Engineering opportunity
Product Design Engineering Manager
Posted: September 8, 2026
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 is responsible for leading a team that manages a defined portion of standard product offerings to support the production schedule. This role focuses on ownership, standardization, continuous improvement, and lifecycle support of existing product platforms, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable. The role works closely with other Sr. Engineering Managers leading sub-teams within the department to ensure alignment, consistency, and effective execution across the product portfolio, while supporting Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service functions, and occasionally Sales. This position is expected to manage and develop people while remaining highly tactical and hands-on with regular on-site engagement. The position blends strong people leadership with hands-on technical oversight and close collaboration with manufacturing, sales, quality, and supply chain.
Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Product Design Engineering Manager:
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 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
Location: Waterloo, Iowa
Salary: $80-90K plus 15% bonus
Job Summary of the Product Design Engineering Manager: The Product Design Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a team that manages a defined portion of standard product offerings to support the production schedule. This role focuses on ownership, standardization, continuous improvement, and lifecycle support of existing product platforms, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable. The role works closely with other Sr. Engineering Managers leading sub-teams within the department to ensure alignment, consistency, and effective execution across the product portfolio, while supporting Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service functions, and occasionally Sales. This position is expected to manage and develop people while remaining highly tactical and hands-on with regular on-site engagement. The position blends strong people leadership with hands-on technical oversight and close collaboration with manufacturing, sales, quality, and supply chain.
Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Product Design Engineering Manager:
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 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