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 Manager, Process Control Group, this role will serve as the critical bridge between the dealer requested body and seat plan configurations and final production. You are responsible for turning dealer requests into detailed, manufacturable vehicles that meet stringent safety and performance standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Technical Specification & Drafting: Create detailed 2D drawings of bus body and seat configurations such as exterior and interior layouts using software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or 3DX when required.
- Feasibility & Optimization: Review initial requests to identify and resolve potential manufacturing and/or spec issues, ensuring units can be produced.
- Prototyping & Testing: Work with engineering on the creation of prototypes and testing.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering, quality assurance, sales, and production teams to troubleshoot production and customer issues and implement design improvements.
- Vendor & Supply Coordination: Work closely with external suppliers to create seat plan kits that are outside of the Blue Bird systems.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Software Mastery: Some proficiency in CAD systems (e.g., AutoCAD, NX, 3DX, Inventor) and high proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Familiarity with the product lifecycle management (PLM) tools, Blue Birds internal systems such as the ordering system, and options database.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of the school bus body design and seat installation.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to perform complex mathematical computations and analyze technical data to prevent and resolve any production, sales, and engineering issues.
- Compliance Expertise: Familiarity with industry-specific safety standards. (FMVSS/CMVSS)
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- High school diploma or equivalent with degree in Industrial Engineering Design or a related technical field preferred.
- 2+ Years experience as a product or part designer, required
- All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
WE VALUE
- Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance and resolutions
- 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 environment and production environment
- Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
- Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
- Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
- You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
- Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
- 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. Experience Required Experience as a product or parts designer. 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
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Degree in Industrial Engineering Design or related technical field
- 2+ years experience as a product or part designer
- Proficiency in CAD systems (AutoCAD, NX, 3DX, Inventor, SolidWorks)
- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Familiarity with PLM tools and internal ordering/options systems
- Strong understanding of school bus body design and seat installation
- Familiarity with industry safety standards (FMVSS/CMVSS)
- Ability to perform complex mathematical computations and analyze technical data
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident (authorized to work in the U.S.)
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.
