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
The Chassis Design Engineering Manager oversees and coordinates the daily operations of the Chassis Engineering Design group to ensure the team supports current production needs, while developing and deploying future programs in support of corporate strategy and initiatives. The Chassis Engineering Manager is responsible for ensuring that product designs are robust, cost effective, manufacturable, and comply with applicable regulations. This position will directly supervise a team of salaried design engineers and manage development activities across multiple concurrent projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the Chassis Engineering Design group in forward model development activities for all ICE powertrain and chassis systems for the school bus product. This includes requirements development, design activities, BOM creation, validation and product launch.
- Act as technical subject matter lead for ICE powertrain and emissions technology
- Maintain knowledge of new trends, developments, technologies, materials, and best practices; apply this knowledge to continually improve product designs and production efficiency
- Review engineering drawings and projects for technical accuracy and feasibility
- Establish system level requirements and DFMEA and develop robust validation plans for each vehicle platform
- Collaborate with other functions in Blue Bird to deliver new projects at quality targets, to budget constraints and on time.
- Lead the team in on-going issue resolution, quality improvements and cost optimization activities.
- Develop team which includes coaching, goal setting and performance evaluation and feedback
- Deliver solutions that meet program goals, all applicable specifications and quality expectations.
- Ensure designs meet all applicable Federal, state, and customer requirements.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Excellent written and oral technical communication skills.
- Experienced in engineering tools including DFMEA, 8D problem solving, RTVM, Interface Diagrams.
- Experience working in a vehicle manufacturing facility on new product introductions and on-going issue resolution.
- Formal Root Cause Analysis Training (Shanin, Blackbelt, Fishbone tools) is a plus
- Experience working with suppliers on product design, feasibility, quality improvement and cost reduction.
- Fundamental understanding of engineering development and design release processes.
- Outstanding work ethic; motivational leadership style.
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
- 10+ years of automotive, commercial truck or bus engineering experience, required
- 2+ years of Engineering Supervisor experience
- 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
- M.S. in Engineering, preferred
- Prior experience with vehicle chassis or powertrain design and integration
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.
- 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 environment
- Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
- Frequent computer and telephone use
- Frequent communication with people throughout the day
- Occasional travel to customers or suppliers
*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 Bachelors or better. Experience Required Engineering Supervisor experience Automotive, commercial truck or bus engineering experience, required 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
- Bachelor's degree in engineering
- 10+ years of automotive, commercial truck, or bus engineering experience
- 2+ years of engineering supervisor experience
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Authorization to work in the United States and proof of employment eligibility
- Experience with DFMEA, 8D problem solving, RTVM, and Interface Diagrams
- Experience working in a vehicle manufacturing facility on new product introductions and issue resolution
- Experience working with suppliers on product design, feasibility, quality improvement, and cost reduction
- Understanding of engineering development and design release processes
- Formal root cause analysis training
- Master's degree in engineering
- Experience with vehicle chassis or powertrain design and integration
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
