Product Development Engineer
Hailsham, East Sussex
Full Time | Permanent
Competitive salary, dependent on experience, apply for details
37 hours per week, Monday-Friday, flexible start and finish times
Early finish Friday (latest 2:00pm)
Are you an experienced Product Development Engineer looking to take ownership of a product range with real impact? This role offers the chance to lead innovation, quality, and cost optimisation across a core suite of mechanical products, supporting leading-edge scientific and high-precision engineering sectors.
As a Product Development Engineer, you'll manage one of our key product ranges from concept to improvement—driving innovation, delivering improvements, reducing cost, and enhancing quality. You'll work across NPI, value engineering, supplier liaison, and product lifecycle management, balancing hands-on mechanical knowledge with strong technical documentation and problem-solving skills.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead product innovation, cost optimisation, and lifecycle support for an assigned product range
* Reverse-engineer and benchmark competitor products to improve competitive position
* Manage NPI feasibility studies, development timelines, and stakeholder updates
* Create CAD BOMs, engineering packs, and support prototype build and test
* Identify and implement quality improvements and lead 8D root cause analysis
* Provide technical support for production, procurement, and customer quotations
* Support engineering changes and ensure up-to-date BOMs and documentation
* Apply value engineering strategies and assist with make/buy analysis
* Ensure compliance with DFM and BS 8888 standards
Requirements Essential:
* HNC/D in Mechanical and Production Engineering
* Proven background in component and assembly-level product engineering
* CAD skills (preferably PTC Creo 5 or above)
* Hands-on and practical approach to design and prototyping
* Knowledge of DFM principles and technical documentation
* Microsoft Office and 3D CAD proficiency
* Root Cause Analysis / 8D investigation experience
Desirable:
* Mechanical Engineering degree
* Experience with Microsoft Dynamics
* Practical machining or mechanical build background (milling, turning, assembly)
TPA Recruit is a specialist recruitment agency acting on behalf of our client to source and assess suitable candidates for this position. All applications will be reviewed and processed by our team, who will liaise directly with shortlisted individuals throughout the hiring process