A Guide to Product Development Jobs: Roles, Skills, Salaries

When you work in product development, your role is to bring better products to the market by overseeing the product life cycle. As a product developer, you must have a strong understanding of product development's creative and technical aspects. Some essential skills include creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong communication. 

Looking through job advertisements, you’ll notice that product jobs often pay very well. Senior product development positions in India can provide compensation as high as ₹23 lakhs [1]. Discover more about this rewarding career.

What are product development jobs?

Product development is the process of creating or improving a new product or service, including its design, testing, and release. The product life cycle may also include controlling cost, quality, and time to market by improving manufacturing or distribution processes. An essential part of product development jobs is ensuring that products are functional, appealing to customers, and profitable. Examples of job titles in product development with their respective base salaries include:

• Product developer: ₹22,00,000

• Product manager: ₹20,00,000

• Product analyst: ₹10,00,000

• Product marketing manager: ₹18,00,000

• User experience (UX) designer: ₹8,54,000

• User interface (UI) designer: ₹6,00,000

• Quality assurance (QA) tester: ₹4,30,749

• Business analyst: ₹8,00,000

*All salary data sourced from Glassdoor India in August 2024; salaries do not include additional forms of compensation like bonuses or profit sharing

Product development job description

Product development jobs can involve improving existing products or developing new ones. These processes include responsibilities such as developing marketing strategies and implementing protocols to ensure product quality. Product development must consider customers' needs and wants and align with the company's ability to source, produce, and market the product.

Product development process

If you are in a product development role, you may have involvement with all four steps of the product development process below:

1. Researching the market

Before you start product development, you must research the target market to ensure demand for your merchandise. It involves surveying potential customers and analysing data to determine if they’ll have the motivation to purchase your product. You’ll also need to uncover how big the opportunity is.

2. Designing the process

Your first step in product development is designing the product. This step involves brainstorming for a new product or ways to improve an existing one. Your design must be functional, aesthetically pleasing, safe, and compliant with relevant regulations.

3. Developing the product

Once the design is complete, it’s time for you to develop the product. It involves developing the manufacturing process, building prototypes, and ensuring products meet all safety and quality standards. Product development can be relatively simple or more complex, involving many iterations in an Agile development environment. 

4. Conducting prototype testing

Once the product is ready, present it to a select group of customers for feedback. Constructive criticism can help improve the product before it goes to market.

Product development industry overview 

The industry will likely grow with new technology like robotics, data analytics, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), changing how companies develop and manufacture products. Jobs for product developers are in demand as businesses strive to introduce new products to the market. Product development is also critical to a company's success, and those who enter this field can expect to find plenty of opportunities for advancement. 

Job outlook for product development

As the world's fastest-growing economy, India has attained an average gross domestic product growth rate of 5.5 per cent over the last ten years [2]. The demand for product development is expected to increase further due to government initiatives such as Make-in-India.

Key skills for product development jobs

As a product development manager, you have many roles. One minute, you might be working on the strategy for a product launch; the next, you might troubleshoot an issue with a product in early development. You'll need robust and diverse competencies to succeed in this type of role. 

Technical skills

You’ll need to be proficient in several technical skills to understand complex technical problems and develop creative product solutions. Some of the technical skills you’ll possess include:

• Conducting market research

• Knowledge of user experience best practices

• Understanding of web/software/product development

• Product design

• Writing technical specs and requirements

Workplace skills

Working in the product development lifecycle, you’ll also need excellent project management skills to juggle multiple products and deadlines. You’ll need to work well under pressure and meet deadlines, which requires excellent workplace skills. Some of the essential workplace skills you need are:

• Strong communication skills

• Critical thinking and analytical skills

• Flexibility

• Customer service

• Leadership and the ability to take initiative

• Problem-solving

• Time management

Education requirements

The education requirements for a product development job vary depending on the industry, company, and even specific title you hold. Generally, product development managers need a relevant degree and several years of experience in their field. To get a feel for the requirements, consider browsing job postings for titles you're interested in. 

Certification programmes and online courses for product development jobs

Product development certification can help you learn the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this career path. It can also help you demonstrate commitment and competencies to stand out amongst other candidates, making you more attractive to potential employers. 

Certification programmes may also provide access to exclusive job opportunities and networking events. The following are some product-related certifications that you might want to consider:

• Product Ideation, Design, and Management Specialisation by the University of Maryland

• Agile Certified Product Manager And Product Owner by AIPMM

• Certified Product Manager Credential by AIPMM

• Certified Product Marketing Manager by AIPMM

• Digital Product Management Specialisation by the University of Virginia

• Pragmatic Institute's Product Management Certification

• Software Product Management Specialisation by the University of Alberta

Start building your product development skills today with Coursera

Product development is an in-demand career with potentially high salaries. You can gain a foundational product development skill set with the University of Virginia's online course, Digital Product Management: Modern Fundamentals. This beginner-friendly course covers modern product management methods, managing new products, and exploring new product ideas. As a part of the Digital Product Management Specialisation, you'll also have the chance to earn a certificate to enhance your resume.