Product Development Engineer – Rifle - CCI Speer

Pay Range:

The actual annual salary offered to a candidate will be based on variables including experience, geographic location, education, and skills/achievements, and will be mutually agreed upon at the time of offer.

CCI/SPEER is seeking a Product Development Engineer - Rifle to join the team. This role leads and supports rifle ammunition product development from concept through commercialization, including design, testing, validation, manufacturing implementation, and continuous improvement. In this role, you will transform ideas into next-generation ammunition technologies, combining creativity, engineering expertise, and hands-on testing to push the boundaries of ballistic performance. This role offers the opportunity to innovate new products, solve complex technical challenges, and directly influence the future of precision, reliability, and effectiveness for shooters worldwide.

This position may be filled at the Engineer I, II, or III level based on education, experience, and demonstrated technical capability. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, military experience, certifications, and directly related experience will be considered.

This position reports to the Director of Product Engineering and will be based out of our Lewiston, ID office.

What you'll do:

• Lead and support new rifle ammunition product development programs from concept through production launch.
• Design, develop, test, validate, and document new products, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain engineering specifications, bills of materials, qualification requirements, and technical documentation.
• Plan and execute laboratory, range, and manufacturing trials to evaluate product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Analyze test data and apply engineering principles, statistical methods, and root cause analysis techniques to support fact-based decision making.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to successfully introduce new products and process improvements into production.
• Assess manufacturing equipment capabilities and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Conduct failure analysis and resolve design, process, and production-related issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers to qualify materials, components, and processes supporting product development objectives.
• Support Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service teams by providing technical expertise, reviewing technical content, and occasionally supporting industry events and customer engagements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards throughout the development process.

Experience you bring:

Engineer I

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Science, Mathematics, or related equivalent technical experience.
• 1-3 years of related experience.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles, materials, manufacturing processes, and problem-solving methods.
• Ability to perform engineering assignments of moderate scope using established practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting capability.
• Ability to learn engineering tools, testing methods, and design practices applicable to ammunition development.

Engineer II

• Bachelor's degree and 2-6 years of relevant experience, or advanced degree with applicable experience.
• Thorough understanding of product development processes and engineering fundamentals.
• Able to independently manage portions of product development programs and technical projects.
• Proficient in engineering analysis, experimental design, and statistical decision-making techniques.
• Experience identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions for product or process issues.
• Capable of leading smaller projects and serving as a technical resource within the product development team.
• Ability to communicate technical requirements effectively with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Engineer III

• Bachelor's degree and 4-10 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree and 2-6 years’ experience.
• Technical leader capable of leading major product development programs and complex engineering initiatives.
• Advanced knowledge of ammunition design, manufacturing processes, materials, product validation, and performance analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to lead root cause investigations and complex technical problem-solving efforts.
• Experience developing and executing comprehensive test plans using statistical and engineering analysis methods.
• Capable of providing technical leadership across projects.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in rifle ammunition, firearms, ballistics, projectile design, cartridge design, or related product development.
• Knowledge of advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and product validation methodologies.
• Experience with statistical software such as Minitab or equivalent analytical tools.
• CAD experience, including solid modeling and engineering drawing creation.
• Experience supporting new product introductions in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

You also might have:

• Hunting, shooting sports, handloading, firearms industry, or military experience.
• Familiarity with internal and external ballistic testing methods.
• Knowledge of ammunition industry standards and testing protocols.

Experience with tooling design and machining processes.

Work Environment:

Employee work assignments may include tasks working with and/or exposure to potentially hazardous areas, including flammables and explosives. Safety training is provided to all employees to ensure compliance with company and federal regulations.

Benefits:

At The Kinetic Group, we believe the people who build great products deserve great support. That's why we offer day-one healthcare coverage, company-paid parental leave, a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 6%, career development opportunities, education assistance, and paid time away from work to help you thrive both professionally and personally.