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Mechanical Engineer Product Development information

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$51K

$91.3K

$125K

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

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical engineer product development in the United States is $91,283.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is product development in mechanical engineering?

Product development in mechanical engineering involves designing, prototyping, testing, and refining new mechanical products or systems. Mechanical engineers use CAD software, materials knowledge, and engineering principles to create functional, manufacturable designs that meet performance and safety standards.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or senior roles in software and systems engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and leadership responsibilities, typically found in senior management or executive-level roles within large organizations.

What does a Mechanical Engineer in Product Development do?

A Mechanical Engineer in Product Development is responsible for designing, developing, and testing new products or improvements to existing products. They work closely with cross-functional teams such as industrial design, manufacturing, and quality assurance to bring products from concept to production. Their tasks often include creating 3D models, performing simulations, selecting materials, and ensuring that products meet safety and performance standards. This role requires strong problem-solving skills and a good understanding of engineering principles and manufacturing processes.

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineer Product Development vs Mechanical Engineer Design?

AspectMechanical Engineer Product DevelopmentMechanical Engineer Design
Primary FocusDeveloping new products, prototypes, and bringing concepts to marketCreating detailed designs, drawings, and specifications for components or systems
Work EnvironmentCross-functional teams, R&D labs, manufacturing settingsDesign offices, CAD workstations, engineering departments
Required SkillsProduct lifecycle knowledge, prototyping, testing, CAD, project managementCAD proficiency, technical drawing, material selection, design analysis

Mechanical Engineer Product Development focuses on transforming ideas into market-ready products through prototyping and testing, while Mechanical Engineer Design emphasizes creating detailed technical drawings and specifications for manufacturing. Both roles require strong CAD skills and engineering fundamentals but differ in their end goals within the product creation process.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior mechanical engineers involved in product development, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, or leadership roles, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High salaries are often associated with working in industries like aerospace, automotive, or technology, and may require advanced degrees, certifications, and expertise in CAD tools and project management.

How does a Mechanical Engineer in Product Development typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the design process?

Mechanical Engineers in Product Development frequently work alongside electrical engineers, industrial designers, manufacturing specialists, and project managers to ensure that products are both technically feasible and aligned with market needs. Collaboration often involves regular design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and prototyping phases where feedback is shared and integrated. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as priorities can shift based on testing outcomes or stakeholder input. This cross-disciplinary teamwork helps accelerate innovation and ensures the final product meets quality, cost, and timeline goals.

Can mechanical engineers work in product design?

Yes, mechanical engineers often work in product design, applying their knowledge of materials, mechanics, and CAD software to develop new products. They collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and may be involved in prototyping, testing, and refining designs to meet functional and safety standards.

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

To thrive as a Mechanical Engineer in Product Development, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, CAD design, and prototyping, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, FEA software, and experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems are highly valued. Creativity, problem-solving, and strong teamwork skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure effective design, innovation, and successful collaboration throughout the development process, resulting in market-ready products.
What cities are hiring for Mechanical Engineer Product Development jobs? Cities with the most Mechanical Engineer Product Development job openings:
What states have the most Mechanical Engineer Product Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Mechanical Engineer Product Development jobs include:
Mechanical Engineer Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mechanical Engineer Product Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 12% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,283 per year, or $43.9 per hour.
Mechanical Engineer, Product Development

Mechanical Engineer, Product Development

JB Poindexter & Co., Inc.

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Production Development
Location: Ann Arbor, MI (Required)
Company & Position Overview:
JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting $2.75B in annual revenue and 9,000 team members in 2026. JBPCO prides itself on providing best-in-class commercial automotive and industrial vehicles. The nine operating subsidiaries, covering approximately 70 locations, are engaged in the production of commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, funeral coaches, limousines, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, pickup truck bed enclosures, and commercial packaging. For more information about our industry leading brands and products, visit JBPoindexter.com or connect on LinkedIn.
We are the Corporate Engineering and Product Development organization within JB Poindexter & Co., supporting nine business units across the company's portfolio of commercial vehicle and upfit solutions spanning Class 1-7 vehicles. This team leads the development and launch of innovative products and technologies across a diverse set of applications and end markets.
We operate in a highly dynamic, project-based environment, managing programs ranging from rapid development cycles (weeks) to complex, multi-year product launches, while partnering closely with business units, customers, and suppliers to bring fresh solutions to market.
We are seeking a versatile and hands-on Mechanical Engineer with 2 - 4 years of experience to join our Corporate Engineering team. You will serve as an internal centralized engineering resource supporting multiple businesses across our organization, working on a wide range of product development projects. While the primary focus is commercial truck bodies, you will also support one-off accessory designs and custom engineering requests for testing and manufacturing-ideal for an engineer who enjoys variety and is not locked into a narrow specialty.
This role blends design, analysis, prototyping, manufacturing support, supplier interaction, and customer engagement. We are looking for a well-rounded engineer who thrives in both CAD and hands-on shop environments.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Product Development & Design
• Lead and contribute to the design of commercial truck bodies and related mechanical systems.
• Support custom accessories, retrofit, and specialty engineering projects across multiple business units.
• Develop 3D models and engineering drawings using SolidWorks.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and proper documentation practices.
Engineering Analysis
• Perform structural and mechanical simulations (i.e., FEA).
• Evaluate designs for durability in heavy-duty, high-vibration, and high-load environments.
• Use sound engineering principles to ensure reliability, manufacturability, and safety.
• Competitive benchmarking activities, reverse engineering, VAVE
Manufacturing, Prototyping & 3D Printing
• Work closely with in-house prototype and fabrication teams to ensure manufacturable designs.
• Provide DFM guidance for production processes and manufacturing lines.
• Participate in hands-on prototype builds, fit checks, and validation activities.
• Utilize 3D printing for prototyping, concept evaluation, fixtures, or low-volume components.
• Incorporate additive manufacturing constraints and capabilities into design work when applicable.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, designers, fabricators, and cross functional teams.
• Serve as an internal centralized engineering resource to multiple business units, supporting diverse project needs.
• Communicate directly with customers to gather requirements, present designs, and provide technical insights.
• Work with suppliers on feasibility reviews, design improvements, and manufacturing considerations.
Project Leadership & Mentoring
• Lead engineering projects from concept through design release and handoff.
• Support multi-disciplinary project teams as a key contributor.
• Train, mentor, and guide interns, new engineers, and junior technical staff.
Qualifications and Skills:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2 - 4 years of experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in automotive or commercial vehicle industries.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of:
o GD&T
o Tolerance analysis
o Product lifecycle
o DFMEA / PFMEA
o DFM
o DVP&R
• Familiarity with automotive and commercial truck standards (SAE, ISO, FMVSS).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Hands-on prototyping and experience with 3D printing technologies.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with body design
• Background working with heavy-duty or fleet vehicle environments.
• Experience using COMSOL or similar FEA tools.
• Practical fabrication, machining, or shop-floor experience.
• Control systems understanding
• Experience with Microsoft Suite of tools
• Strong communication skills for customer and cross-functional interactions.
• Comfort working in an engineering team with diverse project scopes.
What We Are Looking For:
• A broad, adaptable problem solver-not overly specialized.
• Someone who enjoys a mix of CAD, analysis, prototyping, and hands-on engineering.
• A team-oriented engineer who can lead when necessary and support others when needed.
• A self starter who thrives working on varied projects in a dynamic environment.
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