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.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 30+ Product Development Engineer jobs











Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers-of-Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
Responsibilities
The Applications Engineer will be responsible for developing and implementing product applications for existing and pre-release products to provide solve high-value customer problems.
The candidate is expected to support the following:
- Focus on projects related to new product introduction such as characterization, alpha testing, beta testing and pilot tools in the ramp phase.
- Potentially support the development of a system at the customer site.
- Perform product diagnosis, problem resolution, collaborate with software and systems engineering to verify that hardware and software problems have been resolved.
- Conduct customer product demonstrations and technical training including on-site training of Applications Engineers and end users.
- Document all test results and lessons learned in BKMs (Best Known Methods), training documents, Demo reports, or, Alpha/Beta test reports and transfer product knowledge to other Applications teams.
- Generate demo and test reports for internal and customer review.
Requirements
- Master’s or PhD, in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Material Science or related fields.
- We are looking for high energy, self-driven and motivated engineers who are interested in working in high-tech environment. The semiconductor space is a fast-paced, vibrant environment that gives applications engineers a lot of autonomy to work and drive projects on their own. Ideal candidates will appreciate the opportunity to have high levels of accountability, working well with limited supervision and thrive in a work environment where they can lead their own projects.
- Strong troubleshooting skills combined with a methodical approach.
- Well organized, hard-working, strong follow-up abilities with a proven track record to thrive in a multifaceted technical environment.
- Experience with analytical software such as MATLAB, JMP and Power BI is desired.
- Having a background in IC processing/Semiconductor equipment is a plus.
- Programming and scripting skills in MATLAB or Python are a plus.
- Additional (<50%) domestic and international travel may be required.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years
Base Pay Range: $93,300.00 - $158,600.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA . Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.
See All 30 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 Company11

- KLA3

- JB Poindexter &2

- Whirlpool Corporation2

- Eaton1

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Transportation & Logistics
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 JB Poindexter &, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Ann Arbor, and Livonia 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 65% of product development engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 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 30 Product Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs