Skip the $50k engineering bill. On Target Design & MFG builds real, precision-engineered prototypes so you can validate your idea before you bet the farm on full production.
You have an idea for a new product. You believe in it. You want to see it come to life.
But before you sink $50k or more into engineering drawings that may never translate into something real, stop and consider this:
That's what we do at On Target Design.
We take your idea and build it into a functional, physical prototype early so you can actually see if it works before you scale. You validate. You refine. You improve. Then you invest in the rest with confidence, not hope.
Most entrepreneurs never get this chance. They get stuck with drawings, confused about next steps, and drained of capital before they even know if their product functions.
You don't have to be one of them.
Free engineering consultation. Free quote. Lower upfront cost than almost anyone in the industry.
Claim Your Free ConsultationWhether you're an inventor with an idea, an entrepreneur with a prototype that won't scale, or an established company whose product needs a serious overhaul this is exactly where you should be.
You have an idea and you want to see it come to life without blowing your savings on drawings that go nowhere
You want to hold a working prototype in your hands before committing to expensive engineering or manufacturing
You are tired of being stuck with a stack of drawings and no clear idea of what to do next
You want to validate your product, refine it, and prove it works before you scale
You need a single partner who handles everything from concept to prototype to production with no gaps
You want to invest in the rest of your product's development with confidence, not hope
"We work with companies like Abbott Labs, Black & Decker, Philips Medical, and the U.S. Military and we bring the same precision, urgency, and accountability to every client we take on, regardless of size."
On Target Design & MFG is not a design agency. We're not a consulting firm. We're an end-to-end engineering operation that takes your product from concept to shelf and we do it under one roof.
Chris Baker is a Mechanical Engineer, Product and Machine Designer, and CEO of On Target Design and MFG LLC and First Step Automation. What makes Chris different from nearly every other engineering consultant isn't just his credentials it's his ability to take your idea all the way from concept to physical reality under one roof.
Chris's engineering career spans decades and reaches the highest levels of both government and industry. He worked on the Star Wars Program under the Reagan Administration, and has since brought that same level of precision and expertise to clients like Philips Medical, Abbott Labs, Autosplice, the U.S. Navy, and Heineken. He has also worked with solo inventors to bring products to shelves at Target, Home Depot, and QVC.
"I'm passionate about turning ideas into market-ready products. I have experience in every stage of the development process and I'd love to help bring your idea to life."
Five core service areas, one integrated engineering team. We handle the full lifecycle so you're never stuck managing disconnected vendors.
Custom-designed products and machines built to your exact specifications from initial concept through manufacturing-ready drawings.
We guide first-time inventors and entrepreneurs from raw idea to viable prototype, navigating the engineering and business landscape together.
Already have a product? We'll identify performance gaps, reduce manufacturing cost, and improve market-readiness without starting from scratch.
Advanced factory automation and custom tooling that reduces cycle times, cuts labor costs, and scales your manufacturing operation reliably.
We assess patentability, prepare technical documentation, and develop strategies to protect your intellectual property before and after launch.
When you work with On Target, you don't just get engineering services. You get a team that's invested in the long-term success of your product.
We assess your concept, identify engineering challenges, and outline a clear development path before you commit to anything.
Before your project scope is finalized, we review whether your invention is worth protecting and what that protection strategy looks like.
You work directly with Chris, the engineer behind every project. No junior hand-offs, no account managers as middlemen, no surprises.
Working in healthcare, agriculture, defense, or consumer goods? We know the compliance landscape and design with it in mind from day one.
Every project we take on is held to the highest standard of engineering quality. We don't cut corners, we don't hand your project off to someone less qualified, and we don't stop caring once the deposit clears.
We are also committed to being the most cost effective option for inventors and entrepreneurs. You shouldn't have to drain your savings just to find out if your idea works. We keep our rates reasonable because we believe great engineering should be accessible, not a luxury reserved for big companies with big budgets.
You have an idea, a product, or a process that needs engineering expertise. On Target Design & MFG has been solving exactly these challenges for over 19 years for Fortune 500 companies, solo inventors, the U.S. military, and everyone in between.
Stop settling for vendors who hand off your project. Work directly with Chris Baker, an engineer who treats your timeline, your budget, and your invention like his own.
Request Your Free ConsultationDon't take our word for it. Here's what inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners say after working with Chris.
On Target Design and MFG LLC transformed our concept into a fully functional product. Their expertise and attention to detail were instrumental in launching our successful line. Highly recommend their team for anyone needing innovative design and reliable manufacturing.
We've worked with several design firms, but none compare to On Target. Their team not only redesigned our product to improve performance but also guided us through the patent process. Their professionalism and dedication made a real difference.
Thanks to On Target's automation solutions, our manufacturing process became faster and more efficient. Their tooling and robotics expertise helped us reduce costs and increase output without sacrificing quality. A true partner in our growth.
There are plenty of design shops and engineering consultants. What makes On Target different isn't marketing it's the work.
Design, prototyping, tooling, automation, and patent support all coordinated by the same engineering team. No vendor fragmentation, no communication failures, no accountability gaps.
Chris has built systems for Abbott Labs, Procter & Gamble, and the U.S. Military and brings that exact standard of precision to your product regardless of your company size.
We've watched other firms charge inventors for unnecessary iterations. We tell you the truth upfront, protect your IP, and build only what actually moves your product forward.
Healthcare devices, agricultural equipment, defense systems, consumer goods, factory automation our engineering principles translate across domains because physics doesn't care what industry you're in.
We're highly selective about the projects we take on. We want every engagement to result in a successful product which means being honest about fit.
Start with a free engineering consultation. We'll review your concept, idea, sketch, or existing product and give you an honest assessment of the engineering path forward no commitment required. You can book through our contact page or call us at (619) 572-3202.
That's exactly where many of our clients start. We can work from a concept, a sketch, a patent filing, or even just a clear description of the problem you're trying to solve. The design process is collaborative, and we'll help you shape the idea into something buildable.
Both. We've worked with Fortune 500 companies like Abbott Labs and Procter & Gamble, as well as early-stage entrepreneurs. What matters isn't the size of your company it's the seriousness of your project and your commitment to seeing it through.
Timeline depends heavily on the complexity of the product. Book a free consultation and we can give you a much clearer picture of what to expect for your specific project.
Every project begins with a confidentiality agreement. Beyond that, our patent viability and securement service helps you identify whether your invention qualifies for patent protection and guides you through the documentation needed to pursue it. We treat your IP as our most important asset to protect.
We've delivered projects across healthcare, agriculture, consumer products, defense, power tools, factory automation, and more. Our engineering principles are industry-agnostic if it involves precision design and manufacturing, we can help.
We handle both sides. Our core strength is engineering design, prototyping, and preparing your product for production. We also offer manufacturing support tooling, automation, and production fixture design and can work with your preferred manufacturer or help you identify one.
We're based in Chula Vista, CA (San Diego area). Book a free consultation and we can discuss how best to work together based on your location and project needs.