Product Engineer
The Product Engineer role at Confidential Client is an entry-level position focused on supporting product lifecycle activities including problem resolution, design integration, and manufacturing transformation for engine products. The engineer acts as a key technical liaison across multiple teams to ensure product requirements are met during launch and production, driving quality and timely issue resolution. This role requires strong technical problem-solving, communication skills, and the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced, on-site manufacturing environment.
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, Manufacturing (Engine & Powertrain).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Join the product engineering team supporting product launches and production for engine and powertrain systems. In this entry-level product-focused role you will execute established technical tasks across the product life cycle, help diagnose and resolve product issues, support Value Package Introduction (VPI) builds and safe launches, and coordinate with stakeholders across design, manufacturing, quality and suppliers to ensure product readiness.
Key Responsibilities
- Investigate product problems, determine root cause, recommend corrective actions and own problem resolution for assigned components or subsystems.
- Support Product Preceding Technology (PPT), Value Package Introduction (VPI) and Current Product Support (CPS) activities.
- Execute technical processes such as Engineering Standard Work (ESW), iDFMEA and Failure Incident Review Group (FIRG).
- Use structured problem-solving tools (7-step problem solving, design review checklists) to document and communicate decisions.
- Provide product technical requirements to manufacturing teams and participate in equipment validation and Manufacturing Safe Launch activities.
- Lead or coordinate short-term containment and longer-term design changes (VPCRs) when product issues affect production.
- Maintain product configuration documentation, engineering bills of material and build standards for active engine configurations.
- Support verification and validation activities: evaluate simulation, test and analysis to confirm product capability versus requirements.
- Collaborate across functions (Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Purchasing, suppliers) to drive timely issue closure.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or an appropriate STEM field.
- Entry-level / early career: typically within 2 years of completing highest degree (per early careers program requirements).
- U.S. early careers eligibility: designed for external candidates who meet the early-career timeframe and currently reside within the continental U.S. (international students on F-1 must have appropriate CPT/OPT authorization before an assignment begins).
- Demonstrated ability to apply technical fundamentals and follow established engineering processes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfortable working in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship, co-op or previous early-career experience in a manufacturing or product engineering environment.
- Familiarity with FMEA, statistical analysis, controls, CAD/solid modeling, and product configuration/change management.
- Experience or coursework in systems engineering, verification & validation, and product launch activities.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; experience with statistical methods, regression, or DOE is a plus.
- Systems thinking: identify interfaces, define system boundaries and manage integrations.
- Ability to create or interpret technical documentation, drawings and specifications.
- Cross-functional collaboration: able to influence peers and coordinate across disciplines.
- Decision quality and results orientation: make timely, data-based decisions and drive issues to closure.
- Self-development and continuous improvement mindset; values differences and diverse perspectives.
Work Location & Schedule
- This position requires 80–100% on-site presence at the client facility in Whitakers, NC during critical VPI build, launch and production activities.
- Typical schedule: full-time, with periods of intensified on-site involvement during launch phases.
Compensation & Employment Type
- Estimated compensation: $105,118 per year (estimated).
- Employment type: Contract, Full time.
- Start date: December 2026.
Additional Information
- This is an entry-level product engineering role focused on engine/product launches and production support within a manufacturing environment.
- Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities during the hiring process upon request.
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.
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