Product Innovation Engineer (m/w/d) -Microwave & Oven Appliances

We are looking for an experienced minded Product Innovation Engineer to drive product innovation for Microwave & Oven Appliances (MOA) team in the Midea Europe R&D Center.

Based in Europe, you will act as a key bridge between European market needs and Midea’s global R&D and product development teams in China. You will combine strong technical and R&D expertise with a deep understanding of consumer needs, market trends and competitive landscapes to identify new product opportunities and translate them into actionable product concepts and technical requirements.

This is a highly cross-functional role. You will work closely with European market teams, Sales & Marketing, customers, R&D, industrial design, engineering, quality, sourcing and Midea HQ to drive innovative products from market insight and concept development through validation and commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor European consumer trends, cooking habits, lifestyle changes and emerging product needs related to microwave and oven appliances.
• Conduct market, competitor and technology analysis to identify opportunities for product innovation and differentiation.
• Collect and translate feedback from European customers, consumers, retailers, Sales & Marketing teams and other market stakeholders into product requirements.
• Identify unmet consumer needs and emerging trends and turn them into actionable innovation opportunities.
• Benchmark competitors and best-in-class products across European markets.
• Lead and support the development of new product concepts for the European market, from initial ideation through concept validation.
• Define product concepts, key features, value propositions and technical requirements based on market needs and business objectives.
• Evaluate the technical feasibility, cost, competitiveness and potential customer value of new product ideas.
• Identify and introduce new technologies, functions, materials and solutions that can enhance product performance, user experience and market differentiation.
• Develop and maintain a forward-looking product innovation pipeline and contribute to the product roadmap for the European market.

3. Bridge Between Europe and Midea HQ

• Act as the key technical and product innovation interface between European teams and Midea’s HQ R&D and product development organizations in China.
• Translate European market requirements into clear and actionable technical/product requirements for HQ R&D teams.
• Challenge and support HQ development proposals from a European market and consumer perspective.
• Facilitate effective communication and alignment between European stakeholders and HQ throughout the product development process.
• Ensure that European market requirements, regulatory considerations, user expectations and competitive positioning are properly reflected in product development.
• Lead or coordinate cross-functional product innovation projects from concept to launch.
• Work closely with R&D engineering teams to assess technical solutions, prototypes and product performance.
• Participate in design reviews, prototype evaluations, testing and product validation.
• Provide technical and market input throughout the development process and ensure that key product requirements are achieved.
• Identify potential technical or market risks at an early stage and drive appropriate solutions together with relevant teams.
• Support successful transition from product development to mass production and market launch.

5. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales & Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Quality, Sourcing, Manufacturing and other functions to ensure successful product development.
• Support product launch activities by providing technical and product knowledge to Sales & Marketing teams.
• Represent MOA R&D/Product Innovation in customer meetings, product demonstrations, trade fairs and other relevant external activities when required.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders across Europe and China.

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, Product Design, Industrial Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in product development, R&D, product innovation, product management or engineering within the home appliance, consumer electronics or related industries.
• Strong understanding of microwave ovens, ovens, cooking appliances or adjacent home appliance technologies.
• Strong understanding of European consumer needs, market trends and competitive product landscapes.
• Proven ability to translate customer and market requirements into technical/product requirements.
• Experience working with international R&D teams and/or global headquarters is highly preferred.
• Strong project management and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence technical and commercial stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a customer- and innovation-oriented mindset.
• Willingness to travel within Europe and occasionally to China.
• Fluent English is required. German and/or Chinese language skills would be an advantage.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to play a key role in shaping the next generation of Microwave & Oven Appliances for the European market.
• A highly international working environment connecting European market teams with Midea’s global R&D organization.
• High visibility and direct exposure to both European market requirements and Midea HQ.
• The opportunity to influence product strategy and innovation from the early concept stage through commercialization.
• A dynamic environment with significant opportunities to develop and implement new technologies and product concepts.