Product Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Product Development Engineer jobs in Michigan are active and competitive, concentrated in automotive, mobility, and advanced manufacturing sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level to senior principal. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids lead hiring, anchored by employers like Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Gentex Corporation. The most in-demand specialties include powertrain systems, EV and battery technology, and materials engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 57+ Product Development Engineer jobs
We at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies run the business operations of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. Being part of the global Freudenberg Group, our company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for automotive and general industries. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between Freudenberg and NOK Corp. in Japan, is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, operates more than 20 facilities and employs about 4,700 people across the Americas.
Some of your Benefits
401K Match
Health Insurance
Vacation
Paid Holidays
Personal Development
Product Development Engineer – Mechanical
Responsibilities
- Lead new product development from customer need and early-stage concept through prototype design, testing, and technical validation using structured innovation and product development processes.
- Translate customer needs and emerging market opportunities into functional requirements, design constraints, performance targets, and differentiated mechanical product concepts.
- Apply Design for Six Sigma, Robust Design, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, and other Design for X methodologies to evaluate concepts and develop reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
- Use 3D CAD, CAE, multiphysics simulation, data analytics, AI-assisted design, and other digital engineering tools to accelerate design iterations and optimize product performance.
- Build subsystems and prototypes, develop validation plans and test methods, and partner with laboratory teams to verify product performance, reliability, and technical feasibility.
- Collaborate with materials, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, operations, commercial, and global engineering teams to address manufacturability, cost, risk, intellectual property, and supply-chain considerations.
- Manage project activities, technical risks, milestones, and deliverables while clearly presenting engineering analyses, recommendations, and results to customers, leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- At least three years of experience in mechanical design, product development, new product engineering, or a related engineering function.
- Demonstrated experience developing products from concept through engineering design, prototyping, testing, validation, and preparation for manufacturing.
- Hands-on proficiency with 3D CAD and working knowledge of engineering analysis, simulation-based design, technical documentation, and data-driven decision-making.
- Experience using or a strong demonstrated ability to apply AI-enabled engineering tools, design automation, engineering informatics, data analytics, Python, or similar digital workflows.
- Knowledge of engineering fundamentals, design trade-offs, cost estimation, technical risk analysis, root-cause investigation, and robust product development methods.
- Strong project execution and communication skills, with the ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively with customers and cross-functional, multidisciplinary, and global teams. Experience with manufacturing, FEA, elastomers or plastics, robotics hardware, battery systems, or energy-storage technologies is preferred.
We at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies run the business operations of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. Being part of the global Freudenberg Group, our company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for automotive and general industries. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between Freudenberg and NOK Corp. in Japan, is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, operates more than 20 facilities and employs about 4,700 people across the Americas.
Some of your Benefits
401K Match
Health Insurance
Vacation
Paid Holidays
Personal Development
Product Development Engineer – Mechanical
Responsibilities
- Lead new product development from customer need and early-stage concept through prototype design, testing, and technical validation using structured innovation and product development processes.
- Translate customer needs and emerging market opportunities into functional requirements, design constraints, performance targets, and differentiated mechanical product concepts.
- Apply Design for Six Sigma, Robust Design, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, and other Design for X methodologies to evaluate concepts and develop reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
- Use 3D CAD, CAE, multiphysics simulation, data analytics, AI-assisted design, and other digital engineering tools to accelerate design iterations and optimize product performance.
- Build subsystems and prototypes, develop validation plans and test methods, and partner with laboratory teams to verify product performance, reliability, and technical feasibility.
- Collaborate with materials, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, operations, commercial, and global engineering teams to address manufacturability, cost, risk, intellectual property, and supply-chain considerations.
- Manage project activities, technical risks, milestones, and deliverables while clearly presenting engineering analyses, recommendations, and results to customers, leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- At least three years of experience in mechanical design, product development, new product engineering, or a related engineering function.
- Demonstrated experience developing products from concept through engineering design, prototyping, testing, validation, and preparation for manufacturing.
- Hands-on proficiency with 3D CAD and working knowledge of engineering analysis, simulation-based design, technical documentation, and data-driven decision-making.
- Experience using or a strong demonstrated ability to apply AI-enabled engineering tools, design automation, engineering informatics, data analytics, Python, or similar digital workflows.
- Knowledge of engineering fundamentals, design trade-offs, cost estimation, technical risk analysis, root-cause investigation, and robust product development methods.
- Strong project execution and communication skills, with the ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively with customers and cross-functional, multidisciplinary, and global teams. Experience with manufacturing, FEA, elastomers or plastics, robotics hardware, battery systems, or energy-storage technologies is preferred.
See All 57 Product Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsProduct Development Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Development Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Ford Motor Company28
- KLA3
- Molex2
- Forvia2
- Steelcase2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product development engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or materials engineering or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with product lifecycle management tools such as Teamcenter or Windchill
- Proficiency in CAD software, particularly CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX, for design and modeling
- Working knowledge of DFMEA, APQP, and automotive PPAP processes preferred
- Familiarity with ISO or IATF 16949 quality management standards for manufacturing environments
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills for working with manufacturing, supply chain, and testing teams
Product Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product development engineer in Michigan?
Most product development engineer roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, materials, or industrial engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Michigan does not require a state license specifically for product development engineers in private industry, though engineers who offer services directly to the public may pursue a Professional Engineer license through the Michigan Board of Professional Engineers. In practice, Michigan employers prioritize automotive industry knowledge, CAD proficiency, and familiarity with APQP and DFMEA processes.
Which companies hire product development engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring product development engineers in Michigan right now include Ford Motor Company, KLA, and Molex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's deep automotive supply chain means that Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, alongside OEMs and mobility technology firms, represent a large share of the active openings.
Which Michigan cities have the most product development engineer jobs?
Dearborn, Livonia, and Ann Arbor have the most product development engineer openings in Michigan. Detroit and its surrounding Metro area dominate because the global headquarters and major technical centers of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are concentrated there, while Ann Arbor draws openings through its university research ecosystem and mobility startup community, and Grand Rapids reflects strength in medical device and consumer product manufacturing.
Are there remote product development engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're limited, since product development engineering typically requires hands-on work with physical prototypes, lab equipment, and manufacturing lines that cannot be done remotely. About 85% of product development engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, so some flexibility exists. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely include CAD design, simulation analysis, and documentation tasks.
How can I get hired as a product development engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate engineering role or co-op conversion at one of Michigan's major automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers, many of which run structured new-grad programs. Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis all offer rotational engineering programs designed for candidates without full-time experience. Graduates from Michigan's engineering programs at University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Michigan Tech are well-positioned for these pipelines. Candidates who build a portfolio of CAD projects or DFMEA exercises and earn an EIT credential from the Michigan Board of Professional Engineers strengthen their applications considerably.
Where can I find and apply to product development engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to product development engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across automotive, manufacturing, and technology employers. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 57 Product Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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