Product Design Engineering Manager

The Product Design Engineering Manager will lead a team of product design engineers focused on sustaining and improving heavy haul trailer platforms, ensuring manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration with production, sales, service, and operations. This on-site role is based in Waterloo, IA, with a salary range of USD 80,000 - 90,000 per year, and requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of product design engineers supporting ongoing production and existing product lines.
• Oversee product architectures, standards, and the design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms.
• Prioritize engineering activities based on production requirements, product enhancements, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Act as the engineering owner for sustaining engineering, change management, and platform evolution.
• Ensure timely resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.
• Lead design reviews, authorize engineering changes, and supervise product updates.
• Ensure adherence to industry standards and regulations while enhancing durability and safety.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide engineering guidance and technical support to sales, service, and operations teams.
• Maintain and improve engineering documentation, databases, and design tools.
• Support the development of standardized product offerings to improve efficiency.

Requirements

• 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.

Technologies

• CAD tools
• Excel
• Engineering data systems