Senior Product Design Engineer

Jaypro Sports is seeking a Senior Product Design Engineer to lead new product design and release work with a cross-functional team at its Waterford, CT site. This role manages a small engineering team while taking designs from early concept through prototype runs, documentation, and full-scale manufacturing readiness, with a focused emphasis on revision control and ECN processes.

What you’ll do

• Manage a team of 2-3 people.
• Lead new product development from initial concept through design and manufacturing.
• Assess product designs for manufacturability, functionality, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring they integrate smoothly into the production line for full-scale manufacturing.
• Oversee prototype production runs so new designs are manufactured on schedule.
• Develop product structures and routings in ERP.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including bill of materials (BOMs), manufacturing routings, and work instructions.
• Collaborate with the internal design team on manufacturing drawings and revisions.
• Conduct product testing and evaluations to confirm alignment with industry standards and customer expectations.
• Perform first piece inspections for external vendor products and provide feedback to suppliers.
• Identify improvements in existing products and manufacturing processes to reduce cost and increase efficiency.
• Develop packaging optimization strategies for protection and cost reduction, including support for bulk shipments.
• Oversee the Engineering Change Notice (ECN) process for product updates or modifications, enforcing revision control and corrective action plans for all ECNs.
• Resolve field issues tied to manufacturing defects or incorrect hardware.
• Support Customer Service with product-related questions or concerns.
• Recommend and implement corrective actions such as product reworks, manufacturing process adjustments, or design modifications.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related field (BSME or BSCE preferred).
• 5-7 years of experience in a manufacturing setting is preferred.
• Proficiency in solid modeling, ideally using Autodesk Inventor.
• Experience with PDM systems, preferably Autodesk Vault.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, ideally Syteline.
• Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking abilities, with strong ownership and initiative in a minimal-supervision environment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and apply strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make independent, effective decisions.
• Ability to complete projects and meet project deadlines.

Preferred and technical strengths

• Knowledge of various materials and fabrication processes is a plus.
• LEAN principles training is preferred.

Tools you’ll work with

• Autodesk Inventor
• Autodesk Vault
• Syteline
• ERP
• PDM

Compensation and logistics

• Salary: USD 90,000 - 120,000 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Work location: In person (Waterford, CT 06385)
• Ability to commute: Waterford, CT 06385 (Required)
• Ability to relocate: Waterford, CT 06385 (Relocate before starting work, Required)

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance