Product Development Engineer

Job Description: Product Development Engineer

The Product Development Engineer will design and develop high-speed connector and cable systems that support rapidly growing data storage, telecommunications, and hyperscale applications. This role leads product development from initial concept through feasibility, detailed mechanical design, validation, and release to high-volume production. The position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, highly skilled team focused on innovative, cutting-edge components that enable modern data infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development projects from early concept through high-volume production, ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability targets.
• Develop early concepts and perform feasibility studies to evaluate design options for high-speed connector and cable systems.
• Create and refine detailed mechanical designs, including 3D models and engineering documentation, to support prototyping and production.
• Perform simulation and analysis, including finite element analysis (FEA), to predict product performance and optimize designs.
• Conduct DFMEA/DMFEA risk identification to systematically assess and mitigate potential design and manufacturing failure modes.
• Create comprehensive test plans that define test methods, conditions, and acceptance criteria for product validation.
• Execute validation testing, working hands-on with prototypes and test equipment to verify product performance against requirements.
• Analyze test and validation data to understand product behavior, identify issues, and confirm that performance targets are met.
• Iterate on designs based on simulation results, test data, and risk assessments to improve robustness, performance, and manufacturability.
• Assess release readiness by confirming that design, testing, risk mitigation, and documentation are complete for transition to high-volume manufacturing.
• Select materials based on performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost, in collaboration with internal experts, suppliers, and external laboratories.
• Evaluate material behavior under stress, heat, and environmental conditions, and adjust material choices when test data indicates the need for change.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Downers Grove, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

Benefits available upon offer stage

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Downers Grove,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.