Engineering Manager: Product Engineering

Position Purpose:

Responsible for the leadership of Product and Applications Engineering functions for all major product systems and components of the Trailer Division. Drives technical excellence standards in the design and support of products, applications, VA/VE execution, and continuous improvement.  Management of direct reports consisting of professional-level engineers/designers.

Essential Functions: 

• Collaborate with Product Line Leaders to support the technical needs of the business units.
• Ensures that the efforts of the Product and Applications Engineers are aligned with and meeting the priorities, schedules, metrics, and work standards.
• Provide technical support and oversight of the Business Units engineering execution
• Develops the technical competence and capabilities of the engineering teams
• Drives the innovation and problem-solving processes

• Drives the creation and continuous improvement of best practices for Engineering processes

• Works with customers and production facilities to ensure new and existing products exceed expectations

• Responds to technical customer inquiries related to product specifications, performance, and application

• Manage the creation and release of drawings and design changes relative to new and existing products

• Ensures drawings and specifications meet the fit, form, and function targets of the design requirements

• Drive a robust design FMEA process in alignment with SAE & AIAG standards
• Works closely with R&D to ensure that changes are appropriately specified and validated. Approves design validations.
• Ensure engineering participation in AQP meetings. Clearly communicate design intent, product requirements, specify PPAP requirements, review and approve submissions.
• Review deviations, set appropriate controls/requirements for approval
• Work closely with internal manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and outside suppliers, to obtain the best overall solutions to design problems

• Support the development of Intellectual Property and help manage the associated legal matters
• Create and present material for Management review

Education and Training: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar discipline.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• 8+ years engineering experience in automotive (preferably commercial vehicles), heavy equipment, or related industry is desired.
• Experience in vehicle structural design (preferably heavy or medium duty truck) with exposure to vehicle dynamics, structural analysis, fatigue analysis, and system design preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people, multiple tasks, and meet deadlines required.
• Ability to properly specify, organize, and prioritize work deliverables
• Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills, good organization, and planning skills.
• Strong knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes such as welding, stamping, forming, machining, casting, forging, fasteners, etc. preferred.
• Solid modeling experience using 3D modeling software, PTC Creo preferred.
• Good knowledge of dimensioning and tolerance practices per ANSI Y14.5
• Computer literacy with Windows environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Must have good people skills and be able to develop good working relationships with suppliers, customers, and throughout the Hendrickson organization.

 Physical Demands: 

• Frequent sitting, work at computer for extended periods of time
• Moderate travel as required

Environmental Conditions:

• Office setting
• Exposure to R&D and manufacturing setting

Behavioral Traits: 

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities to efficiently meet deadlines
• Must be detail-oriented
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and complete tasks within demanding time frames with minimal supervision.
• Strong numeric, analytical, and mechanical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, ask questions for clarification, and take initiative
• Must be able to work effectively in a team
• Strong numeric, analytical, and mechanical skills.

*This is not a comprehensive list of duties.  Duties may change without notice in management’s sole discretion.  Hendrickson is an at-will employer, each employee is free to resign at any time, just as Hendrickson is free to terminate employment at any time without cause or notice.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.