Product Development Manager – Baseball & Softball Bats

Baden Sports Inc • Kent, WA

1d

About The Position

The Product Development Manager for Baseball & Softball Bats is a hybrid technical role responsible for driving the development and lifecycle of Axe’s alloy and composite bats. This role is built for someone who thinks like an engineer—analytical, curious, mechanically minded—yet thrives in a small team where they can contribute from early technical concepts to product strategy, testing, storytelling, and the final go-to-market execution. You will evaluate materials, construction methods, barrel and handle designs, and key performance characteristics, then translate those findings into precise specifications for the factory. You will validate prototypes, diagnose performance issues, and review test data provided by the Axe Lab Technician. You will analyze results from compression testing, cannon performance testing, and durability testing to determine the adjustments needed to each design to deliver the highest-performing bat for every certification.

Requirements

• 3–7 years of experience in technical product development, product engineering, or technical product management for hardgoods or performance equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate prototypes, review testing data, and collaborate with engineers on technical iteration.
• Ability to translate user feedback into measurable engineering changes.
• Strong mechanical intuition and comfort working with multiple materials, tolerances, and physical product testing.
• Experience collaborating with international factories (composite or alloy manufacturing preferred).
• Exceptional organizational and documentation skills.
• Strong technical communication skills—ability to speak the language of engineering, manufacturing, and design.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with composite engineering, materials science, or mechanical testing.
• Background in baseball or softball that provides useful context for bat performance and hitter behavior.
• Exposure to FEA, MOI measurement tools, durability testing processes, or bat performance labs (a plus, not required).
• Ability to travel Internationally to tour production Factory

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap and lifecycle of Axe alloy and composite bats across baseball and softball categories.
• Develop and maintain detailed product specifications, tolerances, construction notes, and performance targets.
• Evaluate product performance using lab testing, MOI/swing weight analysis, durability data, and competitive benchmarking.
• Ensure each product meets defined performance, quality, and engineering criteria from initial concept to final production.
• Conduct structured player testing, durability checks, competitor bat analysis, and hitter feedback sessions.
• Convert subjective “feel” into measurable requirements (swing weight, handle stiffness, barrel responsiveness, vibration tolerance, etc.).
• Map athlete archetypes to specific design formulas: hitter type ? performance need ? construction approach.
• Author detailed Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) including: ECPs Swing weight/MOI ranges Handle stiffness Layup direction and composite architecture 3D CAD models and 2D drawings of Alloy spec and wall-thickness
• Evaluate prototypes through lab testing, field testing, and comparative studies.
• Diagnose root causes when performance deviates—materials, tooling tolerances, adhesives, cure cycles, layup alignment, etc.
• Guide engineering and factory teams by explaining why a construction change is needed and what effect it should produce for different hitter profiles.
• Approve final build specs prior to production.
• Maintain close working relationships with composite and alloy manufacturers.
• Review tooling drawings, layup sheets, bill of materials, and quality-control reports to ensure adherence to intended spec.
• Provide clear, structured feedback on prototype deviations or durability failures.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues through data, test results, and methodical experimentation.
• Ensure that production consistently reflect intended performance.
• Work with design teams to ensure aesthetics (finishes, coatings, graphics) do not interfere with durability, weight targets, or functional performance.
• Bring category insights from baseball, fastpitch, slowpitch, and adjacent sports that may influence design considerations.
• Provide marketing, sales, and customer service teams with accurate technical documentation, performance differentiators, and testing summaries.
• Support the creation of educational materials that explain product functionality, not marketing claims.
• Ensure on time delivery of designs that meet marketing language
• Maintain product documentation—including Design specs, ECP, BOMs, drawings, certifications, and test results
• Build and manage technical development timelines spanning prototyping, testing, certification, and factory approvals.
• Use quantitative data (lab metrics, QC reports, warranty claims, MOI audits) to shape decisions and improve next-generation bats.
• Enforce disciplined testing standards and documentation across the product development cycle.
• Submit prototype design for certification, cosmetic certification and compliance testing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees