What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineering Manager position at Innovation First International, Inc.?
POSITION SUMMARY | In-Person Position | Greenville, Texas
We are seeking a hands-on, high-energy Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead our mechanical design and product development team for the VEX Robotics division. In this role, you will bridge technical design expertise with functional team leadership. You will manage a team of mechanical engineers and designers developing injection-molded plastics, metal structures, gears, structural motion components, and consumer/educational robotics hardware.
The ideal candidate brings strong fundamentals in high-volume product manufacturing (DFM/DFA), 3D CAD modeling, structural analysis, and a passion for mentoring engineers while keeping complex multi-project lifecycles on schedule.
VEX Robotics is a global leader in STEM education and competitive robotics solutions. We create products that inspire the innovators of tomorrow—ranging from classroom educational kits to advanced robotics hardware used in world-renowned competitions. As part of Innovation First International, our team designs, manufactures, and supports high-volume, durable, and intuitive electromechanical hardware used by millions of students, educators, and engineers worldwide.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Team Leadership & People Management
- Manage, mentor, and grow a team of mechanical engineers and CAD designers, fostering a collaborative, innovation-driven culture.
- Conduct performance reviews, establish clear individual and team goals, and provide ongoing technical and professional guidance.
- Resource balance across active product pipelines to match business priorities and delivery timelines.
Technical Leadership & Product Development
- Direct the mechanical engineering lifecycle from concept generation, prototyping, and detailed 3D CAD design through mass production.
- Establish and/or direct engineering best practices for Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Reliability (DFR).
- Conduct and lead formal mechanical design reviews, tolerance stack-up analyses, FEA simulations, and FMEA risk assessments.
- Oversee key mechanical domains: injection molding, die casting, sheet metal fabrication, gearing systems, drive trains, and dynamic structural components.
- Ensure products meet safety, durability, and compliance standards suitable for K-12 and collegiate user environments.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution
- Partner closely with Electrical Engineering, Software/Firmware, Firmware/QA, and Industrial Design teams to integrate mechanical hardware with electronics and control systems.
- Work with offshore and domestic suppliers, toolmakers, and internal manufacturing teams to approve tooling, inspect first-article samples, and troubleshoot production issues.
- Interface directly with product managers and executive leadership to align engineering roadmaps with business strategy and project budgets.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
- 8 years of professional mechanical engineering experience taking consumer products, educational hardware, or electromechanical devices from concept to high-volume mass production
- 3 years in a leadership or direct supervisory role managing mechanical engineering teams
- Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to summarize complex technical challenges
- Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, etc.), physical testing setups, and failure analysis
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or engineering management
- Prior background in robotics or educational hardware products
- Personal or professional familiarity with VEX Robotics hardware ecosystems (VEX IQ, VEX V5, V5 Workcell, VEX GO, etc.)
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Salary based on experience
- Free $25,000 Employee Life/AD&D Insurance
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life/AD&D, Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness Insurance plan options
- 401(k) with 4% company match
- Paid vacation time
- Free lunch catered daily
Innovation First International provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Salary : $25,000