Product Design Engineer

About Engineering Lab

Engineering Lab is a hands-on hardware product design studio based in Amsterdam. We partner with start-ups and scale-ups to design, prototype, and build innovative devices across industries, from aerospace sensors to custom MIDI controllers, mobility and data systems to interactive installations.

We’re a friendly, multidisciplinary team that values experimentation, craft, and building things that actually work. If you’re a creative problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced environments and loves making real, functional things; you’ll feel right at home here.

The Role

We’re looking for a Mid to Senior Product Designer to join our team and help shape physical products from early concept through to production. This is a hands-on role; you’ll be sketching, CADing, prototyping, and collaborating across disciplines to create products that are beautiful, intelligent, and manufacturable.

You’ll work closely with engineers, developers, and clients to define not just how things look and feel, but how they work, inside and out.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead or contribute to the full design process; from research and concept sketching to CAD, prototyping, and final documentation
• Translate abstract or technical requirements into compelling, manufacturable product designs
• Create physical products that are visually striking, usable, and ergonomic
• Collaborate with manufacturers to ensure technical feasibility and alignment
• Explore materials, CMF (colour, material, finish), and DFM (design for manufacturing) tradeoffs to guide production decisions
• Build prototypes in-house using 3D printing, CNC machining, PCBs, silicone molding and hand tools
• Present your work clearly and confidently — internally and to clients
• Contribute to early-stage product definition, feature scoping, and user-focused thinking
• Be adaptable and thrive in a fast-moving, collaborative studio setting

About You

You come from an industrial or product design background and have at least 5 years of experience designing physical products. You’re more than comfortable across the entire design process — from early ideation to detailed DFM — and know how to balance beauty, usability, and engineering realities.

Fusion is part of your daily workflow and you're an expert user and able to create interesting concepts with minimal effort. You have hands-on prototyping experience — whether that’s model-making, 3D printing, or building functional rigs. You understand how things are manufactured and can make smart design decisions based on materials and production methods.

You have a working understanding of UX and physical interaction design, especially when it comes to hardware or embedded interfaces. You’re confident presenting your ideas clearly, whether through sketches, visuals, or conversation. And you love the idea of working on fast, diverse, and challenging projects — often with early-stage founders, evolving briefs and tight deadlines.

If you're a dedicated designer looking for a challenging role where you can push your skills, work on meaningful projects, and grow as part of a talented and driven team — we’d love to hear from you.

What We’re Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial/Product Design (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of experience in product or industrial design (agency/studio/startup background is a plus)
• Expert in CAD and DFM workflows
• Exceptional skills in Fusion (Design, Rendering & Electronics modules)
• Good understanding of materials and manufacturing (plastics, metals, composites)
• Practical experience prototyping and building functional models
• Familiarity with UX and interaction design principles for physical interfaces
• Confident English speaker, communicator and presenter
• A strong portfolio showing your process, design thinking, and finished outcomes
• Comfortable working on multiple projects in parallel, often under tight deadlines
• Able to stay calm, focused, and effective in high-pressure or fast-paced situations
• Agency/Design Studio/Startup experience is required for this role

Bonus Skills:

• Familiarity with embedded systems or firmware workflows
• A strong technical understanding of electronics and/or software programming
• Experience designing audio gear, control interfaces, or MIDI-related hardware
• Knowledge of CMF and strong attention to detail
• Comfortable being part of project documentation — including appearing in process photos, case studies, or media content
• General workshop proficiency (CNC, soldering, mechanical assembly, etc.)

Why Engineering Lab?

• Tackle real-world, technically interesting design challenges
• Work on a wide variety of products across industries
• Join a small, skilled, and supportive team with big impact
• Access to a fully-equipped prototyping lab — 3D printing, CNC, electronics
• Collaborate directly with ambitious founders, engineers, and global innovators
• Flat structure, flexible work style, and a growing culture you can help shape

Location & Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• Be currently living in the Netherlands - Amsterdam area
• Have the legal right to work in the Netherlands (EU citizen or valid permit)
• Be available to work on-site in our Amsterdam studio
• Unfortunately we cannot support work visa applications at this time

Inclusion & Accessibility

Engineering Lab is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds — regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, or disability. If there’s anything we can do to support or adapt the application process for you, just let us know.