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Lead Product Development Engineer Jobs in California

KLA

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This role will lead to responsibility for next generation product development, from technology ... The engineer must be able to complete the initial diagnosis of any system issue, uncover root cause ...

Elco Lighting

Be Seen First

Product Development Engineer

Vernon, CA · On-site

$62K - $93K/yr

As a Product Development Engineer at Elco Lighting, you will play a pivotal role in the entire product lifecycle, from concept generation to final production. You will collaborate with cross ...

Orbotech

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA

This role will lead to responsibility for next generation product development, from technology ... The engineer must be able to complete the initial diagnosis of any system issue, uncover root cause ...

Kla

Product Development Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This role will lead to responsibility for next generation product development, from technology ... The engineer must be able to complete the initial diagnosis of any system issue, uncover root cause ...

Nvidia

Product Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

We are seeking Product Development Engineers who are experienced, creative problem solvers in ... Lead failure analysis of ATE-related escapes - specifically failures seen at system-level and ...

Abbott

Product Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

The Opportunity As a Product Development Engineer, you will be part of the Abbott R&D team ... Lead failure analysis activities, including mechanical evaluations, inspection, measurement ...

Nvidia

Product Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

We are seeking Product Development Engineers who are experienced, creative problem solvers in ... Work closely with qualification lead to ensure timelines are met, risks are highlighted, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsLead Product Development Engineer JobsLead Product Development Engineer Jobs in California

Lead Product Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$39K

$86.7K

$130.8K

How much do lead product development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead product development engineer in California is $86,733.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,100.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Lead Product Development Engineers in high-demand industries such as technology, aerospace, and biotech can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, and reaching this level typically requires specialized expertise and a strong track record of innovation.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Lead Product Development Engineers in high-demand industries such as technology, aerospace, or biotech can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, particularly in large corporations or startups with significant growth potential.

How does a Lead Product Development Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product lifecycle?

A Lead Product Development Engineer regularly works closely with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, quality assurance, marketing, and supply chain departments. This collaboration ensures that product requirements are clearly understood, technical challenges are addressed efficiently, and deliverables meet both customer and business expectations. Effective communication and project management are essential, as the Lead Engineer often facilitates meetings, integrates feedback, and aligns teams to maintain project timelines and quality standards. Cross-functional teamwork is especially critical during key phases such as prototyping, testing, and product launch.

What does a lead product engineer do?

A lead product development engineer oversees the design, development, and testing of new products, guiding engineering teams to meet project goals. They coordinate cross-functional efforts, ensure technical feasibility, and often use tools like CAD software and project management platforms. Strong technical skills, leadership ability, and experience in product lifecycle management are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Lead Product Development Engineer vs Product Development Engineer?

AspectLead Product Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, relevant certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, collaborates across departments, oversees project executionDesigns, develops, and tests products under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, manufacturing, and engineering firms for senior technical rolesCommon in similar industries for entry to mid-level roles

The Lead Product Development Engineer typically holds a senior technical position, overseeing product development teams and projects, while the Product Development Engineer focuses on designing and testing products under guidance. The lead role involves more leadership and strategic responsibilities, whereas the engineer role emphasizes technical execution.

What does a Lead Product Development Engineer do?

A Lead Product Development Engineer oversees the design, development, and testing of new products from concept to production. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project timelines, and ensure products meet both technical and market requirements. Additionally, they solve engineering challenges, mentor junior engineers, and communicate progress to stakeholders. Their role is critical in bringing innovative products to market efficiently and effectively.

What engineers make 200,000 a year?

