Product Development Engineer - CAD Prototyping to Launch

The Sliding Door Company; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sliding Door Company in Chatsworth, CA is seeking a Product Development Engineer to bridge our Corporate Office and Manufacturing Factory, guiding new products from concept to production launch.

You will design prototypes with CAD and SolidWorks, validate performance, document technical specifications, manage projects from kickoff to mass production, and collaborate with suppliers and the design team to meet quality, cost, and regulatory goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in product development and project management, preferably within the building materials industry.
• Experience conceptualizing new product ideas and creating prototypes using CAD software.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product specifications and requirements.
• Design products using CAD and SolidWorks software and other engineering principles.
• Coordinate testing and validation of product safety and functionality.
• Manage project timelines and budgets to meet development milestones.

Skills

CAD software

SolidWorks

Project management

Product development

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD

Job description

The Product Development Engineer serves as a vital link between our Corporate Office and our Manufacturing Factory, ensuring seamless collaboration throughout the product development process. This unique career opportunity is ideal for a critical thinker who thrives on innovation and enjoys turning ideas into market-ready products. In this role, you will lead the development of new products by designing prototypes, validating functionality, documenting technical specifications, and managing projects from initial concept through production launch.

The position combines technical engineering expertise, creative design, and strategic project management to transform concepts into high-quality, customer-focused products. You will play an integral role throughout the entire product lifecycle, including research, product design, prototyping, testing, validation, manufacturing support, and quality audits, ensuring products meet expectations, performance standards, and business objectives.

This is an on-site position working from our HQ office in Chatsworth, CA.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product specifications and requirements.
• Design products using CAD and SolidWorks software and other engineering principles.
• Participate in sampling different materials, manufacturing processes and design tolerances to find the best ones that suit the new product.
• Coordinate the testing and validation of product safety and functionality when applicable.
• Determine if third party regulations are met related to sustainability and work with the design team to secure any required certificates.
• Assist in fine tuning the product until it is ready for market production.
• Manage project timelines and budgets to meet development milestones.
• Document processes and maintain records for compliance and future reference.
• Participate in packaging and shipping testing when needed.
• Work with design team to define requirements for interface components.
• Review product improvement concepts and related feasibility.
• Develop and document quality control criteria and safety guidelines and ensure all team members adhere to them.
• Create source documents on cost investigations, tooling, packaging, and functionality.
• Document new product introduction launch package, including limitations, uses, applications, availability/lead time, and installation instructions.
• Work collaboratively with installers, receiving installation feedback to optimize new and existing products.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
• At least 4+ years of experience in product development and project management, preferable within the building materials industry.
• Experience conceptualizing new product ideas and creating prototypes using CAD software.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control, product testing, and regulatory compliance is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Excellent mathematical, technical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to conduct market research to identify customer requirements, industry trends, and align product development with company goals.