Product Development Engineer

Job Title: Product Development Engineer

Job Description

The Product Development Engineer designs, develops, and validates advanced connector solutions across a range of applications, including board-to-board, cable, power, high-speed, and panel-mount products. This role works hands-on in a highly automated manufacturing environment and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to bring new products from concept through full-scale production. The position requires strong technical expertise, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects while adhering to established engineering standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate connector solutions, including board-to-board, cable, power, high-speed, and panel-mount products.

• Lead and support cradle-to-grave product development activities, from initial concept and design through tooling, manufacturing, and product launch.

• Collaborate directly with purchasing, quality, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, process engineering, electroplating, suppliers, product management, and other teams to develop robust products and solutions.

• Work hands-on in the lab and on the production floor to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues during product development and when quality concerns arise.

• Apply a solid understanding of physics and engineering fundamentals to ensure functional, reliable, and manufacturable designs.

• Perform and support mold design, plastic injection molding, progressive die stamping, and other manufacturing-related engineering activities for new products.

• Use 3D CAD software (such as SolidWorks) for part modeling, assembly design, and simulation to meet performance and manufacturability requirements.

• Adhere to all corporate engineering standards, including documentation practices, file management, part modeling guidelines, and simulation procedures.

• Conduct data-driven root cause analysis using appropriate statistical and analytical tools to solve complex technical problems.

• Organize and track multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining schedules, priorities, and clear documentation.

• Complete administrative tasks related to engineering projects, documentation, and reporting as needed.

• Communicate effectively with internal teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment on design intent, requirements, and timelines.

• Travel to vendor sites and other company facilities as needed to support product development, tooling, and manufacturing activities.

• Act as a hands-on contributor, actively engaging with equipment, prototypes, and production processes to drive continuous improvement and successful new product introduction.

Essential Skills

• 2+ years of experience in the design, development, and/or manufacturing of complex assemblies.

• Solid understanding and practical application of physics and core engineering fundamentals.

• Proven problem-solving ability with demonstrated experience in data-driven root cause analysis.

• Hands-on approach with a strong willingness to work directly with parts, tooling, and production processes.

• Proficiency with 3D CAD software; SolidWorks experience is preferred.

• Experience with new product introduction (NPI) and cradle-to-grave product development.

• Familiarity with mold design, plastic injection molding, and tooling concepts.

• Familiarity with progressive die stamping and related manufacturing processes.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

• Experience or strong capability in data analysis; familiarity with tools such as Minitab and/or JMP is ideal.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills for tracking and managing multiple projects.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration across cross-functional teams.

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds from floor to waist in support of hands-on engineering activities.

• Ability to sit for more than 90 consecutive minutes and perform work without sensory deprivation or paralysis of the limbs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in electrical connector design is preferred.

• Plastic injection molding and progressive die stamping experience is highly desired.

• Experience working in a highly automated manufacturing environment is beneficial.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams that include purchasing, quality, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, process engineering, and suppliers.

• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently and take initiative on projects.

• Comfort working in fast-paced, growing organizations with long-tenured teams and strong retention.

• Ability and willingness to travel to vendors and other company facilities as needed.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite in a highly automated manufacturing environment in New Albany, with flexible daytime work hours (for example, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The workplace emphasizes stability, long-term growth, and close day-to-day involvement from leadership, with a strong track record of employee retention and long average tenure. You will collaborate closely with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams and will regularly engage with advanced production equipment and tooling. Occasional travel to vendor locations and other facilities is required to support product development and manufacturing activities. The environment supports a professional, hands-on engineering culture focused on continuous improvement and a clear design roadmap.E

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of New Albany, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

Health, Dental, and Vision HSA and FSA Group basic life, short term and long term disability Vacation- after 90 days you get 3 weeks prorated per year, after 5 years 4 weeks, and 10 years 5 weeks 9 Paid holidays Personal days

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in New Albany,IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.