Product Engineer

Aleron; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 122,266 - 174,137; Part time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Product Engineer IV in Fremont, CA to lead product development, qualification of suppliers, and complex problem solving for advanced engineered products. You will partner with global suppliers and cross-functional teams to drive new product introductions and ensure quality from development through field deployment.

The role requires extensive experience in product and materials engineering, successful leadership of NPI initiatives, and strong analytical capabilities.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. with applicable industry experience.
• 5+ years leading new product introduction (NPI) or product lifecycle initiatives.
• 3+ years of failure analysis and root cause investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from prototype through qualification, release, and deployment.
• Drive supplier qualification activities and production readiness across a global network.
• Design experiments, testing protocols, and validation plans for complex issues.
• Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations using materials characterization.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to ensure successful launches.
• Provide technical support for installation, troubleshooting, and field performance issues.
• Present findings and project updates to stakeholders.

Skills

NPI leadership

Materials engineering

Experiment design

Failure analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Master's in Chemical Engineering / Materials Science

Ph.D. with industry experience

Tools

JMP

Minitab

DOE

Job description

Job Title: Product Engineer

Location: Fremont, CA

Employment Type: Contract

Industry: Semiconductor

Compensation: $107.58

About the Opportunity

We're seeking an experienced Product Engineer IV to lead product development, supplier qualification, and technical problem-solving initiatives for advanced engineered products. In this highly visible role, you'll partner with global suppliers and cross-functional teams to drive new product introductions, validate manufacturing processes, resolve complex technical challenges, and ensure product quality from development through field deployment.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Lead high-impact product development initiatives with global supplier and engineering teams.
• Work on cutting-edge technologies in a collaborative and innovation-driven environment.
• Influence product design, manufacturing processes, quality systems, and supplier performance.
• Apply advanced materials science, engineering, and failure analysis expertise to solve complex technical challenges.

Why This Opportunity is Exciting

This role offers a rare opportunity to combine product engineering, materials science, supplier development, and advanced failure analysis in one position. You'll play a critical role in bringing new products from concept to deployment while driving technical excellence across a global supplier network.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

What You'll Do

• Lead product development projects from prototype through qualification, release, deployment, and initial field support.
• Drive supplier qualification activities, quality plans, production readiness, and process development across a global supplier network.
• Design and execute experiments, testing protocols, and validation plans to resolve complex technical issues.
• Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations using advanced materials characterization techniques.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supplier development, and field support teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Provide technical support for installation, troubleshooting, repair, debugging, and field performance issues.
• Present technical findings, analyses, recommendations, and project updates to stakeholders and leadership.

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of experience in product engineering, materials engineering, process development, supplier engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field with a Master's degree; or 5+ years of experience with a Ph.D.
• 5+ years of experience leading new product introduction (NPI), product qualification, supplier development, or product lifecycle management initiatives.
• 5+ years of experience designing and conducting experiments, engineering studies, and technical validation testing.
• 3+ years of experience performing failure analysis and root cause investigations using materials characterization techniques.
• 3+ years of experience collaborating with suppliers, manufacturing teams, quality organizations, and engineering stakeholders.
• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field; or Ph.D. with applicable industry experience.

What Sets You Apart

• Experience using advanced materials characterization tools and techniques including:
  • Microscopy
  • Spectroscopy
  • Thermal analysis
  • Mechanical testing and analysis
  • Surface characterization methods
• Experience in plastics fabrication and manufacturing processes such as:
  • Injection molding
  • Machining
  • Welding
  • Thermoforming
  • Additive manufacturing
• Knowledge of statistical methods and quality tools including:
  • Design of Experiments (DOE)
  • Gage R&R
  • Process Capability Analysis (Cpk/Ppk)
  • JMP
  • Minitab
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams consisting of product engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, field support, and supplier partners.
• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong technical communication and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across multiple teams, cultures, and geographic regions.
• Creative thinker with a resilient, solution-oriented approach to complex engineering challenges.

Additional Information

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check.
• Overtime: May be required based on project milestones, supplier support needs, and business objectives.
• Schedule: Hybrid/Flexible schedule with approximately 3 days per week onsite, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM PST.
• Work Environment: Engineering, laboratory, supplier, and manufacturing support environment.
• Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.