Engineering Manager – Product Validation

Hendrickson•Canton, OH

23h

About The Position

The Engineering Manager leads the Trailer Division’s Research and Development laboratory, overseeing equipment and personnel to support safe, efficient physical testing and material analysis. The role reviews and approves product validation and qualification reports and works with engineering technical leaders to develop and maintain advanced testing and evaluation technologies that support product development. The manager oversees direct reports, including Engineers, Supervisors, Coordinators, and Technicians. The position ensures laboratory and office safety, manages testing performance and equipment health, leads product testing and validation documentation, and oversees department budgeting and expenditures. It also supports continuous improvement and validation initiatives across Hendrickson divisions. Work is approximately 50% desk and computer work in a temperature-controlled office and 50% in a test laboratory that is heated in winter and fan-cooled in summer. The role involves exposure to research and development and manufacturing settings, as well as the physical demands described in the posting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated industry experience in a technical leadership position.
Demonstrated experience in structural design, including fatigue analysis and life-prediction techniques.
Thorough understanding of engineering fundamentals.
Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to develop hands-on understanding of products and physical testing.
Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis methods and Multi-Body Dynamics.
Highly self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to function in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects with tight schedules.
Ability to lift and maneuver up to 25 pounds, with occasional twisting, reaching, and out-of-position body placement.
Ability to maneuver and guide objects heavier than 25 pounds with assistance from a crane, hoist, or other lifting device.
Ability to drive a powered industrial truck to position test fixtures and samples.
Ability to work on the underside of a Class 8 trailer and use precision tools with fine dexterity to attach sensors to test samples.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection when required.
Ability to perform job tasks in a heated, non-air-conditioned test laboratory.
Ability to remain seated at a computer workstation for data entry for up to a couple of hours at a time.

Nice To Haves

8–10 years of engineering experience in automotive, preferably commercial vehicles, heavy equipment, or a related industry.
Three years of experience supervising technical professionals.
Experience operating multi-axis servo-hydraulic test equipment.

Responsibilities

Ensure safety in the office and laboratory and maintain OSHA VPP Star Certification.
Manage, lead, coach, and support the development of technical professionals.
Develop and review key performance metrics to ensure efficient throughput of testing projects.
Lead structural and dynamic performance testing of current and proposed products.
Lead laboratory evaluation and proving-ground testing.
Manage validation and sign-off documentation supporting product development and product change processes.
Develop the annual department budget and monitor and control labor, material, and capital expenditures.
Perform an annual tax credit review of R&D project hours.
Work with the Test Laboratory Supervisor to maintain equipment health and maximize test-machine uptime.
Collaborate with other Hendrickson Division Validation groups on continuous improvement and Validation Excellence initiatives.
Drive continuous improvement through adoption of more efficient evaluation techniques.
Review and approve product validation and qualification reports.
Manage direct reports, including Engineers, Supervisors, Coordinators, and Technicians.