About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the SVP of Engineering, the Director leads a team of Electrical Engineers who work to design and architect electrical systems, components, and controls for both body and chassis with all powertrains and vehicle configurations. This individual will work with design engineers and managers, for new designs that contribute improvements in reliability, manufacturing and cost reductions. The Director shall assure that product designs, specifications, and labor are maximized to improve the manufacturability at the lowest cost for all products. The Director will work within the Product Development organization and cross functionally across the Blue Bird enterprise to maximize internal and external customer satisfaction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Direct the Electrical and Controls Engineering team across multiple sites.
- Establish goals and objectives for the group and evaluate individual and group performance and projects for quality, safety and reliability.
- Direct the capital spending plan to include recommending capital improvements and preparing business cases.
- Lead launch of new technology and processes, including the next generation electrical architecture.
- Evaluate existing design weaknesses and propose solutions to drive robustness.
- Manage projects from concept to launch.
- Challenge company norms and drive solutions that drive correctness, validation and speed to market.
- Mentor engineers in design of electrical systems, DFMEA, DFM, and create robust electrical design guidelines that will drive improvements in bus quality/warranty.
- Identify field issues and drive root cause and corrective action.
- Partner with Purchasing to develop a technically qualified supply base.
- Lead team to assist the SQ team with PPAP of new harnesses and electrical components.
- Partner with Powertrain team for EV electrical systems development.
- Serve as a technical authority on Electric Vehicles and Electrical Safety.
- Communicate project status weekly to management.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Analytical, balanced, dynamic, methodical approach to problem solving; good work ethic, integrity, and professional conduct
- Significant project management experience and ability to initiate and direct multiple projects simultaneously
- Must demonstrate leadership, conflict resolution and motivational skills, assertiveness, and positive attitude
- Able to develop budgets, and engage in financial planning and cost analysis by estimating production labor and equipment costs
- Excellent organizational skills and a focus on timely delivery of specified deliverables goals and objectives
- Good team and interpersonal skills, along with ability to work with cross-functional teams at all levels of the organization and foster teamwork
- Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to organize and present ideas concisely and clearly
- Ability to analyze complex data sets.
- Experience in CapEx management
- Experience in process development and line balancing techniques
- Competent user of MS Office products including Project
- Broad management expertise across several disciplines within a job family or several different job areas.
- Auto, truck or bus industry experience
- High and low voltage electrical experience
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- BS in Electrical Engineering required
- 15+ years of manufacturing product engineering experience, in auto, truck or bus industry required
- 7+ years of relevant professional leadership experience, required
- All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in engineering, preferred
- PMP Certification and recognized process improvement training (Lean, Six Sigma) preferred.
WE VALUE
- Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
- Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
- Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
- Ability to influence stakeholders
- Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
- Flexible workspaces and work hours to help you unleash the best you.
- Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.
INCLUDES
- Continued Professional Development
- Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching
WORK CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Office and manufacturing facility environment
- Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
- Required wearing of appropriate PPE when in prototype or assembly plant areas
- Frequent computer and telephone use
- Frequent communication with people throughout the day
*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.
All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.
LI-Onsite
Qualifications Education Required High School or better. Bachelors or better. Experience Required Professional leadership experience Manufacturing product engineering experience, in auto, truck or bus industry Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- BS in Electrical Engineering
- 15+ years manufacturing product engineering experience in auto, truck or bus industry
- 7+ years relevant professional leadership experience
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident; authorized to work in the United States
- High and low voltage electrical experience
- Significant project management experience and ability to lead multiple projects
- Experience in CapEx management
- Experience in process development and line balancing techniques
- Competent user of MS Office products including Microsoft Project
- Ability to analyze complex data sets
- Experience mentoring engineers in DFMEA and DFM and creating electrical design guidelines
- Experience with PPAP and new harnesses/electrical components
- Experience with EV electrical systems development and electrical safety
- Master's degree in engineering
- PMP Certification
- Recognized process improvement training (Lean, Six Sigma)
Blue Bird Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Blue Bird and has not been reviewed or approved by Blue Bird.
-
Pay Growth & Progression — The 2024 collective bargaining agreement delivered meaningful wage increases for covered hourly employees, with larger boosts at the lowest pay bands. Subsequent contractual provisions point to a structurally improved earnings path for many production roles.
-
Strong & Reliable Incentives — Overtime availability and profit sharing lift overall earnings potential, particularly in production settings. The contract formalized profit sharing and added financial provisions that enhance variable pay.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Roth option and an employer match is offered, and the union agreement introduced a defined‑contribution retirement plan for covered workers. Company materials indicate employer contributions are part of the total rewards package.
Blue Bird Insights
What We Do
About Us Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,600 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Our Promise We are singularly focused on building and selling school buses that customers want and value. The safety of schoolchildren is at the center of all that we do and we will strive every day, just as we have since our beginning in 1927, to provide an unparalleled and affordable product in terms of safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We will be easy to do business with, responsive to our customers' wants and needs, and provide prompt after-sale support in parts and service through a professional, high-qualified distribution network. Customer satisfaction is our top priority. What We Stand For We come to work every day with one common goal, to design, build, sell and service the world's finest school bus. That's what we do - no distractions, no competing priorities. We are heirs to a rich legacy, one of listening to our customers, embracing their needs, and delivering innovations that lead the market. We commit ourselves to four driving priorities - safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We embody the interests of every child that rides us, every driver that drives us, every service technician that services us and every district that buys us. More than a business, this work is our heritage, and we have been at it since 1927 - that's purpose driven.
