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Product Development Assistant Jobs in Detroit, MI

National Food Group

Product Development Specialist

Novi, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support technical aspects of new product development projects and line extensions. * Assist in identifying ingredients, suppliers, and manufacturing partners that support innovation and product ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Development Engineer

Dearborn, MI · Hybrid

$84K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

We are seeking a dedicated and highly analytical Software Product Engineer to join our team ... Knowledge of voice assistant technologies, natural language processing (NLP), and speech ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Development Engineer

Dearborn, MI · Hybrid

$115K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

... development skills in C++ or Python to design and build automated, autonomous acoustic test ... assistants, Siri, and Enhanced Siri). Preferred Qualifications: * Automotive Communication ...

fng

Product Engineer

Allen Park, MI · On-site

Product Development Team Review of drawings and prototypes for functionality, reliability and ease of manufacture. * Assist the product development team with keeping development on schedule. * Ensure ...

Flex-N-Gate

Product Engineer

Allen Park, MI · On-site

Product Development Team Review of drawings and prototypes for functionality, reliability and ease of manufacture. * Assist the product development team with keeping development on schedule. * Ensure ...

fng

Product Engineer

Allen Park, MI · On-site

Product Development Team Review of drawings and prototypes for functionality, reliability and ease of manufacture. * Assist the product development team with keeping development on schedule. * Ensure ...

Flex-N-Gate

Product Engineer

Allen Park, MI · On-site

Product Development Team Review of drawings and prototypes for functionality, reliability and ease of manufacture. * Assist the product development team with keeping development on schedule. * Ensure ...

fng

Product Engineer

Allen Park, MI · On-site

Product Development Team Review of drawings and prototypes for functionality, reliability and ease of manufacture. * Assist the product development team with keeping development on schedule. * Ensure ...

Murata Americas

Business Development Engineer

Novi, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Place: * Assist Manager in activities to recognize the total demand for the assigned products at ... Well-developed presentation skills as well as facilitation skills to work among individuals from a ...

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All JobsProduct Development JobsProduct Development Assistant JobsProduct Development Assistant Jobs in Detroit, MI

Product Development Assistant information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$14

$24

$41

How much do product development assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for product development assistant in Detroit, MI is $24.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a product development assistant do?

A product development assistant performs a wide range of duties to support product developers with the design and development of new products. As a product development assistant, your responsibilities may include creating customer product manuals, conducting research into product improvements, and testing prototypes of new products. The qualifications for a career as a product development assistant vary depending on the work environment and employer, but typically require a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field and relevant experience. You may also find entry-level positions with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Additional qualifications include project management and organizational skills, knowledge of manufacturing and production processes, and problem-solving abilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product development assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Development Assistant, you need a solid understanding of product lifecycle management, strong organizational skills, and typically a degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Asana or Trello), Microsoft Office Suite, and sometimes basic knowledge of design software is important. Attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally are standout soft skills in this position. These abilities ensure smooth coordination of product activities, timely project execution, and effective support for product managers and development teams.

What are the typical challenges a product development assistant faces when coordinating between cross-functional teams?

Product Development Assistants often act as a bridge between departments such as design, marketing, and manufacturing. A common challenge in this role is ensuring clear communication and alignment on project timelines, specifications, and changes. Balancing multiple priorities while managing feedback from various stakeholders requires strong organizational skills and adaptability. Successful assistants are proactive in clarifying expectations and quickly addressing any issues that may arise, helping to keep projects on track.
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Product Development Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development Assistant job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,334 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Product Development Specialist

National Food Group

Novi, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Product Development Specialist
Department: Product Development
Reports To: Product Development Director
Employment Type: Contract
Job Summary
National Food Group is seeking an innovative and driven Product Development Specialist to join our Product Development team in a temporary role, with the potential to transition into a full-time position based on performance and business needs.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a hands-on role in developing and launching food products that serve K-12 students across the country. Working closely with manufacturing partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, you will help bring new product ideas to life while supporting the continuous improvement of our existing portfolio.
The ideal candidate is passionate about food innovation, curious about consumer and market trends, and energized by turning insights into commercially successful products. You'll leverage industry research, customer feedback, and market data to identify growth opportunities and support the development of products that meet the evolving needs of school nutrition programs.
Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate the technical and operational challenges of product commercialization across multiple manufacturing environments. If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and making a meaningful impact through food innovation, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
  • Support growth and innovation initiatives for Zee Zees product lines.
  • Partner with manufacturers on formula and flavor development activities, including benchtop sample creation.
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute plant trials with manufacturing partners to support product and process commercialization and continuous improvement.
  • Support technical aspects of new product development projects and line extensions.
  • Assist in identifying ingredients, suppliers, and manufacturing partners that support innovation and product growth.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to accelerate speed-to-market.
  • Validate product claims and ensure K12 nutrition regulations are met with cross functional team guidance.
  • Update and maintain existing products to accommodate label changes, regulatory updates, and business requirements.
  • Assist in managing the product lifecycle from concept development through commercialization.
Qualifications
Education amp; Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dietetics, or a related field with demonstrated experience supporting product scale-up, plant trials, and commercialization activities.
  • Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in food product development.
  • Hands-on experience working with food manufacturers and/or co-manufacturing partners, including plant trials, scale-up activities, and commercialization support.
  • Experience developing retail and/or foodservice products from concept through commercialization.
  • Experience troubleshooting formulation, processing, or manufacturing challenges during product development and commercialization.
Skills amp; Competencies
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Effective conflict resolution and relationship management skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
What We're Looking For
  • A creative thinker who can identify emerging trends and uncover opportunities for innovation.
  • Someone who is open to learning, coaching, and continuous professional growth.
  • A self-starter with a strong work ethic and a results-driven mindset.
  • An individual who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and embraces change.
We love when our team members are happy and healthy! At National Food Group, you'll have the following benefits and perks:
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision care insurance
  • Group life amp; voluntary life insurance
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Flexible savings plan
  • Short-term amp; long-term disability
  • PTO amp; PTO buy up
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Wellness reimbursement
Our office work environment:
Works in a temperature-controlled office environment.
This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made to fulfill these requirements.
The above statements generally describe the principal and essential functions of the job but should not be construed as a detailed description of all essential functions that may be inherent in the job.
Equal Employment Opportunity
National Food Group is an equal opportunity employer.
*Please also include your salary requirements when submitting your resume.

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