Product Development Engineer

The Role: Product Development Engineer

The Product Development Engineer is a core contributor within Newport's Product Development organization, responsible for translating the company's product roadmap into market-ready electric propulsion solutions. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, and product strategy, helping shape how Newport designs, builds, and launches products that reinforce the brand's leadership in small-boat electrification.

As both a technical owner and execution leader, the Product Development Engineer plays a critical role in establishing scalable development practices, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring new products meet Newport's standards for performance, reliability, and customer experience.
This position is based in or willing to relocate within 75 miles of Carlsbad, CA.

Who We Are:

Newport is the leading innovator in next-generation electric small boat systems, delivering unrivaled experiences on the water for more than a decade. Built by anglers for anglers, our motors, batteries, and boats are designed to work together to maximize time on the water with power, efficiency, and reliability. At Newport, we build complete systems that eliminate the hassle and limitations of gas so you can focus on fishing. At Newport, the way forward is electric.

What You'll Do:

As the Product Development Engineer, you will lead the design, development, testing, and pre-production readiness of new electric motors, batteries, and accessories. You'll take products from early concept through structured development and launch, making practical trade-offs across performance, cost, manufacturability, and reliability while maintaining forward momentum.

You'll operate within a disciplined product development framework, coordinating mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software workstreams, and applying design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly principles early in the process. This includes defining validation and test approaches, preparing designs for production and certification, and ensuring teams are aligned as programs move toward launch.

You'll also work closely with international suppliers and contract manufacturers, supporting factory builds, validation, and production ramp-up as needed. Internally, you'll collaborate across engineering, product, operations, and leadership teams to support hardware-software integration and contribute to a cohesive, reliable product ecosystem used in real-world marine environments.

Who You Are:

• Engineering degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, or a related field
• Experience designing electromechanical consumer products, including motors, batteries, and electrical systems
• Proficient in CAD, technical documentation, and hands-on validation/testing
• Proven ability to own complex product development efforts from concept through launch
• Strong project execution skills with the ability to manage ambiguity and make sound trade-offs
• Experience working with international suppliers and contract manufacturers, preferably in Asia
• Deep understanding of manufacturability, scale, and production realities
• Ownership-driven, systems-oriented thinker with high attention to detail
• Clear, effective communicator who collaborates well across functions and partners
• Based within commuting distance of Carlsbad, CA (or willing to relocate), with openness to in-office work and international travel