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Product Development Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Midea

Refrigeration R&D Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

Refrigeration R&D Engineer Job Summary: The Refrigeration R&D Engineer is responsible for the ... Duties/Responsibilities: • Analyze consumer insights, product performance data, and competitive ...

Midea

Refrigeration R&D Engineer

Louisville, KY

Refrigeration R&D Engineer Job Summary: The Refrigeration R&D Engineer is responsible for the ... Duties/Responsibilities: · Analyze consumer insights, product performance data, and competitive ...

KCC Companies

R&D Engineer

Simpsonville, KY · On-site

Collaborate with New Product Development (NPD) and Product Engineering (PE) teams. * Engage with ... HVAC industry associations to influence code changes and technology adoption. * Use your ...

Tarter Farm and Ranch

Product Engineer

Liberty, KY · On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

As an Engineer Product within the manufacturing industry, you will play a pivotal role in designing ... development. * Communicate effectively with suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ...

Bertelsmann

Hardware Development Engineer

KY · On-site

$113K - $149K/yr

With 20,000 team members at over 100 locations, we focus on the Consumer Products, Tech, Health ... Knowledge of programming in C, C++, C# and firmware development desirable * Analytical skills ...

Arvato

Hardware Development Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

With 20,000 team members at over 100 locations, we focus on the Consumer Products, Tech, Health ... Knowledge of programming in C, C++, C# and firmware development desirable * Analytical skills ...

Komatsu

Director, Crushing Products

Lexington, KY · On-site

$200K - $209K/yr

Lead, align, and develop Product Management and Applications teams while driving cross-functional execution across Business Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Product Support, and ...

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Product Development Engineer information

See Kentucky salary details

$34.3K

$76.3K

$115.1K

How much do product development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development engineer in Kentucky is $76,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $86,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Product Development Engineer do?

A Product Development Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing new products or improving existing ones. They work closely with cross-functional teams such as design, manufacturing, and marketing to bring innovative products from concept to production. Their tasks often include prototyping, conducting feasibility studies, addressing technical challenges, and ensuring that products meet quality and safety standards. Product Development Engineers play a crucial role in transforming ideas into market-ready products that fulfill customer needs.

What Is a Product Development Engineer?

A product development engineer designs manufactured goods by integrating market research to deliver products that will meet company goals. As a product development engineer, you will be working on all stages of the production process, from research and development to prototype testing and quality assurance. You may work in any number of fields, from the automotive industry or medical device manufacturing to developing new soaps or food products. Typically, you work as part of a team, sometimes leading a group of engineers through the design and production process. Your duties include creating drafts and blueprints, assessing proper materials, setting goals, and researching competitive products.

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

Product Development Engineers work closely with teams such as design, manufacturing, marketing, and quality assurance throughout the product lifecycle. They often facilitate communication to ensure that product specifications align with customer needs and production capabilities. Regular meetings and collaborative problem-solving sessions are common, as these engineers help translate technical requirements into actionable plans. This collaborative approach not only streamlines development but also fosters innovation and ensures the final product meets both technical and market expectations.

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

To thrive as a Product Development Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, product design, and project management, typically supported by a degree in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering fields. Proficiency with CAD software, prototyping tools, and familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across teams and innovate solutions. These skills and qualities are essential for efficiently developing market-ready products that meet user needs and business objectives.

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

AspectProduct Development EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Industrial, or related engineering; often some experience in product designBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; licensure optional for certain roles
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing settings, cross-functional teamsDesign offices, manufacturing plants, research labs
Industry UsageProduct design, consumer electronics, automotive, aerospaceMechanical systems, HVAC, manufacturing equipment, automotive

Product Development Engineers focus on designing and developing new products, often working closely with cross-functional teams to bring concepts to market. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on mechanical systems and components across various industries. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Product Development Engineers typically emphasize product design and innovation, whereas Mechanical Engineers may work on a wider range of mechanical systems.

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What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Product Development Engineer jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Product Development Engineer job openings:
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Product Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development Engineer job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,330 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Refrigeration R&D Engineer

Midea

Louisville, KY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About Midea America Corp:
Midea America Corp. is one of the world's largest home appliance brands, offering the most comprehensive selection of products in the world to fully serve the needs of day-to-day living at home, at work, or anywhere else you go. In North America, we strive to aim high, put the customer first, transform, and innovate the marketplace, utilizing our commitment, dedication, inclusion, and partnership with our teams. We are a global company with over 150,000 employees and operations in more than 195 countries. As a publicly listed company, we are also ranked #245 as a Fortune Global 500 company and offer one of the most comprehensive ranges in the home appliance industry.
Job Title: Refrigeration R&D Engineer
Job Summary:
The Refrigeration R&D Engineer is responsible for the research and development of North American Refrigerator Products, focusing on mechanical component and structural design, feature development, collaboration, and establishing plans and milestone tracking. This position is full-time and fully on-site, with some domestic and international travel required (less than 10% annually).
Duties/Responsibilities:
• Analyze consumer insights, product performance data, and competitive benchmarking to ideate, package, and pitch new technologies and feature concepts for inclusion in a multigenerational product and technology roadmap.
• Own feature design and development from concept to production. Create robust digital and physical models, new specifications, and expand the intellectual property portfolio for Refrigerator products.
• Own prototype design and fabrication, optimizing for fabrication methods, post-processing, and material selection in both additive and subtractive rapid prototyping manufacturing.
• Design and build experimental test setups to validate novel features for function, quality, and reliability. Author test procedures, analyze experimental data, and develop new specifications.
• Responsible for quality, cost, and reliability improvements of related parts.
• Assist with root cause analyses and develop design and quality improvement projects based on field returns, quality data, and testing.
• Implement projects and special tasks as needed.
• Travel to China is required less than 10% annually.
Required Skills/Abilities:
• Proficient in parametric modeling in SolidWorks, UG, Creo or AutoCAD.
• Proficient with additive and subtractive rapid prototyping methods.
• Familiarity with plastics manufacturing and metal fabrication.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Organized, self-starter with strong task-prioritization skills.
• Familiarity with patents and refrigeration technology trends.
• Structural, thermal, or CFD simulation experience is a plus.
• Basic experience with microcontrollers for automation and data logging is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years of ice and water feature development or innovation experience.
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of refrigeration experience working in product development or innovation.
• Experience with UG, Creo, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar modeling software.
• Familiarity with patents and technology trends in refrigeration.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement:
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

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