Canton, MI  ·  Contract Engineering  ·  NPD & RFQ/RFP

PRECISION
ENGINEERING
BUILT TO SPEC

Boutique product development for clients who can't afford to iterate twice.

ChessTrees Labs is an engineering firm available for contract engagements, RFQ/RFP partnerships, and new product development programs. We specialize in electro-mechanical systems, full lifecycle NPD, and international manufacturing coordination — bringing senior-level engineering leadership directly to your project.

19%→<5%
Return Rate Reduction
Delivered for Client
62+
Products Engineered
Across Programs
5
Granted Patents
in Portfolio
3
Continents of
Manufacturing Experience
What We Do

Core Capabilities

Electro-Mechanical Design

CAD, FEA, and hardware architecture for complex mechanical and electro-mechanical systems. From concept sketches to production-ready drawings — built to your tolerances.

New Product Development

Full NPD/NPI lifecycle ownership: market analysis, architecture decisions, EVT/DVT/PVT test planning, supplier engagement, and manufacturing handoff. No scope gaps.

Rapid Prototyping

FDM, SLA, and SLS 3D printing, subtractive machining, and embedded systems (Arduino, ESP32, KiCad) for fast-cycle validation before committing to tooling.

Manufacturing Coordination

International supplier negotiation, SOW definition, quality management, and manufacturing relocation. Proven experience across US, China, Hong Kong, and EU markets.

Systems Engineering

Requirements definition, traceability, and cross-functional alignment across hardware, software, product, and operations. Lean Six Sigma certified process discipline.

AI-Augmented Engineering

AI-assisted PRD/ERD validation, domain-specific review agents, and automated requirements pipelines — reducing cycle time and catching gaps before they become problems.

AI-Augmented Engineering

Accelerate with AI

Accelerate prototyping, reduce cost, and iterate faster using modern AI tools.

We integrate AI into engineering workflows — not as a buzzword, but as a practical multiplier. PRD validation agents, AI-assisted patent analysis, automated spec review, and rapid concept generation. See how we've applied this for real inventors and products.

See Real‑World Examples →
AI Impact Metrics
Cycle Time
−80%
Spec Gaps Caught
+70%
Cost per Task
−90%
Design Variants
10×
How We Work

The Engagement Model

01
Discovery & Scope

Submit your RFQ/RFP or project brief. We respond within 48 hours with clarifying questions and a preliminary scope assessment.

02
Proposal & Agreement

We deliver a detailed proposal with deliverables, timeline, and pricing. SOW defined with clear acceptance criteria before work begins.

03
Execution & Review

Milestone-based delivery with regular touchpoints. Design reviews, test reports, and documentation included at each gate.

04
Handoff & Support

Complete design package, manufacturing files, and validation data. Post-handoff support available for production launch and field issues.

Why ChessTrees Labs

Senior-Level Execution
Without the Overhead

Most contract engineering firms bill junior hours at senior rates. ChessTrees Labs brings 15+ years of hands-on engineering leadership directly to your program — the same expertise that reduced a client's defect rate from 19% to under 5% and relocated manufacturing within six months.

We take on focused engagements where we can deliver measurable outcomes — not open-ended retainers. If your project needs experienced engineering leadership from day one, let's talk.

Start the Conversation
19→5%
Field return rate reduction on a 100,000+ unit consumer electronics product through hardware redesign and supply chain relocation.
$4
Unit cost reduction ($26 → $22) on same program, achieved simultaneously with quality improvement within 6 months.
62+
Products engineered across consumer electronics programs spanning robotic pool cleaners, pumps, and battery-powered submersible tools.
5
Granted patents across US, AU, and EU — covering power systems, water treatment, and mechanical hardware innovations.
Work With Us

Start an Engagement

For Clients
Submit an RFQ / RFP

Tell us about your project. We respond within 48 hours with a scope assessment or clarifying questions.

Inquiry Received

We'll review your project brief and respond within 48 hours with a scope assessment or follow-up questions.

For Engineers
Join the Team

We're building. If you're an engineer who wants to work on focused, high-impact contract programs — tell us about yourself.

Application Received

Thanks for reaching out. We'll review your background and follow up when there's a fit with an active engagement.