Product Engineering Manager

Juniper; Southington (CT); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health, dental, and vision coverage

Competitive paid time off and holidays

401(k) plan with up to 4% company match

Five-year employment recognition with one-month paid sabbatical

Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per program

Job summary

A leading design firm in Connecticut is seeking a Product Engineering Manager to oversee the entire engineering lifecycle of products from concept to launch. This hands-on leadership role requires strong technical skills and the ability to manage a team, ensuring high standards in product development. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in mechanical engineering, leadership capabilities, and a passion for innovation. Competitive benefits include company-paid health coverage, paid time off, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of experience in product or mechanical engineering roles.
• Experience managing engineers, including remote or overseas contributors.
• Proven ownership of complex physical products from concept through launch.

Responsibilities

• Own full-lifecycle engineering responsibility for assigned products.
• Serve as the technical owner for major new product introductions.
• Lead execution of the Product Development Process, including timelines and risk identification.

Skills

Leadership

Technical ownership

Communication

Product development

Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or related field

Job description

Juniper Design Group is seeking a Product Engineering Manager to own the engineering responsibility for our products across their full lifecycle from early concept and development through launch, production support, and long-term evolution.

This is a hands-on engineering leadership role for a technically grounded, people-oriented leader. The Product Engineering Manager oversees a small team of engineers and serves as the senior technical owner for key products, with accountability extending beyond launch into production stability, ongoing improvement, and platform evolution.

Product Engineering retains end-to-end responsibility for product health, working in close partnership with Design, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality as peer functions. This role is expected to set and reinforce a culture of innovation, accountability, ownership of timelines, and customer-centered design.

The ideal candidate is career-driven and motivated to build new products, lead change, and execute with discipline. While technically fluent, this role is not intended to be a primary day-to-day CAD position.

• Own full-life-lifecycle engineering responsibility for assigned products, from concept through post-launch support
• Serve as the technical owner for major new product introductions (NPIs), maintaining accountability after launch
• Lead execution of Juniper’s Product Development Process, including timelines, risk identification, and delivery cadence
• Manage and develop a small team of on-site and remote/overseas engineers
• Ensure designs are manufacturable, reliable, serviceable, and ready for production
• Drive proactive validation, DFM/DFA reviews, and testing to reduce post-launch issues
• Partner closely with Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Operations
• Maintain high standards for CAD, drawings, BOMs, ECOs, and documentation discipline

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a related field
• 8–12+ years of experience in product or mechanical engineering roles
• Prior experience managing engineers, including remote or overseas contributors
• Proven ownership of complex physical products from concept through launch and ongoing support
• Strong DFM/DFA experience and sound technical decision-making skills
• Clear communicator with strong leadership presence and follow-through

Nice to Have:

• Experience with architectural lighting, furniture, consumer products, electro-mechanical design, or design-driven hardware products
• Familiarity with UL / ETL certification processes
• Experience in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments

At Juniper, we’re committed to our employees’ growth, well-being, and long-term success.

We offer:

• Company-paid health, dental, and vision coverage
• Competitive paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) plan with up to 4% company match
• Five-year employment recognition with one-month paid sabbatical leave
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per program

Compensation

Employee Type: Salaried

• Salary Minimum: $130,000
• Salary Maximum: $150,000

About Juniper

Juniper is a diverse group united in revolutionizing lighting systems through design, innovation, and craftsmanship. We combine modern design principles with traditional materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to create distinctive products that push boundaries.

Joining Juniper means working with state-of-the-art technology, advanced fabrication processes, and a passionate team of changemakers shaping the future of architectural lighting.

Juniper Design Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.