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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to production, ensuring innovative designs come to life.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking engineering firm with a hands-on culture.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, hybrid work, 25 days holiday, and healthcare support.
- Other info: Enjoy early finishes on Fridays and opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product design and manufacturing processes.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 2 years' experience in product design.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire
Salary: £30,000 - £45,000 per annum (Dependent on Experience)
Job Type: Permanent | Full-Time
Impact Recruitment is supporting a well-established and highly innovative engineering and manufacturing business in their search for a Product Development Engineer. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys full lifecycle involvement - from concept design through to production and continuous improvement. This is a hands‑on, varied role where you will play a key part in developing new products, improving existing designs, and ensuring smooth transition into manufacturing.
The Role
You will take ownership of projects from initial concept through to production, working closely with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions.
Key Responsibilities Include
- End-to-end product development, including design, prototyping, testing, and production implementation
- Applying Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
- Supporting validation and verification activities to ensure compliance with relevant standards
- Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to develop products to specification
- Designing and developing jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids to improve production efficiency
- Providing technical support to manufacturing teams, troubleshooting issues on the shop floor
- Driving continuous improvement across product design and production processes
- Occasional UK and international travel as required
About You
We are keen to speak with proactive, solutions-focused engineers who thrive in a hands‑on environment.
You Will Ideally Have
- A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- At least 2 years' experience in product design and development within a manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of engineering standards and product development processes
- Proficiency in CAD software (ideally Autodesk Inventor)
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
- A practical mindset with the ability to balance design and production requirements
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
What’s On Offer
- Flexible working hours
- Hybrid working (Fridays)
- Early finish on Fridays
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Pension contribution (5%)
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Healthcare support scheme
- Free refreshments on-site
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking engineering business where you will have real influence over product development and manufacturing processes. If you're looking for a role that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to see your designs come to life, this could be the ideal next step.
NPI / Product Development Engineer employer: Impact Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Impact Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPI / Product Development Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to product development and engineering principles. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable discussing your experience and showcasing your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in product design and development. Include case studies that demonstrate your process from concept to production, as this will give potential employers a clear view of your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s a great way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and genuinely interested in joining our innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace NPI / Product Development Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Development Engineer role. Highlight your experience in product design and development, especially any hands-on projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects you've taken from concept to production. This is your chance to shine! We love seeing how you've applied DFM and DFA principles in real-world scenarios, so don't hold back.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your proactive approach and solutions-focused mindset, as these are key traits we value at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of product development processes and engineering standards. Be ready to discuss your experience with CAD software, especially Autodesk Inventor, as this will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to talk about specific projects you've worked on from concept to production. Highlight your role in applying Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles, and be ready to discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since the role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Emphasise your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to team success in previous roles.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company’s product development process and their approach to continuous improvement. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.