Product Development Engineer - Drinkware
$75k - $85k
Senior, Expert
Bachelor's
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
HybridFour days onsite and one day remote per week; must live within commuting distance of Hong Kong or Shenzhen.
Mechanical EngineeringDesign Engineering
About the job
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline is required.
- Five to ten years of product engineering or product development experience, preferably specializing in drinkware, hydration products, or related consumer products.
- Demonstrated experience with stainless steel, plastic injection molding, ceramic manufacturing, and associated production processes.
- Strong understanding of drinkware construction, tooling, materials, surface finishes, and product performance requirements.
- Experience working directly with manufacturers and suppliers in China.
- Proficiency with CAD software, technical drawings, product specifications, and engineering documentation.
- Experience with prototyping, product testing, manufacturing validation, and production troubleshooting.
- Understanding of product quality standards and applicable food-contact and consumer product safety requirements.
- Ability to manage multiple development projects while meeting quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
- Strong English communication skills.
- Must live within commuting distance of Hong Kong or Shenzhen.
- Must be 18 years or older to apply.
Responsibilities
- Lead the technical development of drinkware products, including insulated bottles, tumblers, mugs, hydration products, lids, closures, and accessories.
- Translate product concepts and design requirements into engineering specifications, technical drawings, prototypes, and production-ready products.
- Apply expertise in stainless steel, plastics, ceramics, and other materials to optimize product performance, durability, functionality, and cost.
- Evaluate construction methods, vacuum insulation, sealing systems, surface treatments, and manufacturing processes.
- Collaborate with product management and design teams to identify engineering solutions that support product innovation and differentiation.
- Develop and evaluate prototypes, conduct performance testing, and recommend modifications before production approval.
- Partner directly with manufacturing facilities across China and other Asian markets to evaluate technical capabilities, tooling requirements, and production readiness.
- Provide engineering support during tooling development, sampling, pilot production, and mass manufacturing.
- Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product construction, material utilization, and production costs.
- Collaborate with global sourcing teams and suppliers on manufacturing feasibility, technical negotiations, cost engineering, and product improvements.
- Troubleshoot engineering and manufacturing challenges, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Stay current on emerging manufacturing technologies, materials, finishes, and supplier capabilities within the drinkware industry.
- Establish technical specifications and performance requirements for new and existing drinkware products.
- Coordinate product testing for durability, insulation performance, leak resistance, material integrity, and functional reliability.
- Partner with quality and compliance teams to ensure products meet applicable food-contact, consumer safety, and regulatory requirements in target markets.
- Evaluate production samples and recommend improvements to ensure consistent product quality.
- Maintain accurate engineering documentation, product specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
- Identify emerging materials, technologies, construction methods, and manufacturing innovations that can differentiate BDA's drinkware offerings.
- Recommend product improvements that enhance consumer experience, quality, sustainability, and cost competitiveness.
- Partner with product management to assess the technical feasibility of new product concepts and category extensions.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across product development and manufacturing processes.
Desired Qualifications
- Direct specialization in drinkware, hydration products, or related consumer products is preferred.
- Mandarin proficiency is strongly preferred.
About the company
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates (BDA) offers promotional marketing and customized eCommerce solutions by creating and distributing branded merchandise. Its services cover the full life cycle: design, production, distribution, and online store management for clients such as international sports teams, corporations, and event organizers. The products are branded items tied to clients’ marketing goals, used to expand sales, unlock new revenue streams, and improve return on investment. BDA operates globally with distribution centers in North America, the Philippines, China, the UK, and the Netherlands to ensure efficient supply chain management and worldwide reach."} }
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Late Stage VC
Total Funding
$75M
Headquarters
Woodinville, Washington
Founded
1984
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- BDA grew North American revenue 17.3% to $551.8 million in 2025.
- Fortnite and Harley-Davidson partnerships open new in-stadium and dealer-network merchandise demand.
- Kristin Massoth's 2026 promotion targets faster sports licensing expansion across major leagues.
What critics are saying
- Heavy licensing dependence exposes BDA to contract loss when exclusivity terms expire after 2027-2028.
- Integrated acquisitions and EMEA expansion strain execution, especially across supply chains and sales teams.
- A lawsuit docket against BDA signals employee or contract disputes that can disrupt operations.
What makes Bensussen Deutsch & Associates unique
- BDA owns about 30 sports league licenses and 15 entertainment master licenses.
- Its 2026 Fortnite, Harley-Davidson, Care Bears, Popeye, and PAC-MAN deals deepen exclusivity.
- Harper + Scott adds New York creative capability to BDA's global logistics platform.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Mental Health Support
- Professional Development Budget
- Tuition Reimbursement