Product Development Engineer – Contractor
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Job Description
Product Development Engineer designing and improving animal care products for RentACoop. Collaborating on product ideas from concept through testing and production in a remote role.
Responsibilities:
- Translate approved product concepts and requirements into detailed CAD models and technical specifications.
- Develop and iterate physical prototypes using 3D printing and other rapid prototyping methods.
- Design for manufacturability (DFM), ensuring parts are optimized for tooling, durability, and assembly, as we designed for cost effectiveness.
- Lead functional, durability, and usability testing in real-world environments (including testing with chickens and small animals).
- Own tooling feedback and revision cycles with mold makers and manufacturers.
- Serve as RentACoop’s technical representative in communications with overseas factories, working closely with the Product and Supply Chain team.
- Review and approve pre-production samples and Golden Samples against functional and quality standards.
- Participate in early product concept and review meetings to understand customer needs, use cases, and performance goals.
- Document test results, design revisions, and lessons learned for future product generations.
- Support timeline management by flagging technical risks and ensuring development milestones are met.
Requirements:
- Proven experience as a Product Development Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or similar role focused on consumer physical products.
- Strong proficiency in 3D CAD. (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Creo, or similar).
- Hands-on experience with prototyping (3D printing, sample fabrication, materials testing).
- Working knowledge of injection molding and basic metal fabrication processes, sufficient to lead technical discussions with mold makers and manufacturers and guide tooling revisions.
- Practical understanding of tooling, tolerances, and factory production processes.
- Experience communicating directly with manufacturers and mold makers.
- Ability to evaluate and test third-party components (e.g., electrical, heating, materials) against performance requirements.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple development timelines simultaneously.
- Clear, professional communicator able to work cross-functionally with Product and Supply Chain teams.
- Passion for building products that are not only functional, but also intuitive and well-designed for end users.
- Access to backyard chickens (or willingness to establish a small flock with company support) for real-world product testing.
Benefits:
- Engage in a mission-driven company that values thoughtful engineering, real-world testing, and customer trust.
- Play a direct role in building and improving products used by animal owners worldwide.
- Enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your designs move from concept to prototype to production.
- Collaborate with a small, highly engaged team that values craftsmanship, practicality, and continuous improvement.
- Build a long-term relationship with a growing brand where your technical leadership will shape the next generation of products.
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