Full-Time

Senior Product Development Engineer

Posted on 5/9/2026

Freudenberg Group

Freudenberg Group

10,001+ employees

Global group manufacturing seals, cleaning, textiles

No salary listed

Carpinteria, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Biology & Biotech (1)
Required Skills
Risk Management
Requirements
  • Bachelor's/University degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Biomedical, etc.), or related science/technical field
  • 8+ years' experience of engineering in medical device or related industry experience
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding medical device standards and regulations
  • Extensive knowledge of GMP principles and their application in medical device manufacturing, including country-specific regulatory requirements
  • Knowledge of global regulatory requirements including risk management efforts and thorough risk assessments and mitigation strategies
  • Experience supporting customer/clinical studies, collecting data, and collaborating with customer/clinicians to ensure compliance with study protocols
  • Strong familiarity with rapid prototyping techniques
  • Execution of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles and process characterization activities to design and develop products that are manufacturable and cost effective
  • Strong experience with Project Management (including organizing and facilitating meetings, project planning, balancing multiple projects, and budgeting) and Project management tools (e.g. MS Project)
  • Knowledge of biocompatibility requirements and expertise in selecting appropriate materials for medical device applications and incorporating human factors engineering principles to optimize medical device usability and user experience
  • Knowledge of IP laws and practices, including patent applications and protection of proprietary technologies
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives
  • Leadership skills in establishing and managing comprehensive design control processes, ensuring adherence throughout the product lifecycle
  • Ability to work independently and also lead small teams in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment
  • Ability to generate complex prototypes using various materials and techniques to test and validate product designs
  • Ability to effectively communicate complex technical issues and solutions to non-technical internal and/or external customers in both oral and written methods
  • Ability to create and maintain technical documentation, such as design specifications and test reports
Responsibilities
  • Lead and manage multiple cross-functional product development projects, ensuring on-time completion of deliverables while providing technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle
  • Prepare and lead design/development documentation, such as design input/output records, protocols, reports, and design history files in accordance with ISO, applicable regulatory and company standards
  • Translate customer requirements, user needs and/or other inputs into clear design requirements, specifications, and design input documentation (as applicable); participate in and lead risk management activities, design/project reviews, and verification testing to ensure product safety and efficacy; apply engineering analysis, design principles, and risk management tools to drive sound design decisions
  • Develop and evaluate prototypes, generate drawings/specifications, select appropriate materials, develop processes, and collaborate with suppliers to support device design, process development and manufacturing in compliance with regulatory and quality requirements
  • Lead process characterization and design verification activities, including test method development, fixture design, execution of testing, and documentation of results
  • Partner with customers/clinicians, marketing, regulatory, quality, NPI/manufacturing, and external experts to develop novel medical devices, assess new technologies/processes, and ensure clinical relevance and manufacturability of designs
  • Provide engineering support for design/process changes and product launches, resolving technical challenges and driving continuous improvement initiatives
  • Support audits and compliance activities as a subject matter expert
  • Participate in intellectual property activities by contributing to invention disclosures, patent strategy discussions, and design differentiation
  • May be asked to provide input to performance review
  • Formally trains and mentors' junior staff, or acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience
  • Support business development activities and opportunities
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills dealing with internal and external customers
Desired Qualifications
  • 3D solid modeling and technical drawings of medical devices
  • Experience with rapid prototyping techniques
  • Knowledge of IP laws and practices, including patent applications and protection of proprietary technologies
  • Leadership skills in establishing and managing comprehensive design control processes, ensuring adherence throughout the product lifecycle

The Freudenberg Group is a German family-owned technology company with a wide, diversified portfolio across industrial and consumer markets. Its businesses include Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, which makes seals and sealing systems for automotive and industrial use; Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions, which markets branded cleaning products such as Vileda, O-Cedar, and Wettex; and Freudenberg Performance Materials and Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, which supply technical textiles, nonwovens, and filtration solutions for automotive, construction, medical, and other sectors. The products range from high-tech industrial components to consumer cleaning goods sold through retail channels, produced and distributed globally. The group differentiates itself by family ownership, broad diversification across markets and products, and an integrated approach that serves multiple cycles and customers, aiming to grow its global portfolio while preserving long-term ownership.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Weinheim, Germany

Founded

1849

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Nilfisk takeover completed April 2026 adds 4,500 employees and cleaning machines in 100 countries.
  • Eulip acquisition strengthens Capol's food ingredients with specialized vegetable oils.
  • Full Japan Vilene ownership from Toray bolsters technical textiles and filtration businesses.

What critics are saying

  • Nilfisk integration destroys value through synergies failure and talent exodus by 2028.
  • Automotive OEM revenue collapses as EV transition erodes sealing demand by 2029.
  • Family governance paralyzes M&A decisions during market transitions by 2030.

What makes Freudenberg Group unique

  • Family-owned since 1849, Freudenberg diversifies across seals, textiles, filters, and cleaning.
  • Global leader in sealing for automotive and e-mobility via Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.
  • AI Innovation Center in USA integrates AI into material development for seals and filters.

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Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Company News

Berlingske Media
Feb 19th, 2026
Nilfisk shareholders get more time to consider $158-per-share takeover bid from Freudenberg

Nilfisk shareholders have until 8 April to accept a takeover offer from German conglomerate Freudenberg, the Danish company announced Thursday. The deadline was extended from this week. Freudenberg offered DKK 140 per share in December, valuing Nilfisk at nearly DKK 3.8 billion. The deal requires acceptance from shareholders representing over 90% of shares. Currently, shareholders holding 81.2% have accepted. Major shareholders Kirkbi Invest, Ferd and PrimeStone Capital, along with Nilfisk's board and management, controlling 50.9% of shares, committed to accepting in December. If successful, Freudenberg intends to delist Nilfisk from the Danish stock exchange. Founded in 1906, Nilfisk manufactures cleaning machines and employs approximately 4,500 people globally, selling products in over 100 countries.

Finance Community
Dec 3rd, 2025
Freudenberg Italia acquires Eulip to strengthen Capol's food ingredients business

Freudenberg Italia has acquired Eulip, a Parma-based manufacturer of specialised vegetable oils and fats. Eulip will join Capol, the food and beverage ingredients business unit of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities. The parties agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. Deloitte advised Freudenberg Italia on financial and tax matters, with a team led by partner Paolo Cosentino and senior partner Giorgio Orlandini. Hogan Lovells provided legal counsel. Eulip was advised by Houlihan Lokey, led by managing partner Tommaso Lillo, on transaction structuring. EY partners Marco Ginnasi and Eliana Basile handled accounting and tax matters, whilst Sutich – Barbieri – Sutich provided legal advice. Founded in 1946, Eulip is recognised for its portfolio of specialised vegetable oils and fats and customised solutions.

Sustainable Nonwovens
Dec 2nd, 2025
Freudenberg Acquires Full Japan Vilene Stake

Freudenberg Group has acquired the remaining 25% stake in Japan Vilene Company from its joint venture partner, Toray Industries, thereby strengthening its technical textiles and filtration businesses.

Nonwovens Industry
Mar 25th, 2025
Freudenberg Performance Materials Appoints CFO

He succeeds Marco Altherr, who is leaving the Freudenberg Group at his own request with effect from March 31, 2025, to take on new challenges outside the company.

PrimeView
Nov 27th, 2024
Freudenberg strengthens commitment to India with new product launches at CPhI & PMEC 2024

Freudenberg Medical recently announced the PharmaFocus(R) Premium ASTC UV-Shield Tubing, which is specifically intended for photosensitive pharmaceuticals and has a platinum-cured silicone interior and an opaque exterior to maintain the integrity and stability of light-sensitive fluids.