Senior Sports Product Developer — Innovation Leader

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses based on performance

Benefits package including medical aid

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sports Product Developer in Bloemfontein to lead ideation through production of innovative sports products. You will collaborate with design, marketing and engineering to translate concepts into market-ready items, oversee supplier production, and ensure quality within budget constraints.

The role requires a strong portfolio in sports product development, deep materials science knowledge, and proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in sports product development with a strong portfolio.
• Knowledge of materials science and manufacturing processes (injection molding, textiles, composites).
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and 3D modeling.
• Understanding of sports performance requirements and consumer needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product development process from ideation to final production for a range of sports products.
• Collaborate with design, marketing, and engineering to translate concepts into market-ready products.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities and technologies.
• Develop product specifications, technical drawings, and prototypes meeting performance, quality, and cost targets.
• Oversee production with manufacturing partners ensuring quality and timely delivery.
• Test and evaluate prototypes and provide design feedback for improvement.
• Stay updated on new materials and manufacturing techniques relevant to Bloemfontein.

Skills

Product design

Project management

CAD (SolidWorks/AutoCAD)

Materials science

Cross-functional collaboration

Market research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

3D modeling

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sports Product Developer in Bloemfontein to lead ideation through production of innovative sports products. You will collaborate with design, marketing and engineering to translate concepts into market-ready items, oversee supplier production, and ensure quality within budget constraints.

The role requires a strong portfolio in sports product development, deep materials science knowledge, and proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD.