Sr. Engineer Manager of Product Design
XL Specialized Trailers · Manchester, IA · 5 days ago
MarketingFull-time
Key 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
- Aid in the development and implementation of standard, pre-engineered product offerings to reduce custom engineering resource demands and improve schedule execution
Required Qualifications
- 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