Product Development Manager Jobs in North Carolina

Davis Furniture is a family-owned high-end furniture manufacturer who is a leader in contemporary contract furniture. With 325 employees across manufacturing, design, sales and distribution, we are proud of our collaborative culture and commitment to excellence. We have been in business for over 80 years, and we put a strong focus on new product introductions because design is a choice.

Davis Furniture is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

The Product Development Engineer is responsible for developing innovative, functional, manufacturable furniture products from initial concept through production launch. This position works closely with Industrial Design, Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and other cross-functional teams to ensure new products meet design, performance, quality, cost, and manufacturing requirements.

The ideal candidate will have experience in furniture manufacturing, contract office furniture, industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a related field. The position requires strong SolidWorks CAD skills, hands-on prototyping and modelmaking abilities, and a working knowledge of a variety of materials, components, manufacturing processes, and assembly methods.

The Product Development Engineer must be able to take a project from an initial sketch or concept through engineering development, prototyping, testing, documentation, production, and final product launch.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop new furniture products from concept and initial sketches through prototyping, engineering, and production launch.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and product documentation.
• Design and develop furniture components, mechanical systems, hardware, and assemblies for functionality, durability, quality, cost, and manufacturability.
• Work with a variety of materials and manufacturing processes, including wood, metal, upholstery, plastics, laminates, CNC machining, welding, finishing, and assembly.
• Build and evaluate prototypes and samples; identify and resolve design, fit, function, quality, and manufacturing issues.
• Collaborate with Industrial Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Sales, suppliers, and other teams throughout the product development process.
• Manage multiple development projects, timelines, priorities, and engineering changes.
• Support production trials, first-run builds, product testing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing products, processes, materials, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Provide practical, cost-effective engineering solutions while maintaining design intent and company quality standards.
• All other duties as assigned

Education, Experience, Skills and Abilities for Consideration as a Candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of product development or furniture manufacturing experience preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of SolidWorks CAD experience.
• Experience taking products from concept through production.
• Knowledge of furniture materials, manufacturing processes, mechanical components, and hardware.
• Strong prototyping, problem-solving, and modelmaking skills.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and team-oriented.
• Ability to work effectively with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, suppliers, and management.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Profit Sharing
• Weekly Pay
• Excellent health insurance
• Dental and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Short-term and Long-term disability
• Referral program
• Paid holidays

Davis provides an excellent, drug free working environment and is an EOE/including disability/vets employer.

Please visit our website for more insight into our company and the products we create.www.davisfurniture.com