About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Overview

Confidential Client is seeking a Product Development Engineer to turn customer ideas into production-ready manufacturing solutions. This role supports product concept development through validation and commercialization and may be filled at Engineer I, II, or III level depending on demonstrated capability and scope.

• Estimated salary: $113,982 per year (estimated)
• Employment type: Contract, Full time
• Location: Shelbyville, KY (on-site with occasional travel)

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What You’ll Do

• Translate customer and business needs into engineering requirements, concepts, drawings, specifications, and development plans.
• Evaluate materials, roll-forming or comparable manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, tolerances, and production capabilities to assess feasibility.
• Support or lead development activities from design reviews and prototype/tooling development through trials, validation, launch, and handoff to manufacturing.
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Estimating, Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Supply Chain, Tooling, Manufacturing Operations, suppliers, and global colleagues.
• Participate in customer meetings, explain technical capabilities, present concepts, and support proposals and commercialization plans.
• Develop manufacturing cost estimates (labor, machine time, tooling, capital equipment, materials, scrap, outside processing, packaging, quality, and launch requirements) and support quote reviews and technical risk assessments.
• Balance customer value, manufacturability, cost, timing, quality, maintainability, and safety while managing schedules, risks, documentation, and expenditures.
• Resolve design and trial issues, capture lessons learned, and improve engineering standards and development practices.

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What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of product design and development, engineering problem solving, design reviews, technical documentation, validation, and change control.
• Understanding of materials, roll forming or comparable manufacturing processes, tooling, high-volume production, tolerances, and production constraints.
• Ability to read and develop technical drawings and specifications; working knowledge of GD&T and metrology.
• Hands-on experience with AutoCAD, Inventor, CATIA, or comparable 2D/3D CAD tools; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong analytical, communication, relationship-building, and decision-making skills, with an ability to connect technical solutions to customer value.

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Experience and Level Placement

• Engineer I: Entry-level to 2 years of related engineering or technical development experience. Relevant co-op, internship, research, or hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered. Contributes to meetings, product trials, data collection, root-cause investigation, and launch activities.
• Engineer II: Typically 3+ years of related experience, including ownership of product, design, tooling, process, or manufacturing development through implementation or launch. Independently leads moderately complex projects or major workstreams and mentors less-experienced team members.
• Engineer III: Typically 6+ years of progressively responsible experience, including leadership of complex cross-functional development, commercialization, strategic technical, or customer-facing initiatives. Guides complex programs, supports opportunity strategy, and provides technical direction and coaching.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in metal manufacturing, roll forming, tooling, high-volume production, product launch, technical sales, or project engineering.
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) software and Mastercam or comparable CAM tools.
• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration.
• Training or certification in project management, Design for Manufacturability, GD&T, FEA, Lean, or Six Sigma.

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Work Environment

This role combines office-based engineering with time in manufacturing facilities and occasional travel. Manufacturing areas may involve moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and loud noise. Compliance with established safety policies and procedures is expected. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

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Who We Are

Confidential Client supplies custom roll-formed metal components across industries such as Aerospace, Construction, Material Handling, Off‑Highway, Office Furniture, Solar, and Transportation. The organization operates multiple production facilities and emphasizes technical capability, customer focus, and continuous improvement.

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What We Offer You

• Multiple medical, vision, and dental plan options
• Life, short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Paid time off including vacation, personal, and sick time starting year one
• 401(k) with company match (up to 6% match)
• Quarterly profit-sharing bonus
• Leadership training and development programs
• Community volunteer programs and environmental sustainability initiatives

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Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. Confidential Client is not able to sponsor employment visas for this position.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.