Lead Mechanical Engineer - Product Development

Role overview

Product development and engineering

• Lead projects from initial requirements through functional prototype and manufacturing readiness.
• Translate incomplete or evolving client requirements into engineering specifications and development plans.
• Develop product architectures, mechanisms, assemblies, enclosures, structural components, and electromechanical integration concepts.
• Calculate loads, stresses, fits, tolerances, motion, thermal behavior, material selection, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Identify technical risks and develop tests to reduce them.
• Review designs for performance, reliability, cost, usability, and manufacturability.
• Troubleshoot prototype failures and lead root-cause analysis and corrective action.

Design, prototyping, and testing

• Create and review 3D CAD models, assemblies, manufacturing drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance stack-up, fits, clearances, fastener selection, and assembly considerations.
• Maintain revision control, design records, bills of materials, specifications, and project documentation.
• Plan and supervise prototype fabrication and assembly; develop test plans, fixtures, acceptance criteria, and validation methods.
• Select suitable methods such as 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, casting, and standard component integration.
• Participate in prototype assembly, testing, debugging, and design iteration as needed.

Manufacturing coordination and leadership

• Work with machine shops, fabricators, moulders, suppliers, and contract manufacturers; review quotations, processes, tolerances, materials, and capabilities.
• Resolve manufacturing and assembly issues while protecting critical product requirements; support design for manufacturing and assembly, cost reduction, and production handover.
• Guide mechanical engineers, industrial designers, interns, and prototyping staff; assign tasks, establish practical engineering practices, and coach team members.
• Maintain accountability for timelines and quality and strengthen the organization’s technical capability.

Company and project context

Requirements

• Able to take technical ownership of complex product development projects and work independently.
• Able to translate incomplete or evolving client requirements into engineering specifications and development plans.
• Able to make engineering decisions, resolve prototype failures, and lead work through design, testing, iteration, and manufacturing handover.
• Able to guide and review engineers, designers, interns, and prototyping staff and maintain accountability for timelines and quality.
• Able to make sound engineering decisions when complete data or ideal resources are unavailable.
• Able to coordinate with clients, vendors, internal teams, and manufacturing partners.