Product Development Engineer

Vanguard ID Systems•Downingtown, PA

14h

About The Position

The Product Development Engineer bridges technical sales support, cost engineering, and product development to help Vanguard bring new products and customer opportunities to market. Working with Sales, Operations, leadership, and external suppliers, the role turns customer requirements into product specifications, custom constructions, prototypes, manufacturing plans, and cost estimates that support accurate quotes and competitive sales proposals. This hands-on role combines commercial problem-solving with technical R&D. The engineer researches materials, works with suppliers, tests new product designs, and determines how products can be manufactured using existing processes or new capabilities. The role also works closely with leadership and Operations on technical decisions, equipment evaluations, and manufacturing scale-up. The position develops custom product constructions, tests materials and prototypes, introduces materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes, and supports new business opportunities and manufacturing capabilities. Success means making Vanguard more agile in sourcing, developing, costing, and scaling manufactured products to market.

Requirements

Degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience is considered.
At least 3 years of relevant experience in product development, manufacturing, materials, packaging, printing, converting, or technical engineering support.
Working knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, product specifications, or custom product development.
Experience developing or testing prototypes, evaluating materials, or improving manufacturing processes.
Strong analytical and quantitative skills to evaluate technical problems, compare alternatives, and develop cost estimates.
Ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate with suppliers and internal teams, and follow through on deliverables.
Clear written and verbal communication skills to document findings, explain recommendations, and collaborate across functions.

Responsibilities

Identify and develop new products, customer configurations, and constructions that support commercial opportunities.
Work with Sales to understand customer applications, technical requirements, performance needs, order volumes, and target pricing.
Develop product specifications covering dimensions, materials, printing, encoding, durability, and delivery format.
Research and source adhesives, films, facestocks, liners, laminates, RFID inlays, and other materials.
Compare product constructions and configurations for performance, environmental durability, cost, and manufacturability.
Develop prototypes, coordinate testing and samples, and refine designs based on results and customer feedback.
Source materials, components, tooling, and outside services; compare supplier pricing, capabilities, and lead times.
Build product specifications, bills of materials, and volume-based cost models covering materials, printing, encoding, labor, setup, waste, yields, throughput, and manufacturing costs.
Compare product constructions and production methods to identify cost drivers and alternatives that meet customer price targets.
Provide Sales and leadership with product specifications, manufacturing assumptions, and cost estimates to build custom quotes.
Support quote reviews, technical questions, and pricing alternatives as customer requirements evolve.
Assess material compatibility, equipment capabilities, production efficiency, and manufacturing constraints.
Diagram how prototypes can be manufactured using existing equipment and processes, or define changes, equipment, and new capabilities needed where current methods fall short.
Research printing, converting, encoding, and other technologies needed to support new products and capabilities.
Work with Operations and leadership to evaluate in-house production, outsourcing, and new equipment or process development.
Support production tests, troubleshoot issues, and document validated processes, specifications, and quality requirements.
Coordinate product development projects from customer requirements through quoting and production readiness.
Pursue suppliers, coordinate resources, and resolve technical, sourcing, and manufacturing obstacles.
Keep Sales, Operations, and leadership aligned on product specifications, feasibility, costs, and outstanding requirements.
Document product constructions, test results, cost assumptions, and production requirements to support quoting and manufacturing handoff.