Product Engineer

Job Title:

Product Engineer Job Description The Product Engineer leads the engineering execution of assigned programs from concept through launch, ensuring technical excellence in design, validation, and manufacturability. This role owns the full scope of engineering deliverables, drives continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle, and collaborates closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and customer teams. The Product Engineer serves as the primary technical point of contact, balancing customer requirements with feasibility and cost while supporting robust, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions. Responsibilities Serve as the engineering lead for assigned programs and remain accountable for all product development engineering responsibilities from concept through launch. Lead weekly CAD design reviews, manage open issue decks, and assign clear ownership and deadlines for all action items. Provide direction and feedback to designers to ensure alignment with internal engineering guidelines and customer expectations. Follow the Component Design Review (CDR) process from CDR1 through CDR3 and ensure all required documentation and approvals are complete. Prepare CAD files for OKTT-level review and ensure they are fully ready for release. Develop and execute Design Validation Plans (DVPs), ensuring 100% test completion and passing results by Gate 4. Apply GD&T and dimensional management principles to meet required Cpk targets by Gate 4 in accordance with customer-specific requirements. Perform CAD analysis, including sectioning and measurements, to validate design integrity and manufacturability. Utilize surrogate data to challenge and refine customer targets when appropriate, supporting data-driven decision-making. Minimize unplanned changes by performing thorough upfront engineering and proactive risk mitigation. Lead root cause analysis using structured methods such as 5-Why and Fishbone diagrams to resolve technical issues effectively. Resolve ITS issues in a timely manner and ensure closure of high-level concerns with clear documentation. Capture lessons learned from programs and integrate them into future designs, processes, and standards. Lead technical discussions with OEM and Tier 1 customers, representing the engineering function and product capability. Balance customer requirements with technical feasibility, timing, and cost considerations to achieve optimal solutions. Advance strategic customer relationships by demonstrating engineering value, responsiveness, and problem-solving capability. Promote value engineering during the design phase and throughout the CDR process to enhance performance and reduce cost. Identify and pursue opportunities for improvement beyond standard deliverables, including design, process, and validation enhancements. Support the development of robust, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions for automotive injection molded plastic components. Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a related technical field. Minimum 3-5 years of experience in product development within automotive injection molded plastics, including interior or exterior parts such as grilles, fascia, bumpers, or spoilers. Experience with at least one cradle-to-grave program, including design verification through launch. Proficiency in UG or Catia CAD tools for performing design analysis, including sectioning and measurements. Strong understanding of GD&T and OEM validation standards. Demonstrated experience in product engineering for automotive applications, particularly injection molded plastics. Skilled in root cause analysis techniques such as 5-Why and Fishbone. Ability to lead cross-functional discussions with internal teams and external customers. Experience utilizing Teamcenter for product data and lifecycle management. Ability to develop and execute Design Validation Plans (DVPs) and ensure successful completion of validation testing. Experience conducting design reviews and managing engineering issues through resolution. Additional Skills & Qualifications Chrome plating experience or a solid understanding of chrome plating processes for automotive components. Understanding of Nissan's release process and related requirements. Experience working with OEM and Tier 1 customers in a product engineering capacity. Familiarity with value engineering practices during early design and review phases. Background in automotive product engineering environments that emphasize continuous improvement and growth. Work Environment The role is based in a newly renovated, clean research and development office located in Troy, MI. The environment supports engineering work with modern CAD tools such as UG and Catia, along with Teamcenter for data management. The setting is professional and collaborative, with cross-functional interaction among design, manufacturing, quality, and customer-facing teams. The office is designed to support focused technical work, structured design reviews, and regular customer and internal meetings. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Troy, MI. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $42.00 - $52.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Troy,MI.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.