Overview

Production Development Engineer Production Development Engineer Department: Engineering Reports to: Lead Engineer Location: Battle Creek, Michigan We're looking for a forward-thinking problem solver and change-maker ready to help take NexForm to the next level. This is a full-time, on-site Product Development Engineer role based in Battle Creek, MI. The Product Development Engineer will design, develop, and validate fiber-based NVH and thermal insulation products for automotive and industrial customers. Day-to-day responsibilities include generating and reviewing product concepts, performing engineering analyses, supporting prototype builds, and coordinating testing to meet performance, cost, and sustainability targets. The role involves close collaboration with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and customer-facing teams to translate requirements into manufacturable designs, prepare technical documentation, and support customer reviews. The Product Development Engineer will also contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, refine design standards, and assist in troubleshooting product and process issues on the production floor. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead engineering activities for new product development programs from concept through production launch.Design products and engineering solutions that meet customer specifications and business objectives.Evaluate product performance, manufacturability, quality, and cost throughout the development process.Develop engineering documentation, technical specifications, and design standards.Support engineering changes throughout the product lifecycle.Create and maintain engineering drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), specifications, and technical documentation.Utilize CAD software to develop and modify product designs.Conduct design reviews and engineering feasibility studies.Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.Recommend design improvements to enhance product performance and manufacturing efficiency.Serve as the engineering contact for assigned customer programs.Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, and product design discussions.Support customer requests, engineering changes, and product validation activities.Coordinate engineering deliverables to support program timing and customer milestones.Develop validation plans and support prototype builds.Coordinate product testing and analyze test results.Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities.Prepare engineering documentation supporting Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions.Support production launches and manufacturing readiness activities.Maintain engineering records, specifications, drawings, and revision history.Prepare engineering reports, presentations, and technical analyses.Ensure documentation complies with company standards and customer requirements.Support intellectual property protection and engineering document control. REQUIREMENTS: This position is onsite in our Battle Creek, Michigan locationMinimum of three years of engineering experience in product development or manufacturing.Automotive Interior Soft Trim design experience preferred.Strong understanding of product development, engineering design, and manufacturing processes.Experience in automotive soft trim and acoustic / NVH development is preferred.Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, GD&T, and automotive quality systems.Experience with CAD software (such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or AutoCAD) and PLM systems.Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.Excellent project management and organizational abilities.Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.Ability to manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously.Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams. Who We Are NexForm, headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a vertically integrated manufacturer of engineered fiber solutions for