---
title: 'Floe - Associate Product Engineer at 43North'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/floe-associate-product-engineer-43north-buffalo-fg07ahqeeksj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Floe - Associate Product Engineer at 43North

- **Company:** 43North
- **Location:** Buffalo
- **Compensation:** $50k–$70k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-04-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.gem.com/43north/am9icG9zdDr3PpK4B6G4rq8cFHM77Zc9

## Job description

About Floe: Floe is a rapidly growing startup that has developed the smart, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution for managing hazardous ice and snow on roofs and around the building envelope. Compared to existing solutions, our automated system safely and effectively addresses dangerous buildup while reducing operating costs by >40% and carbon emissions by >99%.

Originally spun out of MIT and Yale and tested with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Floe has been validated at dozens of sites in some of the world’s harshest winter environments. Our technology is trusted by major national retailers, state governments, and large commercial and residential property owners across the US and Canada.

As we scale rapidly and expand into new verticals, we are building a team of talented, mission-driven people who value impact, precision, and integrity. Our team thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment and has an excellent results-oriented track record. We are eager to recruit individuals who are driven, thoughtful problem-solvers and who bring diverse perspectives to our mission.

About the Role: Floe is looking for an exceptional Associate Product Engineer  to work across the full product lifecycle, from design and prototyping to manufacturing and field deployment.

This is a highly hands-on role focused on product development, design iteration, prototyping, testing, and continuous improvement. You will work closely with engineering leadership on design changes, new product R&D, validation testing, and field support, with direct exposure to real-world system performance. As Floe expands its in-house capabilities in Buffalo, you will also occasionally support manufacturing operations, product builds, and process development.

This role sits at the unique intersection of product engineering and real-world deployment, where design decisions directly impact manufacturability, reliability, and customer outcomes. The successful candidate will have strong potential to grow into a Product Engineer or Manufacturing Lead role as the company scales.

Responsibilities: Product Development & Testing

- Support product design, prototyping, and R&D initiatives in collaboration with engineering leadership
- Create and modify CAD models, assemblies, and technical drawings
- Build and test prototypes, fixtures, and validation units
- Plan and execute engineering tests to validate performance and reliability
- Analyze field issues and test results to drive design improvements

Manufacturing & Product Improvement

- Improve manufacturability and assembly efficiency through design iteration (DFM)
- Help define assembly workflows, tooling, and workstation setups
- Develop SOPs, build procedures, and technical documentation
- Support quality control processes, checklists, and traceability systems

Field Deployment & Feedback

- Collaborate with engineering and customer teams to support deployed systems
- Travel occasionally to deployment sites to assist with installation, troubleshooting, and validation
- Use field data and observations to inform product and design improvements

Hands-On Build & Operations Support

- Assist occasionally with product assembly, including mechanical integration, wiring, and system setup
- Perform functional testing, troubleshooting, and refurbishment of systems
- Maintain build records to support certification and compliance efforts

Shop & Inventory Operations

- Operate and maintain common shop tools and light fabrication equipment
- Help maintain an organized, safe, and efficient workspace, including tooling, workstations, and equipment
- Support material procurement, receiving, and inventory management
- Assist with packing, shipping, and general warehouse operations

Cross-Functional Support

- Support pilot deployments, field testing, prototype demonstrations, and product validation efforts
- Contribute to company-wide problem solving across evolving technical and operational needs

Qualifications: Education & Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
- 0–3 years of engineering experience, including internships, co-ops, or significant hands-on project work
- Demonstrated ability to build, troubleshoot, and work with physical systems

Technical Skills

- Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g. OnShape, SolidWorks) for parts, assemblies, and professional drawings
- Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical tools (e.g. soldering, basic machining)
- Familiarity with testing, validation, and debugging methods
- Ability to read and create technical documentation, drawings, and procedures
- Understanding of programming fundamentals. Specific experience with languages such as C++ or Python is a plus
- Experience with DFM, tolerance analysis, or manufacturing processes is a plus

Problem-Solving & Working Style

- Strong hands-on troubleshooting and practical problem-solving ability
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to identify risks and inefficiencies and propose improvements
- Eagerness to work in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment
- Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and integrity
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Willingness to travel occasionally to support field, R&D, and deployment-related activities
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs

This is an in-person position based in Buffalo, NY. Compensation for this role will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and location.

