- Field
- Mechanical and design engineering
- Location
- Waterloo, IA
- Work model
- Onsite
- Level
- Manager
- Pay
- $80k to $90k
About the role
The position blends strong people leadership with hands-on technical oversight and close collaboration with manufacturing, sales, quality, and supply chain.
What you would own
- Own product architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms Prioritize and assign engineering work based on production needs, 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 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 by providing 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 resource demands and improve schedule execution Education & Experience Requirements of the Product Design Engineering Manager.
- 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.
Everything above is the hiring company’s own words, with the company name taken out. The name, the team, and the interview steps come with the first conversation.