Product engineers create and design products, whether for the consumer market or for different industries. They also study the market and other products to identify the needs of customers.
Product engineers should be conversant with every aspect of the process of developing a product and current with the latest technological advances. After a concept for a product is formulated feasibility studies must be conducted to determine whether a budget is available for the product, and if it has the potential to make a profit. The product is then developed and a prototype constructed. After sufficient tests are conducted and plans are drawn up to manufacture the product in a larger quantity and then release it to the market. Once a product is tested, the product's engineers might require support or fix or improve the product when problems are identified. Certain products are withdrawn because they don't sell well in the marketplace.
Product engineers must be present at all stages of the development process Some of the work is performed by themselves however, it is essential to be able to collaborate effectively with other people in these phases to introduce new products into the market. A master's or bachelor's degrees in the field of engineering, or another related field, and an extensive portfolio of work might be required for this job.