Other Key Responsibilities Will Include:
- Partner with U.S. Engineering, Product Management, and Sourcing teams to drive a 24/7 product development model, advancing projects and maintaining momentum across time zones.
- Lead NPD projects with suppliers from concept through mass production, including product specification alignment with the U.S. team, project schedule development, and design review coordination.
- Partner with suppliers to rapidly iterate innovation concepts, coordinating quick-turn prototypes, proof-of-concept samples, and looks-like / works-like models to test ideas early and accelerate learning.
- Organize fast build-test-learn cycles with suppliers, capturing results clearly and sharing recommendations with the U.S. team so concepts can be quickly refined, advanced, or stopped.
- Identify and engage suppliers with the technical capability and speed to support innovation work, and help source new technologies, components, and features that can differentiate our products.
- Evaluate concepts, prototypes, and supplier samples from the Western end user’s perspective, considering how consumers unbox, assemble, operate, adjust, clean, and store the product.
- Ensure product designs, features, and finishes support a clear value proposition for Western consumers and meet U.S. consumer and retailer expectations for quality, durability, and fit and finish.
- Conduct prototype validation testing and supplier product evaluation, and drive resolution of design, quality, and performance issues.
- Participate in the engineering build and pilot production for all NPD projects.
- Prepare technical documents for certification and agency approval, and ensure products comply with UL and other applicable safety standards and regulations.
- Ensure projects meet timeline, cost, product requirements, and packaging claims.
- Support Sourcing during quotation and supplier selection phases.
- Provide clear reporting in English on project progress, risks, and mitigation plans to U.S.-based engineering and program partners.
Qualification/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline and a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in project engineering or product development.
- Experience developing electrical home appliances (fans, heaters, air purifiers preferred) from concept through mass production.
- Demonstrated experience working directly with suppliers on prototyping and early-stage concept development, with the ability to drive fast iteration cycles.
- Understanding of Western consumers, including how they interact with home products, the designs and features they value, their value expectations, and their standards for quality and durability. Experience developing products for U.S. or European markets is strongly preferred.
- Solid knowledge of electrical home appliance design, manufacturing processes, and product testing and validation.
- Familiarity with UL and other safety standards for electrical home appliances.
- High level of English language proficiency, both written and verbal, to enable effective day-to-day collaboration with U.S.-based teams.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; self-motivated, hands-on, and results-driven.
- Availability and flexibility to collaborate across time zones in support of a 24/7 product development model.
- Experience in CAD is an advantage.
- Willing to travel frequently within China (and Asia if required).
