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Product Development Engineer
Chula Vista, CA, US
Engineering
High School or equivalent
Full Time, Direct Hire
$115K-$125K
Experienced (Non-Manager)
On-site
Manufacturing - Other
First Shift (Day)
Chula Vista, CA, US
$115K-$125K
Experienced (Non-Manager)
Full Time, Direct Hire
Manufacturing - Other
On-site
Engineering
High School or equivalent
First Shift (Day)
Job details
Product Development Engineer (Hands-On, Full Ownership Role)
Location: Chula Vista, CA (100% Onsite)
Job Type: Direct Hire
Salary Range: $105,000 – $130,000 annually (based on experience)
About the Opportunity
Kelly Engineering is partnering with an established, niche technology company in the scientific and behavioral research space. This organization designs and manufactures specialized equipment used by pharmaceutical companies and research institutions worldwide.
This is not a traditional, siloed engineering role.
This is a high-ownership position where you will take products from concept through production and real-world use. You’ll work directly with leadership, influence product direction, and have a clear path into a management role within your first year.
If you’re an engineer who enjoys building, troubleshooting, and improving real hardware, this is the kind of role that can significantly accelerate your career.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead product development from concept through production and customer use
- Design and develop systems combining mechanical, electronic, and firmware components
- Build, test, and iterate prototypes in a hands-on environment
- Troubleshoot and resolve real-world product issues, including direct customer support
- Collaborate with contract manufacturers and improve product manufacturability
- Work cross-functionally with leadership on product direction and long-term planning
- Improve product reliability, performance, and cost efficiency
Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on product development experience
- Strong background in electronics (analog and digital) and hardware systems
- Experience taking products from concept through production
- Comfortable debugging and troubleshooting real systems
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, less structured environment
- Strong communication skills and willingness to interact with customers
Preferred:
- Experience with embedded systems or firmware
- Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar hands-on electronics projects
- Background in scientific instruments, lab equipment, or related hardware
- CAD experience (SolidWorks or similar)
Who This Role Is Best For
- Engineers who prefer ownership over specialization
- Candidates from small to mid-sized companies or hands-on environments
- Individuals who enjoy building, fixing, and improving real products
- Those looking to grow into a leadership or management role quickly
What Sets This Role Apart
- Full product ownership from concept to customer
- Direct visibility with leadership (reports to company President)
- High-impact role supporting products used globally
- Fast-track opportunity into management within ~12 months
- Hands-on environment with real engineering challenges
Benefits
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k)
- Additional benefits available
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Why Kelly® Engineering?
Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.