Product Design Engineering Manager

Product Design Engineering Manager

Company: Confidential - heavy haul trailer manufacturer
Location: Waterloo, IA
Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000 + 15% bonus
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Company

Our client designs and manufactures heavy haul trailer platforms in Waterloo, Iowa.

The Role

The Product Design Engineering Manager leads a team that owns a defined portion of the standard product line in support of the production schedule. The focus is ownership, standardization, continuous improvement and lifecycle support of existing platforms, with designs that are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant and scalable. You will work alongside other senior engineering managers, support Manufacturing, Warranty, Customer Service and occasionally Sales, and stay hands-on with regular on-site engagement.

What You Will Do

• 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 engineering work across production needs, product improvements, cost reduction and field feedback.
• Serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes and platform evolution (non-NPD).
• Resolve design, quality and manufacturability issues rapidly to support production.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to improve weldment, fabrication and assembly methods, and BOM, drawing and release quality.
• Lead design reviews, approve engineering changes, and oversee ECN/ECO execution.
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT and internal engineering and quality standards.
• Apply DFMEA, warranty data and field feedback to improve durability, safety and reliability.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing, design-to-cost and continuous improvement, including standard pre-engineered offerings that reduce custom engineering demand.
• Support sales, service and operations with clear engineering guidance, and maintain engineering documentation and tools.

What You Bring

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