Sr. Engineer Manager of Product Design

About the Role

The Sr. Engineer Manager of Product Design leads a team responsible for a defined portion of XL's standard product offerings, focusing on ownership, standardization, continuous improvement, and lifecycle support of existing trailer platforms. This role ensures designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable while working closely with other engineering leaders, manufacturing, sales, quality, and supply chain. The position blends strong people leadership with hands-on technical oversight and requires regular on-site engagement.

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 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.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build a culture of accountability, practical engineering judgment, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop engineers in technical skills, standards, and problem-solving.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and Service.

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.

Key Competencies

• 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.

Work Environment

Combination of office and shop-floor support. Primarily on-site with limited travel as needed.

Location: Manchester, IA (On-site). Reports to: Sr. Director of Engineering.