Product Developer

Umbra•Scarborough, ON

13d•Onsite

About The Position

This role sits at the intersection of design, materials, and manufacturing—focused on execution, not pure engineering. You’ll work closely with Designers and Category Managers to bring Umbra products from concept to shelf, balancing design intent, cost, and production realities. This is a hands-on product development focused on physical products, prototyping, and manufacturing execution. Candidates with primarily theoretical or engineering-only backgrounds without hands-on product development experience may not be a fit.

Requirements

Post Secondary degree/diploma in Industrial Design or Product Development
Minimum 2–3 years of working experience in hands-on consumer product development
Strong understanding of materials and how products are physically made
Demonstrated experience with prototyping, sample reviews, and product iteration
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Strong organization skills and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Proficient skills in SolidWorks, or other 3D data software
Good understanding of Photoshop, Illustrator and Microsoft Office
Solid organization skills and a sense of urgency with a customer service mindset

Nice To Haves

Entrepreneurial Spirit
Can-Do Attitude
Curiosity
Street Smarts
Team Player Mentality
Hands-on mindset

Responsibilities

Bring design concepts to reality on time while achieving target costs
Collaborate with Product Development, Category Managers, and Design teams to refine product details, materials, and construction
Execute manufacturing specifications based on conceptual design direction
Build, modify, and evaluate prototypes and mock-ups regularly
Conduct hands-on product testing to ensure functionality, durability, and usability
Work through real-world product challenges related to materials, construction, and assembly
Make informed product development decisions to improve efficiency for production and reduce cost while maintaining design intent
Track open projects and manage design milestones
Maintain and update product data and drawings for production using SolidWorks and other internal systems (Jira, Flex, PowerPoint, AI tools, Illustrator)
Maintain Product Knowledge files, Umbra Brand Standards (UIL/UBL), and SolidWorks/CAD master templates
Provide training and technical support to Designers as required
Participate in regular meetings with Head Office Category Management and Design teams
Collaborate with the China Product Development team on ongoing projects
Attend trade shows and vendor visits as required
Conduct research on new materials, manufacturing methods, and production techniques
Identify opportunities for innovation in product design, construction, and functionality
Work closely with Project Managers, Category Managers, Designers and Marketing to support new product initiatives
Understand Umbra’s requirement in quality, visual appearance, and functionality to guarantee developed product meets the design intent and support the Umbra Brand
Meet catalogue, trade show and presentation deadlines
Works independently and collaboratively as part of a team within strict deadlines
Provide polished, professional presentation with effective communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrate strong work ethic with the ability to adapt to changing priorities with a positive attitude
Performance reviews every 6 months
Ensure success and reception of new products on time and with good quality