Design Engineering Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Manage Design Engineering for Kelvion Knoxville product lines, including Core RT, BPHE & other. Oversee the full lifecycle of engineered-to-order heat exchanger solutions, ensuring robust design execution, technical excellence, and alignment with manufacturing and commercial requirements. Partner closely with ERP and cross-functional teams to support accurate quoting, efficient order execution, and on-time delivery of customized customer solutions that meet performance, cost and quality targets.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Work with Global Engineering teams to understand product standards, design tools, and best practices to increase local design autonomy and reduce reliance on centralized European support.

• Manage Design Engineers and Design Supervisor supporting Knoxville product lines.

• Drive design excellence through implementation of Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) principles.

• Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with plant capabilities.

• Partner with Order Management and Commercial teams to support accurate, timely quotes and engineered-to-order solutions.

• Establish and manage department goals, KPIs and Objectives & Key Results (OKRs); cascade expectations to team members and ensure accountability.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on design cycle time, drawing release accuracy, and engineering productivity.

• Ensure timely execution of all design deliverables aligned to project phase gates and customer commitments.

• Oversee creation of 3D models, assemblies, and 2D production drawings using Autodesk Inventor (or equivalent CAD tools).

• Ensure all drawings include complete dimensions, tolerances, materials, and manufacturing notes required for production.

• Maintain and enforce drafting standards, engineering practices, and document control procedures.

• Oversee engineering data integrity within ERP systems, including Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).

• Ensure alignment between as-designed BOMs and as-sold configurations, supporting cost accuracy and margin expectations.

• Drive standardization and reuse of designs where applicable to improve efficiency and reduce engineering hours.

• Facilitate cross-functional design reviews with Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain for new and revised products.

• Support prototype development, validation, and testing as required for new product introductions or design changes.

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and internal quality management system requirements.

• Develop team capabilities through coaching, training, and technical mentorship in design tools, standards, and product knowledge.

• Manage Design to Cost (DtC) reduction initiatives through design optimization, material selection, and standardization.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions related to design issues, field failures, or quality concerns.

• Maintain organized engineering file systems and ensure data accuracy, revision control, and accessibility.

• Perform all activities in accordance with company policies, safety standards, and quality requirements.

And other duties as assigned.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 

• To ensure Kelvion’s Standard of Excellence, which includes quality, is incorporated into every product we produce. 
• Follow all company policies and procedures, including but not limited to Global Code of Business Principles, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Vision and Values, Operational Framework

REQUIREMENTS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES)

• Good technical writing and communication skills essential. 
• Must be able to effectively facilitate personnel at remote production facilities. 
• Computer skill with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) is required. 
• A high skill level in Inventor CAD system. +Inventor Vault PDM

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (required levels)

• BS degree in Engineering or Technology or comparable years’ experience.
• Ten years’ related experience. 
• Highly experienced with Autodesk Inventor + Inventor Vault
• Proven history of leading technical staff
• Experience in Supervising employees
• Experience with Syteline, SAP, or other ERP System

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; reach with hands, arms, and shoulders. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee occasionally will be required hand lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.