Duties of a Product Development Engineer
Initial research duties for a product development engineer include identifying the needs and goals for a new product, from function to aesthetics. They often coordinate with market researchers and materials suppliers to evaluate market needs, existing competition and potential costs.
Product development engineers then create a design using computer-aided design software and fabricate models that can be tested. They experiment with and analyze different materials, manufacturing processes, design tolerances and other factors in the developmental process. After refining and reviewing initial designs, product development engineers deliver specifications and procedures to manufacturing teams who can then begin production