simplehuman is seeking a sharp Product Development Manager to join our Research & Development team to develop early concept ideas and products. R&D is part of our larger product development team. The right candidate should ideally have engineering or technical training, but is more interested in the concept research and project management aspects of product development. The Product Development Manager should have the ability to give strategic input as well as handle detailed vendor management. Under the direction of a lead project manager, this role will become a subject matter expert who performs research, distill key information, identify opportunities, arrange prototyping and testing. The Product Development Manager is not a technical engineering position, but rather, applies engineering education and experience in a broader research and strategic capacity.
The Product Development Manager is an important position that contributes directly to our short and long-term product development, and has the opportunity to grow into a lead manager, or transition into other areas in the broader team. It is a full-time position that sits in our Torrance, CA office. This is NOT a remote position.

Responsibilities:

• Research new technology areas for new and existing products
• Seek out and visit vendors and engineering resources skilled in new technologies
• Identify and evaluate key components or technology solutions to accomplish features/functions for new product categories
• Develop, test and validate proof of concept designs and prototypes to validate new product concepts
• Manage internal engineering, outside vendors, and engineering consultants to deliver innovative solutions
• Develop turnover packages so R&D engineering solutions can be translated into production solutions
• Lead complex projects that involve multiple teams, vendors and deadlines to contribute to new product development
• Visit trade shows

Qualifications:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with complex project management
• Proven leadership skills with an ability to work with internal and external partners to solve problems creatively
• A hands-on approach to quickly evaluate and test out prototypes and solutions
• Experience with the creating new concepts and products
• A curious mindset
• Excellent verbal and written communications
• 2 years of experience in early stage product development role in a consumer technology company
• 3-D CAD skills, preferably Solidworks or Pro-E a plus

Us…

We create tools for efficient living. Through innovation and new technologies, we find ways to streamline simple tasks – ones that are so basic that we take them for granted. We make gorgeous trash cans that respond to voice commands, mirrors that speak with Alexa, and soap pumps that dispense with a wave of the hand. At simplehuman, we value ingenuity, precise communications, fast iteration and scrappyness. We’re laid-back, but work hard. And we only build products we love to use ourselves.

• Tight-knit team with work hard, play hard tradition – we take pride in individual and team success and push boundaries to make the best products.
• Cool office with full-court gym fitness activities/classes (basketball, yoga, volleyball, badminton, krav maga, more) weight room
• Free Wednesday breakfasts birthday celebrations holiday parties/trips juice club
• Great Benefits Competitive Compensation