A Product Engineer is responsible for managing product development involving product design, coordinating the manufacturing, and meeting customer expectations in product design. They oversee everything about the product – from the beginning till the end.
Let’s take a closer look at this job position.
What Is A Product Engineer?
Product Engineers are some of the most sought-after professionals in the manufacturing industry. Product engineers must work closely with business development to understand customer needs and design product specifications that meet customer needs. Product engineering requires extensive product knowledge and technical skills. To be able to guide the production team throughout product development, they must understand the variables and parameters to be met during product development. Product engineers must be attached to an industrial setup, and they monitor every step of product creation to ensure both industry and customer expectations are met.
What Does A Product Engineer Do?
Product Engineer specializes in the design and corresponding manufacturing of a product. Further, the product engineer must transition the product from design to manufacturing the prototype and scale the production to meet industry demand.
After the business development team has identified the demand for a product, the product engineer designs the specifications of the product using Computer Aided design software. This implies building a digital model of the product, and this function forms the huge bulk of a product engineer job.
Managing and testing is the other aspect of a product engineer job. After creating or designing the digital model, the product engineer must subject the model to a range of tests to ensure that the model meets both the industry and company specifications. The testing is a complex process requiring complex problem-solving skills since the prototype design process is complex.
Designing a prototype requires specific materials, and the product engineer is tasked with the responsibility of selecting the material. The material selected should be safe, cost-effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly. After selecting the materials, the product engineer collaborates with the [product development team to convert the product concept into reality. During manufacturing, the product engineer leads the team in ensuring all the product deliverables are met.
Product Engineer Job Description Sample
The primary goal of a product engineer is converting an idea on paper to an actual product. Once customers have a determined need for a product, the product engineer designs the product that meets those needs. For instance, if the company discovers that there is a need to design a more energy-saving product, the product engineer designs the product specifications that can lead to energy-saving. After outlining the product specification, which can lead to cost-saving, the product engineer designs the product that meets these requirements. Product design precedes product manufacturing and development, which is a key component in a product engineer job.
Product Engineer Job Responsibilities
- Developing product ideas emanating from customer interests and changing needs.
- Identifying customer problems and creating functional prototypes offering a solution to the customers.
- Coordinating the submission of prototypes to the relevant authorities or personnel to be approved.
- Performing or conducting market analysis on the competitive brands or products to establish how to sustain the company a competitive advantage.
- Analyzing the trends and conditions in the industry to establish what product features need to be adjusted to enhance competitiveness.
- Conducting market feasibility studies to establish the cost, return, and sustainability of a new product and to develop product ideas.
- Managing the budget requirements of a product and product development.
- Overseeing the mass production of a product once the prototype has been approved by the management or relevant authorities.
- Creating and testing the product prototypes while ensuring that all industry policies and company policies are adhered to.
- Selecting, sourcing, and procuring the best materials to be used in product development. This is to ensure that the quality of the materials is maintained for optimal production.
- By collaborating with a production team, the product development engineer steers the production team throughout the production period to ensure the budget, cost, environmental hazard, and industry standards are adhered to throughout the production process.
- Ensuring the safety standards and product specifications are adhered to during the production process.
Product Engineer Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in the required field like Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or any field.
- Proven job experience in product development.
- Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software
- Mathematical skills
- Advanced analytical and design skills
- Strong knowledge of industry trends and regulations.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Creative, passionate, and enthusiastic in customer service.
- Ability to lead a team and mentor young professionals in the field.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
Product Engineer Reports to
- Product Manager
- Product Marketing Manager
- R&D Manager
- Sales Manager
How Much Does a Product Engineer Make?
Based on the average of five job search/salary websites, the starting salary of a Product Engineer is $61,937 in the USA, while the average salary is $96,325 and the higher paid ones are $117,628.50.
In Conclusion
A Product Engineer works as the product’s soul. Their job is to ensure that the products launched in the market are as per the customer base’s requirements and expectations. If you have a degree in engineering or another relevant field, then you are likely to be qualified for this position. The salary that you receive will also depend on your experience and qualifications.
Skills Required
