Senior Technical Project Manager (Product Development)

unybrands•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

unybrands is seeking an innovative, technically accomplished Senior Technical Project Manager to develop consumer products across a diverse portfolio of brands and categories. The role turns unmet consumer needs into differentiated products, guiding development from initial concept through mass production. It combines product invention, mechanical engineering, and project leadership, including developing mechanisms, improving ergonomics, and solving manufacturing challenges. Much of the development is supplier-led: external manufacturing partners handle concept development, CAD modeling, prototyping, and testing. The Senior Technical Project Manager guides and evaluates their engineering work, provides technical direction, and owns the technical development process and on-time delivery of exceptional products. The role leads concurrent new product development projects, stage-gate reviews, schedules, risk management, supplier commitments, technical documentation, testing, validation, and production readiness. It also applies mechanical engineering, materials, manufacturing, and DFM/DFA expertise to deliver reliable products that balance user experience, performance, quality, and commercial objectives. The position collaborates with Sourcing, Quality, Compliance, Operations, Commercial teams, suppliers, and legal counsel on product launches and intellectual property.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
At least 8 years of relevant engineering and new product development experience.
Proven record of bringing innovative, mass-produced consumer products from concept to commercialization.
Deep expertise in mechanical design, materials, tooling, manufacturing processes, and DFM/DFA.
Experience leading complex projects, stage-gate deliverables, and on-time launches.
Experience directing external supplier engineering teams across design, prototyping, validation, and manufacturing.
Ability to write Product Specifications and test plans, maintain documentation, and evaluate technical reports.
Experience with invention disclosures, patent applications, and IP design-around strategies.
3D CAD proficiency.
Strong technical judgment, creative problem solving, communication, and project leadership.

Nice To Haves

Product development experience across multiple categories and manufacturing technologies.
Named inventor on patents.
Experience with Asia-based manufacturers.
Familiarity with DFMEA, DVP&R, design controls, and production validation.
Advanced engineering degree or project management certification.

Responsibilities

Translate unmet consumer needs into innovative, intuitive, commercially compelling product solutions.
Invent mechanisms, improve ergonomics, and solve engineering challenges using creative, first-principles thinking.
Guide differentiated products across categories, balancing design, functionality, user experience, and commercial objectives.
Apply mechanical engineering, materials, and manufacturing expertise to develop elegant, reliable solutions.
Identify patentable innovations, develop invention disclosures, and contribute to patent applications and IP design-around strategies with counsel.
Own concurrent new product development projects from concept through production, with accountability for technical execution and on-time delivery.
Lead stage-gate reviews, decisions, risk management, cross-functional alignment, and gate readiness.
Manage schedules, critical paths, and supplier commitments, resolving obstacles that could affect launch dates.
Direct supplier engineering teams responsible for concepts, CAD, 3D printing, prototyping, engineering development, and testing.
Evaluate supplier designs, prototypes, recommendations, and tradeoffs, and provide clear technical direction.
Partner with Sourcing, Quality, Compliance, Operations, and Commercial teams to ensure successful launches.
Create and maintain Product Specifications, engineering requirements, controlled documentation, and design revisions.
Write test plans and measurable acceptance criteria for performance, durability, reliability, safety, and product claims.
Direct supplier and third-party testing, review test reports, and drive corrective actions and root-cause investigations.
Apply DFM/DFA across materials, manufacturing processes, and tooling technologies.
Review supplier drawings, tolerances, materials, tooling, and methods to optimize performance, cost, and quality.
Guide validation, pilot builds, and production readiness, ensuring technical requirements are met before launch.