Product Engineer

Job Title: Lead Product Engineer

Job Description

The Lead Product Engineer serves as a member of the engineering team and leads the design, development, release, and validation of battery packs for customized applications in industrial and low-voltage automotive markets. This role evaluates user requirements, translates them into detailed product specifications and validation goals for complex projects, and ensures that safety and quality standards are rigorously met. The Lead Product Engineer collaborates closely with engineering, sales, and customer-facing teams, may use requirements management software, and takes ownership of product design, safety documentation, and design quality records.

Responsibilities

• Review customer requirements and translate them into clear, detailed technical system specifications.
• Apply systems engineering methodologies to design and develop battery packs for customized industrial and low-voltage automotive applications.
• Lead safety analyses for projects, including Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and Failure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA).
• Participate in the development and continuous improvement of safety processes to meet relevant certification requirements.
• Perform technical assessments and prepare documentation to demonstrate compliance with applicable specifications and standards, including UL and other industry requirements.
• Partner with test and simulation teams to define and implement a Design Verification Plan (DVP) that ensures thorough verification and validation of product engineering goals.
• Engage with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner engineering teams to ensure proper processes, alignment, and seamless integration of battery pack solutions.
• Handle tasks of significant complexity with minimal supervision, demonstrating a high degree of technical competence, precision, and attention to detail.
• Follow established engineering processes and contribute to their improvement to ensure strong cross-functional coordination and high-quality work products.
• Report project progress regularly, identify and communicate risks in a timely manner, and propose effective mitigation strategies.
• Own and maintain product design documentation, safety analyses, and design quality documents throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal engineering, sales, and customer-facing teams to align technical solutions with customer needs and business objectives.

Essential Skills

• Minimum Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Mechanical Engineering (ME).
• At least 7 years of relevant product engineering experience in the electronics, battery, or mobility industries (experience in these sectors is preferred).
• Strong background in mechanical and safety aspects of product engineering, particularly for battery systems.
• Experience with battery testing and validation activities for industrial or automotive applications.
• Working knowledge of electrical hardware, including wire harnesses, and an understanding of electrical circuit theory applicable to the mobility industry.
• Proficiency in writing clear, structured, and testable requirements based on user and system needs.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems engineering methodologies to complex electro-mechanical products.
• Proven capability to lead safety analyses such as HARA, DFMEA, and FMEDA for complex systems.
• Ability to manage complex tasks independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high technical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with internal teams and OEM partners and for reporting project status and risks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with requirements management tools such as DOORS, Integrity, or ViSure.
• Familiarity with systems engineering standards and best practices, including those promoted by organizations such as INCOSE.
• Experience working with certification bodies and preparing documentation for standards such as UL.
• Exposure to industrial and low-voltage automotive applications and their specific safety and compliance requirements.
• Ability to contribute to the development and improvement of safety processes and engineering workflows.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to propose effective risk mitigations in complex engineering projects.

Work Environment

The Lead Product Engineer works in a collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment focused on the development of battery packs for industrial and low-voltage automotive applications. The role involves close interaction with engineering, test and simulation, sales, and customer-facing teams, as well as regular engagement with OEM partner engineering organizations. The position requires extensive use of engineering tools and software, including requirements management tools (such as DOORS, Integrity, or ViSure) and documentation platforms for safety and compliance. Work is primarily office and lab-based, with a strong emphasis on process discipline, safety, and high-quality deliverables. The environment supports independent work on complex tasks while encouraging continuous improvement of processes and coordination across teams.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $62.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Ann Arbor,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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.