Product Development Engineer

Job Title: Product Development Engineer

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Product Development Engineer with our client located in Durham, NC.

Job Description:

• The Product Development Engineer will lead design and development projects for the training models.
• This position requires an extremely motivated and self-driven individual with a high capacity to learn, analyze and address problems in a fast-paced product development environment.
• It requires a proactive mindset, a strong understanding of the use cases for the models, and collaboration skills to address unmet needs and identify practical, cost-effective design solutions.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support product development projects for new models and design changes for improved user experience, training effectiveness and realism, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
• Resolve unmet model needs and engineering challenges through rapid prototyping, design and testing, while collaborating with researchers, product management, scientists, KOL surgeons and engineers.
• Create design documentation including part specifications, drawings, BOMs, test protocols and reports.
• Interface with supplier, manufacturing and quality engineering to prepare for scalable production of the models, definition of new processes, and comply with quality systems.
• Perform root cause investigations for design related issues and design failure mode analyses.
• Document and provide manufacturing process instructions to manufacturing trainer for new and revised models.
• Lead successful introductions of new and revised models to the manufacturing line.
• Develop products that meet quality control standards and influence quality control procedures and practices.
• Sustain existing designs to achieve cost targets and maintain component supply continuity.
• Test product packaging and work with vendors to convey requirements and select most appropriate design.

Job Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years experience in design and product development.
• Knowledge and execution of ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Comfortable working with animal tissue and knowledge of basic anatomy.
• Strong knowledge of surgical/laboratory terminology, equipment, materials, and procedures.
• Demonstrated hands-on problem solving of mechanical engineering challenges.
• Experience with component design and fabrication methods including machining, 3d printing, laser/die cutting and thermoforming.
• Proficient with CAD models (eg Solidworks) and creating engineering drawings.
• Familiar with all phases of the product development lifecycle, change and design control systems and processes (eg Agile).
• Ability to work with standard computer applications: SmartSheet, Microsoft office, excel, outlook, powerpoint, visio.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills. Familiarity with Good Documentation Practices.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to support multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously.
• Minimum Bachelors Degree in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or equivalent.

Nice To Have:

• MS degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering.
• Experience with SolidWorks.
• Prior experience working in an FDA/ISO regulated environment, preferably medical device.
• Experience with fabrication methods including injection molding, hydrogel molding and silicone molding/casting.
• Experience resolving quality issues from production or assembly. Familiarity with Good
• Experience with design of experiments and statistical testing.
• Experience in lean manufacturing, six sigma and standardization techniques.
• Experience with packaging design, selection and vendor management.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Pay: $40-$45/hr
• Location: Durham, NC

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO) and an administered 401k plan.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.