How to Apply: (Important)

Please send a resume and a short note describing your interest and relevant experiences to recruiting@floesafe.com. If available, please also include 1–2 examples of products, systems, or projects you have worked on.

Floe Inc is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. The company shall not discriminate against any applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment or engagement.

## About 43North

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 43North is a nonprofit organization that runs an annual startup competition and accelerator in Buffalo, NY, investing $5 million each year in high-growth companies to build the local tech ecosystem.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Nonprofit)
- **Headquarters**: Buffalo, New York, United States
- **Founded**: 2014
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Startup ecosystem development, venture capital / accelerator, talent placement
- **Target customers**: Seed-stage startups (B2B), investors, job seekers looking to work at startups in Buffalo
- **Mission or purpose**: To help founders grow their companies, create jobs, attract capital, and contribute to Buffalo’s growing startup ecosystem

## Products & Services
- **43North Competition**: Annual startup competition awarding $5 million in funding to high-growth companies selected through a rigorous application process. Includes an immersive accelerator program.
- **43North Compass**: A job board and talent network that connects candidates with open roles at 43North portfolio companies and other Buffalo startups. Also allows recruiters to search a database of thousands of pre-vetted startup candidates.
- **Investor Network**: A network connecting portfolio companies with venture capital firms and angel investors, including co-investors like Bessemer, Iconiq Capital, and Rise of the Rest.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of ~$2.8M (per LinkedIn). Total funding awarded to portfolio companies since 2014: $51.5M. Portfolio companies have raised over $1B in total investment and created 3,000+ jobs globally (over 1,000 in Buffalo). 12 exits (11 acquisitions, 1 IPO). (Source: LinkedIn)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Empire State Development (primary funder), Bessemer Venture Partners, Iconiq Capital, Rise of the Rest. Community partners include Larkin Square and various Buffalo-based organizations.
- **Growth Signals**: Despite the accelerator concluding in 2027 (final competition year 2026), the newly formed 43North Foundation plans to invest $100 million over the next 10 years to continue strengthening Buffalo’s startup ecosystem. 60% of portfolio companies maintain a presence in Western New York. (Source: LinkedIn)

## Competitive Advantages
- Unique as a nonprofit that combines a grant/equity competition with an accelerator, talent marketplace, and investor network.
- Deeply rooted in Buffalo, leveraging state funding and community partnerships to create a self-reinforcing ecosystem.
- Proven track record: 79 companies funded, $1B+ raised, 12 exits, and established salary premium (average portfolio company salary ~$90k, $30k above regional average).
- Access to a curated talent pool (4,000+ candidates in Compass network) that understands startup culture.

## Strategic Focus
- 2026 is the final year of the 43North competition. The organization is now transitioning to the 43North Foundation, which will deploy $100M over the next decade to support Buffalo’s startup ecosystem through grants, programming, and ecosystem building.
- Continued emphasis on filling high-impact roles at portfolio companies via Compass and growing the local talent pipeline.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission**: Directly contribute to building a thriving startup hub in Buffalo, with visible community impact.
- **Culture**: Small, passionate team of ~26 employees. Strong sense of purpose and collaboration. Team members include former founders, investors, and ecosystem builders.
- **Work Environment**: Based in downtown Buffalo at 1 W Seneca St. Hybrid/remote policy is not specified, but the team appears to be largely in-office or Buffalo-based. LinkedIn shows 26 employees all in the U.S.
- **Compensation**: Portfolio company roles average ~$90k salary, significantly above the regional average. For the 43North team itself, specific perks are not publicly detailed.
- **Growth**: Opportunity to work across investments, platform, talent, and marketing while directly influencing the success of dozens of startups.
- **Job Seekers**: The Compass job board lists openings at portfolio companies (e.g., Customer Experience Analyst, Director of Data Engineering, Account Manager, Electrical Engineer). These roles give access to high-growth startups with established traction and funding.

## Sources
1. [43north.org](https://43north.org/who-we-are/careers/) – Career page describing 43North Compass and talent network
2. [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/43north) – Company overview, financials, recent news, impact metrics, and team size
3. [43north.org](https://43north.org/who-we-are/team-and-board/) – Leadership team and roles (Nicole Camarre, Colleen Heidinger, etc.)
4. [jobs.43north.org](https://jobs.43north.org/jobs) – Job board for portfolio companies (featured roles, hiring rounds)

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