Product Manager

About Changing State Technologies

Changing State Technologies (CST) is a New Zealand-based industrial technology company situated in Auckland, pioneering patented fluid-dynamics innovations that convert cavitation challenges into advantages. Their flagship offering, the MPR™ Pump Module, is a standardized module meant for seamless integration within OEM pump systems. CST is a technical and focused team advancing from successful prototyping and field validations toward wider commercial collaborations with OEM partners.

Role Overview

This hybrid position combines external product leadership with internal product ownership responsibilities and includes hands-on engineering leadership for the initial 6 to 12 months. The Product Manager will steer the product from market intelligence gathering through detailed requirements, roadmap development, OEM engagement, and execution. Supervision of two senior mechanical engineers and management of project timelines is integral, as the company expands its engineering capability. The role spans both inside activities—defining product specs, engineering leadership, keeping the roadmap on track, and conducting field trials—and outside engagements with OEM clients, market research, commercial discussions, and feedback analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Collate and prioritize requirements from pump OEMs, end users, trial data, and industry channels to inform product development.
• Draft and maintain clear Market Requirements Documents (MRDs) and Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) for the MPR™ module and future variants.
• Manage the product roadmap, including module variants, integration interfaces, performance targets, cost optimization, manufacturability, and potential future applications such as cooling and purification systems.
• Convert OEM integration requirements into actionable engineering specifications covering control systems, packaging, materials, and certification aspects.
• Establish metrics that define success, including comparisons with traditional pumps, total cost of ownership, reliability, installation flexibility, energy efficiency, and the overall OEM value proposition.
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership to engage both new and existing OEM customers in advancing partnerships.
• Lead or assist in technical-commercial negotiations concerning integration feasibility, performance claims, trial setups, differentiation, and partnership frameworks.
• Serve as the product representative during customer visits, site trials, trade events, and technical presentations.
• Manage, mentor, and guide two senior mechanical engineers on priorities, quality assurance, professional growth, and timely delivery.
• Oversee project management for product development cycles including prototyping, lab benchmarking, real-world trials, and integration work with OEMs.

Candidate Profile

• Educational background in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, ideally with expertise in fluid dynamics, turbomachinery, pumps, hydraulics, or multiphase flow.
• Proven track record in product management or technical product ownership involving physical and industrial products rather than purely software-based products.
• Experienced in authoring market and product requirement documents and translating them into tangible engineering activities.
• Demonstrated ability in project and program management, including planning, milestone tracking, managing dependencies, mitigating risks, and delivering within hardware development timelines.
• Leadership skills suitable for managing senior engineers, setting both technical and delivery expectations clearly.
• Confidence and credibility when interacting with OEM engineering and commercial teams to discuss technical concepts and business cases.
• Strong written communication skills, capable of producing comprehensive requirements, trial briefs, technical summaries, and customer-focused product descriptions.
• Flexibility to work both on-site in office and lab settings and externally at customer locations, trials, and OEM visits.
• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, or a closely associated discipline is a requirement.