The aim of this paper is to present a model that takes into account aspects related to manufacturing engineering in research and development projects. The proposed model integrates the tools of DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) and MRL (Manufacturing Readiness Level).Design for Manufacturing and Assembly is used as a method to provide guidance to the design team in simplifying the product structure, to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs, and to quantify improvements. Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) is a measure to assess the maturity of manufacturing readiness, similar to how Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are used for technology readiness. The proposed method was applied in a research and development project at a refrigeration industry, in its technology definition phase. The results were a significant change in product design, bringing benefits as reduction of investment and product cost by 25% and 20%. Is also possible perceive that the anticipation of the manufacturing project, when working simultaneously with the technology maturation is allowing the most reliable debugging at a product, permitting a reduction in the lead time.