At Kids2, we’re really good at what we do. And when we’re great at our jobs, we help parents be great at their jobs.
Parenting is demanding, and that’s where we come in. We want to reimagine how brands can make it easier for early stage parents – not by just selling them products, but by providing holistic solutions that transcend borders, categories and aisles.
No matter our title or department, at Kids2, our job is to create more tiny wins for parents, so they can create bright futures for their little ones. That’s a big task!
We’re serious about what we do, AND we love to have fun. Our team is hardworking, entrepreneurial, and passionate about helping families create millions, if not billions of tiny wins.
SUMMARY
The Design Engineer – Strollers & Safety Gates is responsible for the end-to-end design, engineering, and launch of stroller and gate products, serving as the technical project leader from concept through production.
This role requires hands-on stroller and/or safety gates experience and strong working knowledge of mechanisms and regulatory requirements. The Design Engineer consolidates inputs from cross-functional partners to ensure products meet consumer needs, regulatory standards, cost targets, and schedule commitments, while supporting global product platforms and regional execution.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Product Development & Engineering
- Lead the design and engineering of stroller and safety gate systems, including frames, folding mechanisms, latching systems, wheels, brakes, and structural assemblies
- Develop and manage detailed product specifications covering feature, performance, durability, safety, and cost requirements
- Engineer components and assemblies to meet all regulatory, safety, and internal quality standards (ASTM, EN, JP, etc.)
- Own 3D CAD development, design reviews, tolerance analysis, and drawing release
- Evaluate and apply plastics, injection molding, metal forming, tubing, welding, and textile integration best practices
- Drive design for manufacturability (DFM), assembly (DFA), durability, and serviceability
- Collaborate closely with Industrial Design to ensure alignment between design intent and engineering execution
- Partner with Electronics Engineering on integration of electronic components where applicable (lights, sensors, locks, etc.)
Project & Cost Management
- Manage all engineering activities for assigned programs, platforms, and derivatives
- Analyze component and product cost; identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities (VAVE)
- Collaborate with Asia engineering, sourcing, and operations teams on tooling strategy and capital investment decisions
- Coordinate prototype builds, engineering samples, regulatory samples, and production readiness builds
- Support gate reviews, risk assessments, and launch readiness milestones
Vendor Management:
- Collaborates with Asia engineering and procurement teams for the sourcing, evaluation, and final selection of component and/or product venders. Final review and selection determined by Operations team.
- Monitor and help resolve in collaboration with the Product integration team, all product, quality and performance issues between factories, vendors and the Kids2 product development team.
- Travel to Asia at strategic times in the development cycle to oversee the development and launch of products and maintain milestones within the product development process.
Vendor & Manufacturing Collaboration
- Work with Asia engineering and procurement teams to evaluate and support vendor selection
- Provide technical support to factories during development, pilot, and production ramp-up
- Troubleshoot and resolve design, quality, and performance issues in collaboration with Product Integrity and Manufacturing
- Participate in factory visits and on-site support during critical development and launch phases
Cross-Functional Collaboration & IP Awareness
- Work cross-functionally with Product Management, Operations, Product Integrity, Packaging, Legal, and Quality teams
- Support IP reviews and patent search documentation in collaboration with the Legal team
- Ensure competitive benchmarking and awareness of prior art in stroller and gate categories
Reporting & Process Discipline
- Provide regular engineering status updates covering schedule, risk, cost, and execution
- Maintain development schedules and documentation within Workfront / PLM systems
- Follow established product lifecycle and development governance processes
- Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Required
- Direct, hands-on experience developing strollers or safety gates (must have prior stroller or gate program ownership or major subsystem responsibility)
- Strong mechanical design experience in juvenile products, consumer durables, or mobility systems
- Proven ability to lead engineering execution from concept through production
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supply-base collaboration in Asia
Preferred
- Experience with gate products, latching systems, or safety-critical consumer products
- Prior factory support and launch experience in China or Southeast Asia
EDUCATION & SKILLS
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
- Proficiency in 3D CAD systems (Creo or SolidWorks)
- Strong knowledge of injection molding, metal forming, tube welding, textile integration, and mechanical assemblies
- Solid understanding of product development processes and lifecycle execution
- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Proficient 3D CAD system knowledge, Proficient in Microsoft suite of business software including Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to sit; have flexible use of hands; and talk or hear.
- The team member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- General office environment
- Offsite manufacturing facilities
We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits. Plus, to keep things fun (because we are all kids at heart), we offer a host of team member activities and philanthropic efforts throughout the year and company-wide awards and recognition for a job well done!
Check out our website at www.kids2.com and our social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more information and open positions in the career section.
Drug Free Workplace M/F/D/V
