Product Development Engineer Jobs in Indiana
Product Development Engineer jobs in Indiana concentrate in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Kokomo, where manufacturers and technology firms alike maintain strong engineering teams. Eli Lilly, Cummins, and Stellantis are among the most established employers hiring product development engineers with regularity across the state. Demand is especially consistent in medical device development, powertrain and propulsion systems, and consumer electronics hardware. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Product Development Engineer jobs
Product Engineer
Job description
L&W Engineering is a growing full-line metal fabrication company located in Middlebury, IN. Privately owned and encompassing over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space, L&W provides a wide range of Steel and Aluminum products to various industries. By utilizing modern equipment, including Flat Bed Lasers, Tube Lasers, Robotic Bending cells, CNC Tube Benders, Machining Centers, Robotic Welders, and an automated Powder Coat line our employees strive to produce quality parts as efficiently as possible.
We are currently seeking a Product Development Engineer to join our Engineering Department. This individual will play a key role in developing products for manufacturing by combining customer requirements, internal specifications, and creative problem-solving.
Main Objective: Develops products to meet customer needs and expand or improve their product lines. Works with Sales to understand the opportunity and with R&D to build, test, and refine the design. Coordinates with Engineering to prepare developed products for production and supports the Manufacturing Engineer, who leads the rollout process. Primarily develops opportunities brought forward by Sales and also evaluates L&W product ideas with a defined customer need or market opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
· Product Development
o New Product Identification
§ Works with Sales to define the application, customer requirements, target cost, and timing. Joins customer visits as needed to gather information, present concepts, or review prototypes.
§ Evaluates new product opportunities that fit L&W's capabilities, from RV components to outdoor products and other fabricated assemblies.
§ Works with Sales and the Engineering Manager to establish a Sales owner and a plan to evaluate customer interest in internally generated ideas before committing substantial development time.
o Concept Development
§ Translates customer needs and ideas into product concepts. Develops preliminary models as needed and considers fit, function, appearance, materials, cost, fabrication, and assembly.
§ Works with the Manufacturing Engineer during development to review manufacturing requirements, fixture needs, and production concerns before the design is finalized.
o Design & Engineering Support
§ Works with the Engineering Manager to identify drawing needs. The Engineering Manager assigns a Product Engineer to create prints and complete revisions.
§ Provides the assigned Product Engineer with design requirements, critical features, and prototype feedback. Reviews prints to confirm design intent. Creating prints and pulling internal part numbers are not responsibilities of this position, but may be required depending on timeframe and workload.
o R&D Collaboration & Testing
§ Works with R&D to determine timeframes, plan prototype builds, and monitor progress. Stays involved during fabrication to resolve design questions and incorporate feedback.
§ Defines what each prototype must demonstrate and coordinates fit, function, load, or other testing. Documents results, addresses problems, and confirms the design meets agreed requirements.
§ Supports customer prototype installations and evaluations as needed. Follows safety requirements during builds, installations, and testing.
o Industry Events & Networking
§ Works with Sales to identify and attend trade shows and industry events as needed to build relationships with potential customers and suppliers, understand product needs, and identify new business opportunities that fit L&W's capabilities.
§ Shares contacts, product ideas, and potential opportunities with Sales and the Engineering Manager to determine which are worth pursuing.
o Project Planning & Reporting
§ Defines clear timelines and milestones for development projects. Provides regular status updates, including design progress, risks, concerns, and recommended action.
§ Documents and maintains project materials, including design information, photos, prototype and test results, customer feedback, and approvals.
§ Reviews priorities and open technical questions with the Engineering Manager. Recommends when projects should advance, pause, or close. Records where paused work stopped and what is needed to restart; confirms requirements before resuming.
· Production Handoff & Rollout Support
o Product Handoff
§ Reviews the developed design with the Engineering Manager, assigned Product Engineer, and Manufacturing Engineer. Provides design information, material and component requirements, critical features, prototype and test results, approvals, and a list of remaining release work needed to complete production drawings and plan the rollout.
§ Identifies unresolved issues before handoff and works with the Engineering Manager and Manufacturing Engineer to establish next steps for production preparation.
o Rollout Support
§ Supports the Manufacturing Engineer, who leads the rollout process for new products entering production, including coordinating manufacturing requirements, production readiness, and initial production with Production leadership.