Lead Product Development Engineers and senior engineers in specialized fields such as software, hardware, or systems engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or other incentives, and typically requires strong technical expertise and leadership abilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Product Development Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Product Development Engineer, you need expertise in engineering principles, product design, and project management, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering and relevant experience. Familiarity with CAD software, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and agile development methodologies is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you guide teams and collaborate across functions. These skills ensure innovative products are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and align with business objectives.
What are popular job titles related to Lead Product Development Engineer jobs in California? For Lead Product Development Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Product Development Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Product Development Engineer jobs in California are:
Lead Product Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Product Development Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,733 per year, or $41.7 per hour.
Lead Product Development Engineer

Lead Product Development Engineer

Spin Master

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$110K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Vision, Life

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Please Note: If you are a current Spin Master employee with access to Workday, apply to this job via the Workday application.
Are you a kid at heart looking to build a career with a leading global children's toy, entertainment and digital gaming company?
At Spin Master, our unwavering commitment to open mindedness, integrity and innovation is a great part of what has made us an industry leader. How do we stay ahead of the pack? By hiring the best and brightest minds-and that's why we want you!
Job Description:
What will you work on?
The Lead Product Development Engineer (Lead PDE) will be responsible for driving the technical execution of global toys, from concept through production, and ensuring performance, cost, quality, and schedule adherence. The position will provide expertise in proven techniques for successful product development and design for manufacturing/assembly. The Lead PDE will work closely with large cross-functional teams (Design, Marketing, Engineering, Quality, Packaging, etc.) to manage development throughout the entire product lifecycle.
How will you create impact?
  • Collaborate with GBU (Design and Brand teams) on generating new concepts and provide technical and cost assessment.
  • Ability to create and impart best practices to effectively support high complexity items, strategic initiatives, and early concept explorations.
  • Identify issues, formulate resolution action plan, and execute through to completion with limited oversight- leverage executive leadership and functional partners to gain necessary resources and support.
  • Lead strategic initiatives around operational innovation, efficiencies, or other improvements to significantly impact product development and/or processes.
  • Explore new materials, technology, and manufacturing processes to continuously push Spin Master to the forefront of product development.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure milestones and integration are on-time.
  • Provide mechanical, material, electro-mechanical, and/or mechatronic engineering expertise throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Lead prototyping and proof-of-concept builds to de-risk and test new mechanisms, key features, and/or gameplay feasibility.
  • Lead strategic initiatives around operational innovation, efficiencies, or other improvements to significantly impact product development and/or processes.
  • Detail design of components and products for manufacturing, optimizing DMF/A.
  • Create product and performance specifications.
  • Be key point of contact with Manufacturing Engineering teams (in Asia, Mexico, EU, etc), and ensure alignment on all project details.
  • Lead product review meetings and create action plan for technical deliverables.
  • Drive productivity by implementing design for manufacturing/assembly up front.
  • Use PLM software to manage and track key deliverables; proactively resolve potential issues to keep the product on track, on cost, and on specification.
  • Explore new materials, technology, and manufacturing processes
  • Ability to travel internationally to support projects.

What are your skills and experience?
  • Experience working with and/or managing creative professionals (designers and engineers) both within and outside the company.
  • Ability to mentor junior engineers, develop talent, and model professionalism.
  • Strong Knowledge of Solid Works, injection molding tooling and manufacturing processes.
  • BS/MS in Mechanical preferred
  • Experience with plastics, materials, manufacturing, and/or engineering costs for durable goods.
  • Toy or CPG experience an asset.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-HM1
The anticipated pay range for candidates who will work in Los Angeles is $110,000 to $115,000 Per Annum. The offered pay to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience within the job, years of experience within the required industry, education, etc. Spin Master Inc. is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work only in other states.
This job posting is tied to an open vacancy.
What you can expect from us:
Our mission is to Make Life More Fun with a vision to push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun.
  • Growth and Career Opportunities
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Innovation, Collaboration and Fun
  • Comprehensive Benefits
  • Other fun Perks!

What's it like to work here?
Spin Master is a fast-paced, hands-on organization that provides many great opportunities for impactful decision-making; though our challenging start-up atmosphere isn't for everyone, we have a proven record of opportunities for future advancement and internal transfers for our passionate and results driven team.
Everyone is welcome in our sandbox and we are committed to an accessible and inclusive hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants.
Spin Master strives to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes. Should you require an accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team, by email at TAinquiries@spinmaster.com or by phone at 416 364-6002 and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @SpinMaster to stay up to date on Spin Master career opportunities.
We do appreciate all interest; however only those selected for interview will be contacted.

Apply