Product Design Engineering Manager

Job Title: Product Design Engineering Manager

Location: Waterloo, Iowa

Salary: $80-90K plus 15% bonus

Job Summary of the Product Design Engineering Manager: The Product Design Engineering Manager will oversee a team that handles a specific section of standard product offerings in order to assist the production schedule. This role concentrates on ownership, standardization, ongoing enhancement, and lifecycle support of current product platforms, ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable. The position collaborates closely with other Sr. Engineering Managers who supervise sub-teams in the department to ensure consistency, alignment, and efficient execution across the product portfolio, while supporting Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service departments, and occasionally Sales. The goal is to lead and develop staff while being heavily involved in day-to-day operations with regular on-site interaction.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Product Design Engineering Manager:

• Lead, develop, and oversee a team of product design engineers supporting production and existing products
• Manage product architectures, standards, and design intent for heavy haul trailer platforms
• Prioritize and delegate engineering tasks based on production requirements, product enhancements, cost-reduction initiatives, and feedback from the field
• Act as the engineering lead for continuing engineering, product updates, and platform evolution (non-NPD)
• Ensure engineering support for production, including prompt resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to:
• Enhance weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods
• Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality
• Lead and participate in structured design reviews and approve engineering changes
• Oversee ECN/ECO execution to ensure timely, accurate, and well-documented product changes
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT, and internal engineering and quality standards
• Utilize DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to enhance durability, safety, and product reliability
• Promote design-for-manufacturing, design-to-cost, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support sales, service, and operations by providing clear engineering guidance and technical explanations
• Enhance and maintain engineering documentation, databases, and design tools
• Aid in the development and implementation of standard, pre-engineered product offerings to lessen custom engineering demands and enhance schedule performance

Education & Experience Requirements of the Product Design Engineering Manager:

· Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

· Experience in heavy haul trailers, heavy equipment, or fabricated mobile products

· Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing processes

· Demonstrated experience supporting products in production settings

· Practical, hands-on engineering decision-making

· Exceptional problem-solving and root-cause analysis abilities

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Ability to balance cost, performance, manufacturability, and reliability

· Proficiency in CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems