Entry Level Product Development Jobs in Rhode Island

Job Description

The Applications Engineer delivers technical demonstrations, develops customer-focused applications, and provides ongoing technical support to help customers successfully implement advanced hardware and software solutions. This role works closely with sales, engineering, and marketing teams to translate customer needs into effective applications, while contributing to product development and maintaining strong customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hardware and software product demonstrations that clearly showcase technical features, capabilities, and processes to prospective and existing customers.
• Effectively communicate product benefits and value for complex customer applications in a clear and engaging way.
• Partner with the regional sales team to recommend appropriate products and solutions that align with customers’ application requirements.
• Prepare clear operating instructions and deliver training programs tailored to customer needs and skill levels.
• Build and maintain positive customer relationships through professional, timely, and effective communication.
• Prepare detailed technical specifications and documentation to support accurate and timely quotations.
• Develop programs and applications that meet or exceed customer specifications and objectives.
• Consult with customers to understand their requirements, gather feedback, and incorporate their needs into application designs.
• Provide responsive technical support to customers, troubleshooting issues and offering practical solutions.
• Ensure programs and applications function correctly after maintenance, updates, and testing, and verify performance against requirements.
• Analyze, update, and optimize existing programs and applications to improve performance, reliability, and usability.
• Take challenging technical issues from initial problem statement through root-cause analysis, solution development, implementation, and follow-up.
• Stay current with advancements in application engineering, manufacturing technologies, and related tools, and apply this knowledge to customer solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering and marketing teams on product development projects, contributing application insights from concept through launch.
• Learn from experienced Applications Engineers by observing, studying, and applying their techniques and best practices.
• Maintain and enhance technical skills by attending training classes, performing independent research, and participating in seminars as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support customers, the sales team, and internal engineering initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Approximately 6 months to 2 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a similar technical environment.
• Mechanical engineering knowledge and familiarity with manufacturing processes.
• Experience or exposure to CAD and CAM tools in an engineering or applications context.
• Understanding of CNC environments and related applications.
• Experience with testing, quality assurance, and product support activities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Comfort presenting and speaking in front of small groups, including customers and internal teams.
• Strong customer service skills and a commitment to supporting customer success.
• Creative and analytical mindset with the drive to solve problems and improve applications.
• Ability to work effectively under close direction and as part of a collaborative team.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience providing technical support for hardware and software products.
• Background in applications engineering, including developing and optimizing programs or applications.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into detailed technical specifications.
• Experience collaborating with sales, engineering, and marketing teams on customer projects or product development.
• Interest in continuous learning, including attending training classes, seminars, and engaging in independent research.
• Comfort working in a clean manufacturing and demo environment with exposure to production equipment and customer demonstrations.

This is a Contract position based out of North Kingstown, RI.

The pay range for this position is $34.50 - $37.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in North Kingstown,RI.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 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.