Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer – Hardware
Chula Vista, CA (Onsite)
Kelly Engineering is partnering with a well-established, innovation-driven company in the scientific instrumentation space. This organization designs and manufactures specialized laboratory equipment used by major pharmaceutical companies and research institutions worldwide.
They are seeking a hands-on Product Development Engineer who can take ownership of hardware products from concept through production and customer support.
This is not a narrow corporate role. It’s ideal for an engineer who enjoys making real design decisions, working across mechanical and electrical systems, and having visible impact inside a small, fast-moving organization.

What You’ll Do
Lead new hardware product development from concept through production
Design and integrate mechanical systems with electronics
Build and test prototypes, iterate quickly, and resolve technical challenges
Evaluate design tradeoffs including cost, manufacturability, and performance
Collaborate with contract manufacturers and external partners
Troubleshoot products in the field and support customers when needed
Improve reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability
Work closely with leadership on product direction and long-term planning
What They’re Looking For
5+ years of hands-on hardware product development experience
Strong mechanical engineering background
Working knowledge of electronics and embedded systems
Experience taking products from concept to production
Comfortable interacting directly with customers
Able to operate independently in a small-company environment
Nice to have:
Startup or small-company experience
SolidWorks proficiency
Experience working with contract manufacturers
Personal electronics projects (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc.)

Compensation
Base salary range: $115,000 – $130,000 depending on experience and scope of ownership.
Full-time, onsite in Chula Vista, CA. Some travel required (including occasional international travel).

If you’re an engineer who prefers ownership over specialization and enjoys building real-world products used globally, we’d love to connect.

Apply directly or message me for a confidential conversation.
Show more Show less