Product Development Engineer – Rifle - CCI Speer

The Kinetic Group•Lewiston, ID

6d•Onsite

About The Position

CCI/SPEER, part of The Kinetic Group, is seeking a Product Development Engineer to lead and support rifle ammunition product development from concept through commercialization. The work includes design, testing, validation, manufacturing implementation, and continuous improvement, with an emphasis on developing next-generation ammunition technologies and improving ballistic performance, precision, reliability, and effectiveness. The position may be filled at the Engineer I, II, or III level based on education, experience, and demonstrated technical capability. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, military experience, certifications, and directly related experience will be considered. The role reports to the Director of Product Engineering and is based in the Lewiston, Idaho office. The Kinetic Group designs, manufactures, and distributes small-caliber ammunition under brands including B&P, CCI, Federal Premium, Fiocchi, HEVI, Remington, and Speer. It is part of the Ammo+ division of The Czechoslovak Group (CSG).

Requirements

Engineer I: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Science, Mathematics, or related equivalent technical experience.
Engineer I: 1–3 years of related experience.
Engineer I: Working knowledge of engineering principles, materials, manufacturing processes, and problem-solving methods.
Engineer I: Ability to perform moderate-scope engineering assignments using established practices and procedures; demonstrated mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting capability; and ability to learn tools, testing methods, and design practices applicable to ammunition development.
Engineer II: Bachelor's degree and 2–6 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with applicable experience.
Engineer II: Thorough understanding of product development processes and engineering fundamentals; ability to independently manage portions of product development programs and technical projects.
Engineer II: Proficiency in engineering analysis, experimental design, and statistical decision-making; experience identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions; ability to lead smaller projects and serve as a technical resource.
Engineer II: Ability to communicate technical requirements effectively with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Engineer III: Bachelor's degree and 4–10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree and 2–6 years of experience.
Engineer III: Advanced knowledge of ammunition design, manufacturing processes, materials, product validation, and performance analysis.
Engineer III: Ability to lead major product development programs, complex engineering initiatives, root cause investigations, and technical problem-solving efforts.
Engineer III: Experience developing and executing comprehensive test plans using statistical and engineering analysis methods; ability to provide technical leadership across projects and communicate complex technical concepts to leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience in rifle ammunition, firearms, ballistics, projectile design, cartridge design, or related product development.
Knowledge of advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and product validation methodologies.
Experience with statistical software such as Minitab or equivalent analytical tools.
CAD experience, including solid modeling and engineering drawing creation.
Experience supporting new product introductions in a manufacturing environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Hunting, shooting sports, handloading, firearms industry, or military experience.
Familiarity with internal and external ballistic testing methods.
Knowledge of ammunition industry standards and testing protocols.
Experience with tooling design and machining processes.

Responsibilities

Lead and support new rifle ammunition product development programs from concept through production launch.
Design, develop, test, validate, and document new products, components, and manufacturing processes.
Develop and maintain engineering specifications, bills of materials, qualification requirements, and technical documentation.
Plan and execute laboratory, range, and manufacturing trials to evaluate product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
Analyze test data and apply engineering principles, statistical methods, and root cause analysis to support fact-based decisions.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to introduce new products and process improvements into production.
Assess manufacturing equipment capabilities and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
Conduct failure analysis and resolve design, process, and production-related issues.
Collaborate with suppliers to qualify materials, components, and processes supporting product development objectives.
Support Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service teams with technical expertise, review technical content, and occasionally support industry events and customer engagements.
Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards throughout the development process.