Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

Ethos•Waterloo, IA

About The Position

The Mechanical 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.

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
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

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
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to 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