Senior Mechanical Engineer

Chefman; Mahwah (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Chefman in Mahwah, NJ is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design, development, and manufacturing of new and existing consumer products. The role requires hands-on CAD mastery and a focus on manufacturability across all development stages.

You will work closely with overseas factories, evaluate tooling and production processes, apply DFM/DFA principles, and drive projects from concept to mass production while maintaining quality and cost targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in mechanical engineering and product development, preferably in CPG, electronics, or durable goods.
• Advanced CAD proficiency (SolidWorks or equivalent) focused on manufacturability.
• Experience collaborating with overseas factories and evaluating tooling and production processes.
• Strong knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, development, and manufacturing of new and existing products.
• Own CAD modeling and detailed design to ensure manufacturability.
• Collaborate with China-based factories and analyze tooling, materials, and processes.
• Drive projects from concept through prototyping, validation, pilot builds, to mass production.
• Evaluate and troubleshoot injection molding processes to improve yield and reduce costs.
• Conduct design validation, reliability testing, and implement corrective actions.
• Support product safety, quality, and IP assessments.

Skills

Self-starter

Analytical problem-solving

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

DFM/DFA

Injection molding knowledge

Tooling evaluation

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled, self-motivated, and hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Product Development team. The ideal candidate will be a proactive self-starter and CAD expert with proven experience taking consumer products from concept through production, including close collaboration with overseas factories in China. This role focuses on delivering manufacturable, high-quality, and cost-effective product designs across all development stages.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, development, and manufacturing of new and existing products.
• Own CAD modeling and detailed design, ensuring manufacturability, and alignment with product and industrial design intent.
• Collaborate closely with China-based factories, evaluating tooling, materials, and production processes while ensuring DFM best practices.
• Partner with Product Development, Industrial Design, and Electrical Engineering teams to drive innovation and resolve technical challenges.
• Work independently and proactively to move projects forward, maintaining ownership through all stages of the development cycle.
• Support all phases of the product lifecycle - from concept and prototyping to validation, pilot builds, and mass production.
• Evaluate and troubleshoot factory tooling and injection molding processes to improve yield and reduce costs.
• Conduct design validation and reliability testing, analyze results, and implement corrective actions.
• Investigate and resolve product quality issues, working closely with Quality, Compliance, and Legal teams.
• Participate in product safety and compliance reviews, including documentation and Intellectual Property (IP) assessments.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering and product development, ideally in CPG, electronics, or durable goods.
• Advanced proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks or equivalent) with a focus on precision and manufacturability.
• Direct experience collaborating with overseas factories, including tooling evaluation and production troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Self-starter with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach and strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Familiarity with injection molding, metal stamping, and other high-volume manufacturing processes.
• Proven success managing projects through multiple development stages.

Salary Range (commensurate with experience)

$120,000 - $140,000 USD

Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States? Please Note: Chefman is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and ongoing basis without the need for current or future employer-sponsored visa support, including H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, or any other work authorization requiring sponsorship. Applications from candidates requiring sponsorship now or in the future will not be considered. *