Product Development Technician

Timberline Manufacturing; Marion (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Timberline Manufacturing in Marion, IA seeks a Product Development Technician to assist Product Development Engineers in creating and validating new products. This role involves prototype builds, testing, documentation, CAD/drawing updates, BOM maintenance, and implementing engineering changes under guidance.

You will contribute to manufacturability feedback, help with measurements and inspections, and support quality investigations.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical diploma in engineering technology or related field preferred.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing, prototyping, testing, or technical production environment preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Basic CAD experience or ability to learn CAD and drawing/documentation systems; experience with 3D CAD is preferred.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and stand or sit for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Support Product Development Engineers with new product development, changes, and lifecycle activities.
• Coordinate with FAI build to collect information on improvements, changes, and fixture requirements.
• Assist with product validation and qualification testing; collect data and document results.
• Perform dimensional inspections, measurements, and basic technical evaluations using appropriate equipment.
• Revise engineering drawings, build documents, BOMs, and work instructions as assigned.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation, including revision control and test records.
• Design and create 3D printed fixtures, assembly aids, and tools to support production.
• Assist engineers with engineering change implementation and documentation updates.
• Support investigations of quality issues by gathering data and coordinating root-cause analysis.

Skills

Engineering drawings

Prototype & testing

CAD basics

Measurement tools

Documentation

Education

Associate degree

Tools

3D CAD

MS Office

Job description

BECOME AN OWNER, MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS

Who We Are

Founded in 1993, Timberline Manufacturing provides electrical contract manufacturing with a specialization in wire harness assembly, control panels, and electronic assembly. Timberline is 100% employee-owned since 2012. Along with employee ownership, we provide opportunities for advancement, professional growth and financial rewards. From the moment you enter the building, we greet you as a person, not a number.

What We Value

We're not the first to say it, but we certainly mean it - our employees are what makes Timberline so great. That's why we're an employee-owned company.

Product Development Technician

Description: The Product Development Technician supports Product Development Engineers in the development, release, validation, and maintenance of products. This hands-on role assists with prototype builds, testing, measurements, documentation, CAD/drawing updates, BOM maintenance, and engineering change activities. The technician works under the direction of Product Development Engineering and helps convert engineering requirements into accurate, manufacturable, and well-documented products.

Responsibilities

• Support Product Development Engineers with new product development, product changes, and lifecycle activities.
• Coordinate with FAI build to collect information on build improvements, documentation changes, and fixture requirements.
• Assist with product validation and qualification testing; validating testing requirements, collect data, document results, and communicate issues or unexpected results.
• Perform dimensional inspections, measurements, and basic technical evaluations using appropriate measuring and test equipment.
• Revise engineering drawings, build documents, BOMs, work instructions, test documentation, and other engineering records as assigned.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation, including revision control, test records, photographs, build notes, and supporting data.
• Design and create 3D printed fixtures, assembly aids, and tools to support production.
• Assist engineers with engineering change implementation, including part/BOM updates, documentation changes, prototype verification, and coordination with affected functions.
• Support investigations of product-related quality issues by gathering data, inspecting product, reproducing conditions, and assisting with root-cause and corrective-action activities including detailed deconstruction of potential failures.
• Provide manufacturability feedback based on prototype, FAI, and production observations and identify opportunities to improve quality, cost, and ease of assembly.
• Utilize engineering maintenance facilities for product analysis and coordinate with external companies for more advanced requirements.
• Follow applicable safety, quality, document-control, and configuration-control requirements.
• Assist with tickets involving dimensional changes, material changes, product performance, new part creation, BOM updates, design corrective actions, prototype work, and validation activities.
• Gather information, complete assigned technical work, and document results so the Product Development Engineer can make and approve design decisions.
• Escalate conditions that may affect product form, fit, function, safety, compliance, or customer requirements to the responsible engineer.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent experience in engineering technology, manufacturing, mechanical/electrical technology, or a related technical field preferred.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing, engineering support, prototyping, testing, or a technical production environment preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Basic CAD experience or ability to learn CAD and drawing/documentation systems; experience with 3D CAD is preferred.
• Working knowledge of measurement tools and basic test equipment; ability to record and organize test and inspection data accurately.
• Strong attention to detail with practical problem-solving skills and the ability to follow technical direction.
• Basic math and computer skills, including proficiency with common Microsoft Office applications.
• Must have a positive attitude with a customer appreciation mentality
• Must have strong communication skills to communicate with other team members
• Must have a positive attitude with a customer appreciation mentality
• Ability to lift 50lbs as needed and to stand, sit, and perform repetitive or hands-on work for extended periods
• Ability to stand, sit, and perform repetitive work for long periods of time
• Operate with a sense of teamwork

Timberline Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.