What does a lead product engineer do?
A lead product engineer designs and develops products and their manufacturing process. As a lead product engineer, you will oversee the product's transition from design to manufacture. It is your duty to create and test product prototypes and source materials needed to build these prototypes. Other duties that you will perform include working closely with the product development team and ensuring all products meet safety policies. Additionally, you will also be responsible for providing product engineer support and maintaining product technical documentation.
Lead product engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead product engineer resumes:
- Manage product lifecycle of ADSL gateways, wireless routers, adapters, switches, and IP cameras.
- Achieve Kaizen objectives, including optimizing Shipping/Receiving space, maximizing SMT running time and eliminating costly and unnecessary processes.
- Change ECO rework processes for several customers.
- Tool and train CMs for volume production operations.
- Respond to and resolve UL and CSA variation notices.
- Script the load test integration scenarios using selenium and Java frameworks.
- Design and implement web services and APIs using JAVA and XML.
- Utilize SolidWorks 96-10 in the development of product and tooling relate drawings.
- Direct coordination with off shore client for various QA relate reports and updates.
- Perform in-house training for support, system engineers and QA staff for new product releases.
- Support optical, mechanical, and electronic design engineers to resolve DFM issues and simplify assemblies.
- Work with UL and CSA engineers to develop reasonable, cost effective project plans for product certifications.
- Produce models & drawings in SolidWorks to develop designs for analysis of product form, fit, function and tolerance stacking.
- Measure development printers against DFx requirements.
- Commission to establish standard operation procedures, standard instructions, testing reports and protocols for future ISO implementation.
Lead product engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Lead Product Engineers are proficient in Java, Solidworks, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Creativity, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Lead Product Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 14%
Involved in developing Page object model automation framework using Web Driver & core JAVA.
- Solidworks, 5%
Produced models & drawings in SolidWorks to develop designs for analysis of product form, fit, function and tolerance stacking.
- Software Development, 5%
Keynote speaker at International Users Group meetings discussing hardware and software development methodologies.
- C++, 4%
Awarded patent for methodology to produce innovative materials and products via laser manufacturing machine proved through C++ program.
- CAD, 4%
Generate and maintain manufacturing specifications, bills of materials, product specifications, and CAD drawings of products.
- Product Design, 4%
Analyzed various product designs for common functionality and made recommendations on standardization of designs.
Common skills that a lead product engineer uses to do their job include "java," "solidworks," and "software development." You can find details on the most important lead product engineer responsibilities below.
Mechanical skills. The most essential soft skill for a lead product engineer to carry out their responsibilities is mechanical skills. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Additionally, a lead product engineer resume shows how their duties depend on mechanical skills: "lead design optimizations and cost down efforts through structural, thermal and electro- mechanical fe analysis. "
Creativity. Many lead product engineer duties rely on creativity. "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery," so a lead product engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways lead product engineer responsibilities rely on creativity: "redesigned window hardware to successfully reduce skus and inventory for a $280k per year savings on an existing product line. "
Listening skills. lead product engineers are also known for listening skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to lead product engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." A lead product engineer resume example shows how listening skills is used in the workplace: "led peer and management design reviews and communicated potential issues that may have inhibited flawless program execution. "
Math skills. lead product engineer responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This resume example shows what lead product engineers do with math skills on a typical day: "developed sas scripts for quantitative and exploratory data analysis. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for lead product engineer responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of lead product engineers all the time, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." An excerpt from a real lead product engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a lead product engineer does: "engineered solutions for customers and assisted with new product development projects. "
The three companies that hire the most lead product engineers are:
- Wolters Kluwer315 lead product engineers jobs
- Boeing42 lead product engineers jobs
- Amplitude11 lead product engineers jobs
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Lead product engineer vs. Product lead
A product lead is responsible for monitoring the development of new products and services of an organization, starting from brand conceptualization to official market release and distribution. Product leads identify effective product management by conducting data analysis and evaluating market statistics of customer demands. They coordinate with the clients on their specifications and requirements, including the budget limit and timely deliverables. A product lead manages the brand promotion on media platforms, creating content that adheres to the target audience.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead product engineers and product lead. For instance, lead product engineer responsibilities require skills such as "solidworks," "software development," "ul," and "failure analysis." Whereas a product lead is skilled in "product management," "architecture," "digital marketing," and "lifecycle management." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Product leads tend to make the most money working in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $129,039. In contrast, lead product engineers make the biggest average salary, $105,074, in the technology industry.On average, product leads reach similar levels of education than lead product engineers. Product leads are 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lead product engineer vs. Design engineer
A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs. A design engineer also provides recommendations on improving existing systems to boost its performance and increase efficiency. Design engineers must have an excellent command of computer systems, programming codes, and technical data to ensure the system's stability and high-quality processes. A design engineer should also have strong analytical and time-management skills to perform tasks and meet deadlines.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lead product engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "java," "solidworks," "software development," and "cad." Meanwhile, a design engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "work ethic," "engineering design," "auto cad," and "creo." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Design engineers earn a lower average salary than lead product engineers. But design engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,213. Additionally, lead product engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $105,074 annually.design engineers earn lower levels of education than lead product engineers in general. They're 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for lead product engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Lead product engineer vs. Staff engineer
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lead product engineer resumes include skills like "solidworks," "product design," "ul," and "continuous improvement," whereas a staff engineer is more likely to list skills in "python," "architecture," "ongoing development," and "system design. "
Staff engineers earn the highest salary when working in the telecommunication industry, where they receive an average salary of $119,079. Comparatively, lead product engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $105,074.When it comes to education, staff engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to lead product engineers. In fact, they're 4.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lead product engineer vs. Tool engineer
A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead product engineers and tool engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead product engineer might have more use for skills like "software development," "c++," "ul," and "api." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of tool engineers require skills like "python," "ruby," "unix," and "jigs. "
Tool engineers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $94,406. For comparison, lead product engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of tool engineers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to lead product engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 12.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.9%.Types of lead product engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











