tribe. A tribe is more like a family and is ongoing. We have fun, pursue our goals, and help each other grow. Becoming part of TPG, Inc. means more than getting a job it’s a career move. We will give you the support you need to grow with us.

Company Divisions

TPG, Inc. encompasses a family of businesses to support customers in all pond aspects.

Airmax, Inc. – business-to-business and manufacturing.airmaxeco.com

The Pond Guy, Inc. – direct‑to‑consumer.thepondguy.com

The Pond Guy, Inc. – local services division.weknowponds.com

The Pond Guy, Inc. prides itself on the quality of its employees and as such, candidates who receive a job offer will be required to successfully pass a drug/toxins test and background check.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.