Product Development Mechanical Engineer

Description

Bring Innovative Outdoor Products to Life

At GSM Outdoors, we design, develop, and deliver products that enhance the outdoor experience. With a portfolio of trusted brands across hunting, shooting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, our Product Development team is responsible for turning ideas into innovative, functional, and market-ready products.

We are seeking a Product Development Mechanical Engineer to support the design and development of consumer products from initial concept through production. This role will work closely with Designers, Brand Managers, Project Managers, manufacturing partners, and other cross-functional teams to develop products that meet consumer needs, brand objectives, performance requirements, cost targets, and manufacturing specifications.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on mechanical engineer who enjoys solving problems, developing products, building prototypes, and working collaboratively to bring products from concept to reality.

Position Summary

The Product Development Mechanical Engineer provides both concept and engineering design support for assigned product development projects. This position will execute mechanical engineering activities throughout the product development lifecycle, including concept development, 2D/3D CAD design, prototyping, testing, validation, engineering documentation, and production release.

This is an opportunity for an engineer who enjoys working with a variety of materials and manufacturing processes and wants to have a direct impact on consumer products used by outdoor enthusiasts.

What You'll Do

Product Development & Mechanical Engineering

• Execute mechanical engineering projects under the direction of the Engineering Manager and in collaboration with Designers, Brand Managers, Project Managers, and other cross-functional partners. 
• Support the development of new consumer products from initial concept through production. 
• Generate, evaluate, analyze, and execute 2D and 3D engineering designs that meet product requirements and project objectives. 
• Develop individual part, component, sub-assembly, and assembly designs and documentation. 
• Support product changes, enhancements, and new product development initiatives. 
• Translate product concepts and requirements into functional, manufacturable engineering solutions. 
• Evaluate designs for performance, functionality, durability, cost, and manufacturability. 
• Support the development of consumer products for the outdoor industry. 

CAD & Engineering Documentation

• Create detailed 3D models and engineering designs using SolidWorks CAD. 
• Create and maintain engineering drawings, specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and other technical documentation. 
• Apply appropriate engineering standards and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) principles. 
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation throughout the product development process. 
• Support engineering change control and product revision processes. 
• Ensure technical documentation is complete and accurate for production release. 

Design for Manufacturing & Assembly

• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout product development. 
• Evaluate product designs based on manufacturing capabilities, materials, assembly requirements, cost, and quality. 
• Collaborate with factories and manufacturing partners to identify and resolve engineering and production challenges. 
• Support the development and implementation of standards for product development, testing, validation, and production release. 
• Work with a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, and other consumer product materials. 
• Develop designs that can be efficiently manufactured at scale. 

Prototyping, Testing & Validation

• Participate in hands-on prototyping and product development activities. 
• Create and evaluate prototypes using 3D printing and other prototyping methods.      
• Support product testing and validation to ensure products meet established requirements and performance standards. 
• Analyze test results and recommend design improvements or corrective actions. 
• Work with manufacturing partners to evaluate prototypes and production samples.      
• Provide clear and actionable engineering feedback to factories and suppliers. 
• Participate in product reviews and make necessary design adjustments based on testing, feedback, and manufacturing requirements. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Designers, Brand Managers, Project Managers, Sourcing, Quality, and manufacturing partners throughout the product development lifecycle. 
• Communicate engineering concepts, recommendations, challenges, and project updates clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Provide engineering guidance and technical support to project teams. 
• Speak up and advocate for appropriate engineering, quality, safety, and manufacturability standards. 
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external manufacturing partners. 
• Take on additional projects and responsibilities as business needs require. 

Project Management & Execution

• Manage multiple engineering projects at varying stages of development. 
• Prioritize tasks and meet project deadlines and development milestones. 
• Maintain accurate project and engineering documentation. 
• Identify potential technical challenges early and proactively develop solutions. 
• Demonstrate ownership, accountability, and a results-driven approach to product development. 

Requirements

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. 
• 3+ years of mechanical/product design experience focused on consumer-based products. 
• 3+ years of experience using SolidWorks CAD or a comparable 3D CAD platform. 
• Experience working with various materials and manufacturing processes. 
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and engineering documentation. 
• Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).      
• Experience creating 2D engineering drawings and 3D models. 
• Working knowledge of GD&T. 
• Experience with prototyping and product testing. 
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities. 
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a cross-functional team. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing outdoor sporting goods, hunting, fishing, shooting sports, sporting goods, tools, or other outdoor consumer products. 
• Hands-on manufacturing and/or product assembly experience. 
• Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping. 
• Experience working with plastics, metals, soft goods, wood, or other consumer product materials. 
• Experience with injection molding, die casting, stamping, CNC machining, extrusion, or other manufacturing processes. 
• Experience working directly with domestic or international manufacturing partners. 
• Experience developing products from concept through commercialization and production.      

Key Competencies

• Engineering & Technical Expertise: Applies sound mechanical engineering principles to develop functional, reliable, and manufacturable products. 
• Problem Solving: Identifies technical challenges and develops practical, effective solutions. 
• Product Development: Understands the process of taking a product from concept through prototype, validation, and production. 
• Attention to Detail: Maintains a high degree of accuracy in CAD models, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and other engineering documentation. 
• Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners. 
• Communication: Clearly communicates technical information and confidently presents engineering recommendations. 
• Accountability: Takes ownership of projects, follows through on commitments, and delivers results. 
• Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility and resilience when priorities, requirements, or project conditions change. 
• Leadership: Able to guide and influence project teams and manufacturing partners when technical direction is required. 

Why GSM Outdoors?

At GSM Outdoors, you'll have the opportunity to design products that people actually use in the field. You'll work alongside talented teams in Product Development, Engineering, Marketing, Sourcing, and Manufacturing to bring innovative products from an idea on paper to a finished product in the hands of outdoor enthusiasts.

If you're a hands-on mechanical engineer who enjoys designing, building, testing, problem-solving, and bringing products to life, we'd love to hear from you.

GSM Outdoors is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed.