Overview
Product Development Engineer Jobs in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada at OpTalent | Canada | Recruitment
Title: Product Development Engineer
Company: OpTalent | Canada | Recruitment
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
We’re working with a well-established Canadian manufacturer that designs and produces furniture solutions used across healthcare environments, including hospitals and care facilities.
The organization is entering a new phase of product expansion, with a focus on developing new solutions within its core healthcare product offering, and is looking for a Product Development Manager to take ownership of bringing new products from early concept through to full production.
The Opportunity
This is a hands-on, build-focused role where you will not simply manage a product roadmap, but take direct ownership of how products are designed, engineered, and manufactured in practice.
You will lead new product initiatives end-to-end while also improving existing product lines already in market. This role is best suited for someone who enjoys being close to engineering, manufacturing, and real-world problem-solving rather than operating at a high-level coordination layer.
You will be the driver of execution across product development, not just a contributor to it.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Owning product development from early concept through design, validation, and production launch
- Taking full accountability for the product lifecycle, including new launches, improvements, cost optimization, and end-of-life decisions
- Leading development of new healthcare furniture solutions within the broader product portfolio
- Working directly with engineering, operations, and quality teams to bring physical products to life
- Troubleshooting real-world product performance issues, including warranty and field feedback
- Applying design for manufacturability thinking to improve buildability, cost, and quality
- Translating customer and operational needs into practical, manufacturable solutions
What We’re Looking For
- 6+ years of experience in product development, engineering, or manufacturing-focused environments
- Strong understanding of how physical products are designed, built, and improved, not just managed
- Experience working with materials such as steel, wood, foam, plastics, or upholstered systems
- Background in furniture, healthcare products, or similar manufacturing industries is an asset
- Comfortable working in smaller teams where you are directly involved in execution
- Strong problem-solving mindset with a bias toward ownership, action, and outcomes
Why This Role
- Opportunity to own and shape a new product category from the ground up
- High visibility role working closely with leadership and engineering
- Tight-knit, experienced engineering team with strong tenure and technical depth
- Stable manufacturing business with a clear growth trajectory
- Direct impact on products used in healthcare environments across Canada