§ Answers design questions and helps resolve product-related issues during rollout. Reviews changes affecting fit, function, appearance, or performance with the Manufacturing Engineer and assigned Product Engineer.
Skills & Experience
· Experience with mechanical design, materials, fabrication, and assembly.
· Ability to develop concepts, work with 3D models, and interpret engineering prints.
· Sound problem-solving skills and clear communication with customers, engineers, and R&D.
· Strong follow-through, organized project records, and an interest in mentoring others.
Career Growth & Leadership Opportunity
This position does not have direct reports initially. As L&W's development needs to grow, the role may expand into a lead position supervising a Product Engineer supporting concepts, modeling, and drawings. Responsibilities would include setting design direction, assigning and reviewing work, mentoring the engineer, and coordinating multiple development projects.
Advancement depends on business needs, performance, and demonstrated leadership ability. Until that structure is established, engineering assignments and priorities remain with the Engineering Manager.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What CAD software are you most experienced with and how many years? (e.g., inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
- What experience do you have working with customers or Sales to understand a product need and develop a solution?
- What experience do you have designing or developing products for metal fabrication or manufacturing?
- Briefly describe a product you helped develop from an initial idea through prototyping and testing. What was your role, and what was the outcome?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Middlebury, IN 46540 (Required)
Work Location: In person
Product Engineer
Job description
L&W Engineering is a growing full-line metal fabrication company located in Middlebury, IN. Privately owned and encompassing over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space, L&W provides a wide range of Steel and Aluminum products to various industries. By utilizing modern equipment, including Flat Bed Lasers, Tube Lasers, Robotic Bending cells, CNC Tube Benders, Machining Centers, Robotic Welders, and an automated Powder Coat line our employees strive to produce quality parts as efficiently as possible.
We are currently seeking a Product Development Engineer to join our Engineering Department. This individual will play a key role in developing products for manufacturing by combining customer requirements, internal specifications, and creative problem-solving.
Main Objective: Develops products to meet customer needs and expand or improve their product lines. Works with Sales to understand the opportunity and with R&D to build, test, and refine the design. Coordinates with Engineering to prepare developed products for production and supports the Manufacturing Engineer, who leads the rollout process. Primarily develops opportunities brought forward by Sales and also evaluates L&W product ideas with a defined customer need or market opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
· Product Development
o New Product Identification
§ Works with Sales to define the application, customer requirements, target cost, and timing. Joins customer visits as needed to gather information, present concepts, or review prototypes.
§ Evaluates new product opportunities that fit L&W's capabilities, from RV components to outdoor products and other fabricated assemblies.
§ Works with Sales and the Engineering Manager to establish a Sales owner and a plan to evaluate customer interest in internally generated ideas before committing substantial development time.
o Concept Development
§ Translates customer needs and ideas into product concepts. Develops preliminary models as needed and considers fit, function, appearance, materials, cost, fabrication, and assembly.
§ Works with the Manufacturing Engineer during development to review manufacturing requirements, fixture needs, and production concerns before the design is finalized.
o Design & Engineering Support
§ Works with the Engineering Manager to identify drawing needs. The Engineering Manager assigns a Product Engineer to create prints and complete revisions.
§ Provides the assigned Product Engineer with design requirements, critical features, and prototype feedback. Reviews prints to confirm design intent. Creating prints and pulling internal part numbers are not responsibilities of this position, but may be required depending on timeframe and workload.
o R&D Collaboration & Testing
§ Works with R&D to determine timeframes, plan prototype builds, and monitor progress. Stays involved during fabrication to resolve design questions and incorporate feedback.
§ Defines what each prototype must demonstrate and coordinates fit, function, load, or other testing. Documents results, addresses problems, and confirms the design meets agreed requirements.
§ Supports customer prototype installations and evaluations as needed. Follows safety requirements during builds, installations, and testing.
o Industry Events & Networking
§ Works with Sales to identify and attend trade shows and industry events as needed to build relationships with potential customers and suppliers, understand product needs, and identify new business opportunities that fit L&W's capabilities.
§ Shares contacts, product ideas, and potential opportunities with Sales and the Engineering Manager to determine which are worth pursuing.
o Project Planning & Reporting
§ Defines clear timelines and milestones for development projects. Provides regular status updates, including design progress, risks, concerns, and recommended action.
§ Documents and maintains project materials, including design information, photos, prototype and test results, customer feedback, and approvals.
