PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEER Handheld Personal APPLICATOR

Phase 1: Feasibility & Concept Architecture OVERVIEW I'm developing a handheld personal care applicator and seeking a Mechanical Engineer to validate the product architecture and develop concept-level designs. Phase 1 Objective: Assess feasibility, identify engineering challenges, and create sketch-level 3D concepts proving the design is manufacturable and user-friendly. This is a go/no-go validation phase—not production-ready engineering, but solid concept validation before committing to detailed engineering. THE CHALLENGE Design a handheld applicator that: • Stores and precisely dispenses a thick fluid/cream • The ideal solution may involve storage, metering, controlled delivery, mixing, or flow-management of one or more fluid components within a handheld consumer product • Feels ergonomic and intuitive for consumer and professional use • Can be easily disassembled for cleaning • Supports replaceable/interchangeable application tips • Is manufacturable via injection molding at scale Design preference: Plastic and elastomer construction wherever practical. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR You have real-world experience designing or engineering handheld consumer products involving: • Fluid dispensing, metering, or mixing systems • Thick fluids or creams (lotions, gels, cosmetics, etc.) • Personal care or beauty applicators • Ergonomic handheld form factors • Injection-molded plastic products • User-friendly operation and cleaning strategies Example backgrounds: Hair care tools, beauty device engineering, cosmetic packaging design, personal care applicators, lotion/cream dispensers, or similar consumer fluid-handling products. PHASE 1 DELIVERABLES • Feasibility assessment and risk identification • Recommended product architecture • 2–3 alternative concept approaches with pros/cons • Sketch-level 3D CAD concepts showing form, internal mechanism, and assembly strategy • PDF summary report with findings, design rationale, and recommendations • Supporting design notes explaining key decisions and trade-offs REQUIRED SCREENING QUESTIONS Before discussing project details, please answer: 1. Describe a specific handheld consumer product you designed/engineered that involved dispensing, metering, or controlling thick fluids (creams, gels, cosmetics, lotions, or similar). • Product name/category • Your specific role • Primary engineering challenge and how you solved it 2. Provide a portfolio link or example showing this work (images, CAD, case study, or similar). 3. Have you worked on products involving dual-fluid systems, fluid mixing, controlled dispensing, or consumer applicators? If yes, please briefly describe the product and your role. Candidates providing generic responses or without portfolio evidence will not be considered. IMPORTANT: NDA REQUIRED Before I share detailed project specifications, you must be willing to sign a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement. This is a standard, brief 1–2 page NDA protecting both parties. If you're uncomfortable with an NDA, please do not apply. TIMELINE & BUDGET • Phase 1 Duration: 3–4 weeks • Phase 1 Budget: Please provide a fixed-price proposal for Phase 1 • Phase 2 (Optional): Additional budget available for detailed engineering (separate proposal if Phase 1 is approved) HOW TO APPLY • Answer the screening questions with specific examples and portfolio links • Confirm you're willing to sign an NDA before discussing full project details • Provide estimated timeline and brief description of your approach Generic proposals will not be reviewed. NEXT STEPS Selected candidates will: • Sign a mutual NDA • Receive the full technical RFP with complete product specifications • Begin Phase 1 work per the agreed timeline Ready? Share your relevant experience and portfolio.