Product Development Engineer - Handgun - CCI Speer

thekineticgroup; Lewiston (ID); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kinetic Group, producer of premium ammunition brands such as B&P, CCI, Federal Premium, Fiocchi, HEVI, Remington and Speer, is seeking a Product Development Engineer - Handgun at its Lewiston, ID site. This role leads concept-to-commercialization of handgun ammunition, driving design, testing, validation, and manufacturing integration.

You will work under the Director of Product Engineering to innovate new products, push ballistic performance, and deliver reliable solutions for shooters

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• 1–3 years of related experience for Engineer I; more for II/III.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles, materials, manufacturing processes, and problem-solving methods.
• Ability to perform engineering assignments of moderate scope using established practices.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting capability.
• Ability to learn engineering tools, testing methods, and design practices applicable to ammunition development.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall project management and leadership for handgun ammunition product development from concept through production launch.
• Design, develop, test, validate, and document new products, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain engineering specifications, bills of materials, qualification requirements, and technical documentation.
• Plan and execute laboratory, range, and manufacturing trials to evaluate product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Analyze test data and apply engineering principles, statistical methods, and root cause analysis techniques to support fact-based decision making.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to introduce new products and process improvements into production.
• Assess manufacturing equipment capabilities and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Conduct failure analysis and resolve design, process, and production-related issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers to qualify materials, components, and processes supporting product development objectives.
• Support Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service teams with technical expertise and content.

Skills

Engineering principles

Troubleshooting

Materials knowledge

Manufacturing processes

Problem-solving

Hands-on

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Science, Mathematics, or related equivalent technical experience

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Pay Range:

Annual Salary: $80,000.00 - $130,000.00 The actual annual salary offered to a candidate will be based on variables including experience, geographic location, education, and skills/achievements, and will be mutually agreed upon at the time of offer.

Job Description

The Kinetic Group is a world leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of small caliber ammunition under the iconic brands B&P, CCI, Federal Premium, Fiocchi, HEVI, Remington and Speer. We have domestic ammunition manufacturing facilities in Minnesota, Idaho, Arkansas, and Missouri, and service law enforcement, government agencies and sporting enthusiasts throughout the world. Today, The Kinetic Group is a part of the Ammo+ division of The Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which holds a diverse portfolio of companies in the defense, security, automotive, aerospace and rail industries.

CCI/SPEER is seeking a Product Development Engineer - Handgun to join the team. This role leads and supports handgun ammunition product development from concept through commercialization, including design, testing, validation, manufacturing implementation, and continuous improvement. In this role, you will transform ideas into next-generation ammunition technologies, combining creativity, engineering expertise, and hands-on testing to push the boundaries of ballistic performance. This role offers the opportunity to innovate new products, solve complex technical challenges, and directly influence the future of precision, reliability, and effectiveness for shooters worldwide.

This position may be filled at the Engineer I, II, or III level based on education, experience, and demonstrated technical capability. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, military experience, certifications, and directly related experience will be considered.

This position reports to the Director of Product Engineering and will be based out of our Lewiston, ID office.

What you'll do:

• Provide overall project management and leadership for new handgun ammunition product development programs from concept through production launch.
• Design, develop, test, validate, and document new products, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain engineering specifications, bills of materials, qualification requirements, and technical documentation.
• Plan and execute laboratory, range, and manufacturing trials to evaluate product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Analyze test data and apply engineering principles, statistical methods, and root cause analysis techniques to support fact-based decision making.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to successfully introduce new products and process improvements into production.
• Assess manufacturing equipment capabilities and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Conduct failure analysis and resolve design, process, and production-related issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers to qualify materials, components, and processes supporting product development objectives.
• Support Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service teams by providing technical expertise, reviewing technical content, and occasionally supporting industry events and customer engagements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards throughout the development process.

Experience you bring:

Engineer I

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Science, Mathematics, or related equivalent technical experience.
• 1-3 years of related experience.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles, materials, manufacturing processes, and problem-solving methods.
• Ability to perform engineering assignments of moderate scope using established practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and hands‑on troubleshooting capability.
• Ability to learn engineering tools, testing methods, and design practices applicable to ammunition development.

Engineer II

• Bachelor's degree and 2-6 years of relevant experience, or advanced degree with applicable experience.
• Thorough understanding of product development processes and engineering fundamentals.
• Able to independently manage portions of product development programs and technical projects.
• Proficient in engineering analysis, experimental design, and statistical decision‑making techniques.
• Experience identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions for product or process issues.
• Capable of leading smaller projects and serving as a technical resource within the product development team.
• Ability to communicate technical requirements effectively with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Engineer III

• Bachelor's degree and 4-10 years of relevant experience, or Master's degree and 2-6 years' experience.
• Technical leader capable of leading major product development programs and complex engineering initiatives.
• Advanced knowledge of ammunition design, manufacturing processes, m