Product Development Engineer Intern Jobs in California

Job Title: Product Development Engineer

Job Description

A growing engineering team is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the development of next-generation products within a confidential research and development environment. This position offers the opportunity to work on highly technical products from concept through commercialization while collaborating with cross-functional teams responsible for engineering analysis, validation, testing, certification, and manufacturing readiness. This is not a traditional CAD-heavy design role. The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex engineering problems, evaluating system performance, interpreting technical standards, and helping drive products through the complete development lifecycle. The successful candidate will thrive in an environment where products are being developed from the ground up and where initiative, curiosity, and technical problem-solving are highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Support products throughout the entire development lifecycle from concept through commercialization.
• Participate in product architecture reviews and system-level design decisions.
• Evaluate product performance and contribute to design improvements.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers.
• Perform engineering calculations and data analysis related to product performance.
• Analyze system behavior including thermal, fluid, mechanical, and electromechanical interactions.
• Interpret test results and provide technical recommendations.
• Develop and execute validation plans.
• Support prototype testing and troubleshooting activities.
• Design and build test fixtures when necessary.
• Analyze results and recommend design modifications.
• Assist with UL certification activities and product compliance requirements.
• Review engineering standards and determine applicability to products.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to support certification efforts.
• Help establish and improve product development methodologies.
• Drive best practices related to design validation, testing, risk evaluation, and product quality.
• Support future product roadmap activities.

Essential Skills

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in product development environments.
• Experience supporting products through multiple phases of development.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working on complex systems rather than individual components.
• Ability to learn new technical subject matter quickly.
• Experience with engineering calculations, testing, and validation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with thermodynamics, heat transfer, refrigeration, fluid systems, or related disciplines.
• Experience working with electromechanical products.
• Familiarity with UL, IEC, CE, FDA, aerospace, automotive, or similar regulatory standards.
• Experience developing test plans and validation protocols.
• SolidWorks or CAD experience.
• Experience supporting medium-to-high volume manufactured products.
• Mandarin language skills.

Work Environment

This role is based at a secret R&D testing site. The environment is a startup with a small team, requiring hands-on involvement in every aspect of building out the R&D test site. The site provides a great opportunity for growth as it develops prototypes and manufactures its own equipment. The work setting is dynamic and offers the chance to be part of an innovative team in a challenging and rewarding atmosphere.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Orange, CA.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $73.00/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 Orange,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 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.