§ Reviews priorities and open technical questions with the Engineering Manager. Recommends when projects should advance, pause, or close. Records where paused work stopped and what is needed to restart; confirms requirements before resuming.
· Production Handoff & Rollout Support
o Product Handoff
§ Reviews the developed design with the Engineering Manager, assigned Product Engineer, and Manufacturing Engineer. Provides design information, material and component requirements, critical features, prototype and test results, approvals, and a list of remaining release work needed to complete production drawings and plan the rollout.
§ Identifies unresolved issues before handoff and works with the Engineering Manager and Manufacturing Engineer to establish next steps for production preparation.
o Rollout Support
§ Supports the Manufacturing Engineer, who leads the rollout process for new products entering production, including coordinating manufacturing requirements, production readiness, and initial production with Production leadership.
§ Answers design questions and helps resolve product-related issues during rollout. Reviews changes affecting fit, function, appearance, or performance with the Manufacturing Engineer and assigned Product Engineer.
Skills & Experience
· Experience with mechanical design, materials, fabrication, and assembly.
· Ability to develop concepts, work with 3D models, and interpret engineering prints.
· Sound problem-solving skills and clear communication with customers, engineers, and R&D.
· Strong follow-through, organized project records, and an interest in mentoring others.
Career Growth & Leadership Opportunity
This position does not have direct reports initially. As L&W's development needs to grow, the role may expand into a lead position supervising a Product Engineer supporting concepts, modeling, and drawings. Responsibilities would include setting design direction, assigning and reviewing work, mentoring the engineer, and coordinating multiple development projects.
Advancement depends on business needs, performance, and demonstrated leadership ability. Until that structure is established, engineering assignments and priorities remain with the Engineering Manager.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What CAD software are you most experienced with and how many years? (e.g., inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
- What experience do you have working with customers or Sales to understand a product need and develop a solution?
- What experience do you have designing or developing products for metal fabrication or manufacturing?
- Briefly describe a product you helped develop from an initial idea through prototyping and testing. What was your role, and what was the outcome?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Middlebury, IN 46540 (Required)
Work Location: In person
See All 11 Product Development Engineer Jobs in Indiana
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Find JobsProduct Development Engineer Jobs by City in Indiana
Where Indiana roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Development Engineer Job Market in Indiana
A snapshot from current Indiana openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Technology & Software
- Transportation & Logistics
What Indiana Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product development engineer jobs across Indiana.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo for design and modeling
- Experience applying product lifecycle management tools and stage-gate development processes
- Familiarity with DFMEA, design for manufacturability, and prototype validation testing methods
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and stakeholder reporting
Product Development Engineer Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product development engineer in Indiana?
Most product development engineer roles in Indiana require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Indiana does not require a state license specifically for product development engineering in private industry, though engineers who stamp public documents must hold a Professional Engineer license through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Building experience through internships with Indiana manufacturers and earning certifications in product lifecycle management strengthens candidacy.
Which companies hire product development engineers in Indiana?
Indiana product development engineer roles are posted by Amrize, Eli Lilly, and SAMTEC and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Indiana's concentration of life sciences, automotive, and advanced manufacturing firms means openings appear consistently across both large corporations and mid-size suppliers throughout the state.
Which Indiana cities have the most product development engineer jobs?
Indianapolis, Fishers, and Fort Wayne account for the most product development engineer openings in Indiana. Indianapolis drives volume through its life sciences corridor and corporate headquarters, while Fort Wayne and Kokomo reflect the state's deep automotive and powertrain manufacturing base, where Tier 1 suppliers and OEM facilities maintain large engineering teams.
Are there remote product development engineer jobs in Indiana?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of product development engineer openings tied to Indiana are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of much of this work. Portions of the role involving design review, documentation, and cross-functional coordination are most likely to be performed remotely or on a hybrid schedule.
How can I get hired as a product development engineer in Indiana with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for associate or junior product engineer roles with Indiana's established manufacturers, where co-op and new-graduate programs are common. Eli Lilly and Cummins run structured early-career engineering programs that place candidates without full-time experience. Lateral moves from quality engineering or manufacturing engineering roles are also a frequent path in. A strong senior capstone project portfolio or relevant internship with an Indiana supplier provides a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to product development engineer jobs in Indiana?
You can find and apply to product development engineer jobs in Indiana on Migrate Mate, which lists current Indiana openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 11 Product Development Engineer Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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