Manager Product Development Engineering - job 1 of 2

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity: 

The role of the PDE Manager is built upon demonstrating a high level of business/role acumen and assuming responsibility for end-to-end ownership of their roles, while serving our customers.  This is a high growth, high visibility role with the opportunity to have frequent communication with senior management.  

• Optimizing product cost (10%)
  • Collaborating with our cross-functional teams and building costs
  • Working with Asia counterparts, in live VC’s, to brainstorm multiple cost scenarios and reductions
  • Participating in Kaizen’s to cost reduce items
• Ensuring scheduled deadlines are met (10%)
  • Attending on-site CR’s, in Asia     Attending on-site meetings in Asia as needed  (CR, Debug, Value Engineering, etc)
  • Evening meetings with Asia, often multiple times per week
• Constructing toy prototypes (25%)
  • Modeling physical prototypes in Solidworks or CREO
  • Building rapid prototypes for design validation
  • Kit-bashing existing items and making modifications by hand
• Optimizing toy performance during development (15%)
  • Hand modeling improvements to validate performance impact prior to tooling modifications
  • Making modifications to existing multi-year items to increase consumer experience, improve star ratings, and/or reduce cost
• Ensuring adherence to quality and safety regulations (5%)
  • Working with Quality partners on the Product Requirements Document
  • Using gauges to evaluate product performance
• Creating and reviewing functional specifications (5%)
  • Cross functional facilitation on verifying the document
• Managing and training employees (30%)
  • Managing a team of four to five employees, providing day-to-day guidance, support, and performance feedback
  • Acting as the team’s Digital Mentor, driving adoption of digital tools and best practices across the group
  • Supporting employee development through onboarding, training, and regular coaching conversations

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of relevant experience working in Product Engineering, Product Development or related field in consumer products
• Strong analytical and critical thinking mindset
• Ability to positively interact and connect with a diverse group of individuals (e.g. Design, Marketing, Engineering, Model Makers, Manufacturing, Finance, Planning, etc.)
• Proficiency in Product Scheduling and Product Lifecycle Management software along with Excel, Powerpoint
• Good understanding of financial indicators which influence product selection
• Superior organization and multi-tasking skills
• Comfortable and confident presenting to executives
• Ability to provide critical, honest feedback to direct reports
• Effective listening, influencing and problem-solving capabilities
• Overseas travel required
• Demonstrated growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $136,800 and $155,000.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights