Product Development Engineer, Drinkware

Location: 

• This role is based in either Hong Kong or Shenzhen and requires you to work onsite 4 days per week, with 1 day remote.
• To be considered, you must live within commuting distance, as regular in-person collaboration is a key part of the role.

About BDA

BDA is The Merchandise Agency™, helping the world's most recognized brands connect with their audiences through innovative, high-quality merchandise. We combine creativity, product expertise, global sourcing, and manufacturing capabilities to develop merchandise that delivers meaningful brand experiences.

Position Summary

BDA is seeking an experienced Product Development Engineer specializing in drinkware to lead the technical development and manufacturing execution of innovative, high-quality products. This role will work closely with product management, design, global sourcing, and manufacturing partners to bring new drinkware concepts from initial development through successful production.

The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience developing stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic drinkware, with a strong understanding of materials, manufacturing techniques, product engineering, and supplier capabilities. This individual will play a critical role in translating product concepts into commercially viable, production-ready products while improving quality, functionality, cost, and manufacturing efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Product Engineering & Development

• Lead the technical development of drinkware products, including insulated bottles, tumblers, mugs, hydration products, lids, closures, and accessories.
• Translate product concepts and design requirements into engineering specifications, technical drawings, prototypes, and production-ready products.
• Apply expertise in stainless steel, plastics, ceramics, and other materials to optimize product performance, durability, functionality, and cost.
• Evaluate construction methods, vacuum insulation, sealing systems, surface treatments, and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with product management and design teams to identify engineering solutions that support product innovation and differentiation.
• Develop and evaluate prototypes, conduct performance testing, and recommend modifications before production approval.

Manufacturing & Supplier Collaboration

• Partner directly with manufacturing facilities across China and other Asian markets to evaluate technical capabilities, tooling requirements, and production readiness.
• Provide engineering support during tooling development, sampling, pilot production, and mass manufacturing.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product construction, material utilization, and production costs.
• Collaborate with global sourcing teams and suppliers on manufacturing feasibility, technical negotiations, cost engineering, and product improvements.
• Troubleshoot engineering and manufacturing challenges, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Stay current on emerging manufacturing technologies, materials, finishes, and supplier capabilities within the drinkware industry.

Quality, Compliance & Product Performance

• Establish technical specifications and performance requirements for new and existing drinkware products.
• Coordinate product testing for durability, insulation performance, leak resistance, material integrity, and functional reliability.
• Partner with quality and compliance teams to ensure products meet applicable food-contact, consumer safety, and regulatory requirements in target markets.
• Evaluate production samples and recommend improvements to ensure consistent product quality.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation, product specifications, and manufacturing requirements.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify emerging materials, technologies, construction methods, and manufacturing innovations that can differentiate BDA's drinkware offerings.
• Recommend product improvements that enhance consumer experience, quality, sustainability, and cost competitiveness.
• Partner with product management to assess the technical feasibility of new product concepts and category extensions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across product development and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5–10 years of product engineering or product development experience, preferably with direct specialization in drinkware, hydration products, or related consumer products.
• Demonstrated experience with stainless steel, plastic injection molding, ceramic manufacturing, and associated production processes.
• Strong understanding of drinkware construction, tooling, materials, surface finishes, and product performance requirements.
• Experience working directly with manufacturers and suppliers in China.
• Proficiency with CAD software, technical drawings, product specifications, and engineering documentation.
• Experience with prototyping, product testing, manufacturing validation, and production troubleshooting.
• Understanding of product quality standards and applicable food-contact and consumer product safety requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple development projects while meeting quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Strong English communication skills; Mandarin proficiency strongly preferred.

What Success Looks Like

Innovative drinkware concepts are successfully engineered and brought into production.

Product development timelines, quality requirements, and target costs are consistently achieved.

Manufacturing partners deliver reliable, high-quality products that meet BDA's specifications.

Engineering improvements strengthen product functionality, manufacturing efficiency, and competitiveness.

BDA continues to expand its drinkware capabilities through new materials, technologies, and manufacturing innovation.

Why BDA?
BDA is a place where creativity, partnership, and customer care come together. For more than 40 years, we have helped some of the world’s most recognized brands create memorable experiences through branded merchandise, gifting, and custom programs. We are proud of the work we do, the relationships we build, and the people behind it all. At BDA, you will find a team that values collaboration, innovation, and a “get it done” mindset — while still making space for creativity, growth, and meaningful impact.

 Our Core Values:

• BDA is a Team and a Family
• Always Strive to Be The Best
• Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Tigger Attitude
• Work Hard, Play Hard
• Make It Happen the Best Way
• Total Client Affinity & Advocacy

 Want to learn more? So much to explore

• BDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bda_inc/
• Harper + Scott (a BDA company): https://www.harperandscott.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/harperandscott/
• swagup (a BDA company) end-to-end Merch Ecommerce site: https://www.swagup.com/
• Idea Planet (a BDA company): https://www.ideaplanetlp.com/about
• BDA Careers Page: https://www.bdainc.com/careers/
• LinkedIn – BDA page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdainc/

We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $75,000 to $85,000 USD.

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