Entry-Level Mechanical / Product Development Engineer
RKS Design – Thousand Oaks, CA
Full-Time | In-Office
RKS Design is seeking an Entry-Level Mechanical / Product Development Engineer to join our multidisciplinary product development team. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer who wants hands-on experience developing innovative products from concept through prototyping and production.
You will work closely with our Industrial Design, Engineering, Research, and Strategy teams on a wide variety of consumer, medical, commercial, and technology products.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of mechanical and electro-mechanical products from concept through production.
- Create and modify 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings.
- Work closely with industrial designers to help translate design concepts into functional and manufacturable products.
- Assist with component selection, materials research, and manufacturing-process evaluation.
- Design parts for manufacturing processes including plastic injection molding, sheet metal, machining, and additive manufacturing/3D printing.
- Build, assemble, and evaluate prototypes.
- Assist with product testing, documentation, and design verification.
- Perform basic tolerance analysis and help ensure proper fit and function of assemblies.
- Participate in design reviews and collaborative brainstorming sessions.
- Help identify and troubleshoot mechanical and manufacturing issues.
- Assist senior engineers with supplier, prototype, tooling, and production activities.
- Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
- Participate in client meetings and presentations as appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with designers, engineers, researchers, and project teams throughout the product-development process.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- 0–2 years of professional experience. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
- Experience with 3D parametric CAD through coursework, internships, personal projects, or professional experience.
- Basic understanding of mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with plastic injection molding, machining, sheet metal, or additive manufacturing is a plus.
- Working knowledge of engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, GD&T, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA).
- Hands-on interest in building, prototyping, testing, and understanding how products work.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Good organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, creative environment.
- Curious, motivated, and eager to learn.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is not only technically capable but also curious aboutproduct design and how great products are created. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems, building things, exploring new ideas, and collaborating with designers and engineers.
At RKS, you'll have the opportunity to work on real products, learn from experienced designers and engineers, interact with clients and manufacturing partners, and gain exposure to the entire product-development process—from early concepts to production.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- 0–2 years of professional experience. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
- Experience with 3D parametric CAD through coursework, internships, personal projects, or professional experience.
- Basic understanding of mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with plastic injection molding, machining, sheet metal, or additive manufacturing is a plus.
- Working knowledge of engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, GD&T, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA).
- Hands-on interest in building, prototyping, testing, and understanding how products work.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Good organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, creative environment.
- Curious, motivated, and eager to learn.
Benefits
Medical coverage.
Standard holidays / vacation time