Product Development Engineer

The Product Development Engineer is responsible for the delivery of new hardline products into production on schedule within the parameters of price, product function, play value and quality. Working closely with, and under the mentorship of the Head of Product Development, the Product Development Engineer will work with the HK product development team and our chosen vendors to ensure product is produced to the required standards and timescales.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the development process of each hardline product you are responsible for including writing the briefs, managing the UK developed prototype samples, reviewing all factory product costs and initial samples, coordinating all additional revisions to the designer to deliver the final agreed product, taking direction from the Brand Managers and liaising with the HK development team to achieve the best product solution.
• Using your mechanical and electrical engineering knowledge to ensure detailed product designs are robust and fit for purpose.
• Working closely with the Quality Manager to deliver every product to the required safety and testing standards, including risk assessment and due diligence.
• Adjusting the design as required ensuring each product is safe, robust and to the highest standards possible within commercial constraints.
• Take financial ownership of your product development costs within agreed budgets.
• Monitoring and coordinating factory spend, all prototype sample quotes, commissioning external resources and reviewing product tooling expenditure, adjusting spend where needed.
• Once a product is ordered, you will manage its product development process into full production.
• Coordinating all aspects of the process with the HK team, Design / Graphics teams, and the Brand Managers.
• Work with Brand Managers and HK product teams to define project critical paths and deliver consistently against these.
• Assist the Brand Managers with preparing materials for sales or marketing presentations as required.
• Communicate progress updates to key internal stakeholders and present updates both internally and to external clients when required.
• Build a strong working relationship with the HK Product Development team as well as the other members of the UK Product Development team.
• Understand your role in delivering the company's objectives and take responsibility for your personal growth, soliciting regular feedback on your performance.

Key Capabilities

• You will be educated to degree level (or with the equivalent experience) in a product engineering-based subject, and you will be able to demonstrate a fluency for the product development process for plastics, including an understanding of different materials and their properties.
• Knowledge and experience of manufacturing in Asia is essential.
• Sports or electronic games experience is desirable but not essential.
• You will have an eye for detail and a thorough understanding of production and assembly of plastic consumer items, including knowledge of plastic injection moulding, plastic materials, and related processes.
• You will possess an understanding of Quality Assurance for mass produced consumer products.
• You will have the confidence and ability to read, interpret, and critically assess CAD drawings and technical designs, with an understanding of associated mechanical, electrical, and engineering concepts to identify practical, innovative solutions to improve product performance, manufacturability and user experience.
• Designing in CAD for engineering purposes would be advantageous, but it is not essential.
• You will be proactive, hands on, and driven.
• You thrive on taking ownership and accountability for the successful delivery of multiple projects and products within set deadlines and budgets.
• With strong project management skills, you can effectively prioritise and manage risk, issues, timelines, and stakeholders with discretion and tact.
• You will be naturally curious and technically minded, with a passion for understanding how products work and perform and will have the initiative to deliver creative thinking and problem solving throughout a product’s journey.
• You will be resilient and adaptable, remaining calm under pressure, and able to respond positively to change.
• You will be a strong communicator who can confidently collaborate with cross functional teams and external partners.
• You can present ideas, technical information, and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

If you think this role is for you, then it’s time to get your application started. Please send your CV to careers@goldenbeartoys.co.uk by Monday 18 May 2026.