What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Engineer - Prototyping and Manufacturing position at ZERNO?
Product Development Engineer - Prototyping and Manufacturing
Hybrid (Hillside, IL) | Full-Time
About Us: We are an award-winning, Chicago-based company designing and manufacturing premium coffee grinders for the specialty coffee industry. Our products combine precision engineering, industrial design, and hands-on craftsmanship to create exceptional tools for coffee enthusiasts around the world. We are a small team that values curiosity, continuous improvement, attention to detail, and thoughtful product development. When you join us, you work directly with the founders, contribute to globally recognized products, and grow alongside a company that's serious about its craft.
About the Role: This role is designed for someone early in their career who wants to get their hands dirty across the full product development lifecycle — not just one slice of it. On any given day you might be refining a prototype, reviewing tolerances on a new component, or collaborating with manufacturers.
You'll work directly with the product team on current and future development initiatives, blending prototyping, manufacturing support, quality assurance, and design collaboration. You have side projects, personal builds, or tinkering experience that shows how you think and what you care about.
What You’ll Do:
Product Development & Prototyping
- Support the development and refinement of new products and accessories
- Build, test, and refine prototypes, product concepts, and manufacturing techniques
- Document testing results, observations, and recommended improvements
- Participate in brainstorming, design reviews, and product improvement discussions
CAD & Documentation
- Create and revise CAD models, technical drawings, and engineering documentation
- Prepare production files and documentation for manufacturers and suppliers
- Maintain organized project files, engineering documentation, and development records
- Work with internal teams to review manuals and technical documentation
Manufacturing & Quality
- Review products, components, and assemblies for quality, fitment, and consistency
- Identify opportunities for assembly, manufacturing, and process improvements
- Assist with sourcing components and materials for prototypes and production
- Learn product assembly and disassembly procedures to support continuous improvement
- Communicate product features, specifications, and technical requirements with suppliers and manufacturers
Who You Are:
- You'd rather take something apart than read about it
- You're comfortable with CAD software — Fusion 360 experience is a plus
- You have a strong mechanical aptitude and genuine problem-solving instinct
- Comfortable working hands-on with prototypes, tools, and assemblies
- You're detail-oriented but also able to move fast and adapt when priorities shift
- You have side projects, tinkering experience, or a portfolio that shows how you think
- You communicate clearly and collaborate well in a small team setting
- You're early in your career and looking for a place to grow, not just a job
- You’re comfortable working in a small, collaborative environment where priorities may evolve as projects develop
- You appreciate the craft behind precision tools and the culture around specialty coffee
Nice to Have:
- Experience with 3D printing or rapid prototyping
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes and DFM principles
- Understanding of materials and mechanical systems
- Experience with consumer products or hardware development
- Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
Why You’ll Love This Role:
- Direct mentorship and collaboration with the founders
- Hands-on experience across the full product development lifecycle — R&D, prototyping, manufacturing, QA, and beyond
- Real ownership and meaningful contribution to globally recognized products
- A front-row seat inside a fast-growing, design-driven consumer hardware company
- We're a small team that invests in the people who join us — this is a role with real room to develop alongside the company
Compensation: $55,000–$70,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Think this sounds like you? Send us your resume to joinus@zerno.co. Skip the AI-generated cover letter. Tell us in your own words what drew you to this role and what you've built or tinkered with. That note matters more than your resume.
Salary : $55,000 - $70,000