Manager of Product Design Engineering

The Product Design Engineering Manager will lead a team of product design engineers responsible for sustaining and enhancing product offerings. This on-site role in Waterloo, Iowa focuses on maintaining product architecture and design intent for heavy haul trailer platforms, while ensuring designs remain manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable through the product lifecycle.

Role Overview

You will serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution (non-NPD). The position includes prioritizing and assigning engineering work based on production needs, product improvements, cost reduction goals, and field feedback, with frequent collaboration across engineering and operations teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of product design engineers supporting production and in-market products
• Own product architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms
• Prioritize and assign engineering work based on production requirements, product improvements, cost-reduction initiatives, and field feedback
• Serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution (non-NPD)
• Ensure engineering support for production, including rapid resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to 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
• Apply DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to improve durability, safety, and product reliability
• Drive design-for-manufacturing, design-to-cost, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support sales, service, and operations with clear engineering guidance and technical explanations
• Maintain and improve engineering documentation, databases, and design tools
• Assist with development and implementation of standard, pre-engineered product offerings to reduce custom engineering effort and improve schedule execution

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Experience in heavy haul trailers, heavy equipment, or fabricated mobile equipment
• Strong background in mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing processes
• Proven experience supporting products in production environments
• Practical, hands-on engineering judgment
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to balance cost, performance, manufacturability, and reliability
• Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems

Technology & Tools

• CAD tools
• Excel
• ECN/ECO
• DFMEA

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: USD 80,000 - 90,000 per year
• Bonus: 15%

Location

Waterloo, IA (onsite)