At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform innovative designs into manufacturable products using SolidWorks and collaborate with teams in China.
- Company: Award-winning British manufacturer of high-end pushchairs and nursery products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and mental health support.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to mentor junior engineers and work in a dynamic studio environment.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and shape the future of design in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in product design and advanced SolidWorks skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Own a product from an industrial designer's concept through to full production, running the Solid Works, the mechanisms, the moulding and the China relationship yourself.
This Product Design Engineer role in Biggleswade pays £50,000 to £55,000 with hybrid working available after probation.
Scope of the Role
As a Product Design Engineer, you will take concepts from the in-house industrial designer and turn them into manufacturable products, owning the engineering from CAD through to production:
- Model multi-part assemblies, linkages, mechanisms and complex surfacing in Solid Works at an advanced level .
- Drive design for manufacture across metals and plastics, including moulding, overmoulding and tooling.
- Own the relationship with the China engineering team, travelling out two to three times a year.
- Mentor a more junior engineer moving into Solid Works and design.
- Key Skills and Experience Required
- Extensive experience as a Product Design Engineer, Design Engineer or Mechanical Design Engineer, concept to production.
- Advanced Solid Works, including multi-part assemblies, linkages, mechanisms and complex surfacing, built unaided.
- A solid background in metals and plastics, injection moulding, overmoulding and mechanism design.
- Experience handing designs to manufacturing, ideally with China or Far East exposure.
- FEA experience is an advantage, not essential.
Salary and Benefits
- Hybrid working, three days on-site, available after a successful probation period
- 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy more
- Pension contribution
- Mental health and wellbeing support, including 24/7 GP access
- Employee discount scheme and death in service insurance
As a Product Design Engineer here, you will join a small, tight design team of four to five, working alongside three engineers in China.
This British, family-owned manufacturer of high-end pushchairs and nursery products is sold on design and pride of ownership as much as function, and has recently won an i F Design award, a Red Dot award and a Queen's Award.
The newly refurbished studio has an open-plan floor and a fully kitted workshop.
The business is growing and moving beyond its core category, giving you real scope to shape what comes next.
How to Apply
Want to find out more about this Product Design Engineer role? Click apply and we'll be in touch.
Product Design Engineer in Luton employer: Kodu
Kodu is an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and creativity in the field of robotic prosthetics. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of significant projects while enjoying a flexible hybrid working environment in Leeds. The collaborative work culture encourages direct access to technical leadership, making it a rewarding place for passionate engineers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Design Engineer in Luton
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Kodu!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Kodu would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Kodu through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Engineer in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Design Engineer, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Design Engineer position at Kodu. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kodu
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
