Product Engineering Leader – Marine Propulsion Systems

Boatingindustry; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sideshift is seeking a Product Engineering Leader to own the full engineering lifecycle—from early R&D to production launch and continuous improvement. You’ll lead a cross‑functional team and report directly to the CEO, with a strong focus on hands‑on development and in‑person collaboration at our Ontario facility.

The role emphasizes propulsion and control systems, stage‑gate development, and building a scalable technical roadmap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (or related field) is required.
• 5–10 years of experience in product engineering, systems development, or R&D with leadership of cross‑functional programs.
• Proven track record delivering end‑to‑end physical products, ideally in marine, automotive, or consumer electronics.
• Strong understanding of control systems, integration, and embedded tech.
• Experience with stage‑gate or phase‑gate development frameworks.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, MS Project, Jira, DFMEA, DVP&R, and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead product engineering and R&D for propulsion and control systems.
• Drive design, prototyping, and validation of consumer‑grade electromechanical products.
• Own and evolve the stage‑gate development process from concept to launch.
• Manage multiple projects, budgets, and technical resources to deliver on schedule.
• Partner with Product Strategy, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure scalability and manufacturability.
• Stay close to details—from CAD to system integration—while shaping the bigger picture.
• Report to the CEO and help define the technical roadmap.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

MS Project

Jira

DFMEA

DVP&R

Job description

We’re not looking for a desk-bound manager…
We’re looking for a builder — someone who loves to tinker, sketch, and problem-solve, but who also knows how to lead people and programs from concept to launch. AtSideshift, you’ll take charge of developing our next generation of marine propulsion and control systems, leading projects end-to-end and seeing your work come to life on the water.

About the Role

Sideshift is creating a new, high-impact role for aProduct Engineering Leaderto own the full engineering lifecycle — from early R&D through to production launch and continuous improvement. Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll lead a cross-functional team of internal and external experts and play a key part in shaping our technical direction and product roadmap. This is a highly hands‑on role, and we believe the best collaboration, creativity, and problem‑solving happen in person — so we require you to be onsite at our production facility at least four days per week, working closely with our team and products as they come to life.

What You’ll Do

• Lead product engineering and R&D for Sideshift’s propulsion and control systems.
• Drive design, prototyping, and validation ofconsumer‑grade electromechanical products.
• Own and evolve our stage‑gate development process from concept to launch.
• Manage multiple projects, budgets, and technical resources to deliver on schedule.
• Partner with Product Strategy, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure scalability and manufacturability.
• Stay close to the details — from CAD and testing to system integration — while steering the bigger picture.
• Report directly to the CEO and help define Sideshift’s technical roadmap.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (would consider Electrical, or Mechatronics)
• 5–10 years of experiencein product engineering, systems development, or R&D, including leadership of cross‑functional programs.
• Proven record of deliveringend‑to‑end physical products— ideally in marine, automotive, or consumer electronics.
• Deep understanding of control systems, systems integration, and embedded technologies.
• Experience implementingstage‑gate or phase‑gate development frameworks.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, MS Project, Jira, DFMEA, DVP&R, and related tools.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision‑making skills.
• Familiarity with ABYC, CE, and ISO standards (asset).

Who You Are

• Anatural engineer— hands‑on, curious, and inventive.
• Managerially minded— equally comfortable leading projects and guiding people.
• Ownership‑driven— you take responsibility for outcomes and move ideas into reality.
• Collaborative and grounded— you build trust and clarity across teams.

Why Join Sideshift?

• Lead engineering for an established Canadian company redefining marine controls, performance and user experience.
• Work onsite in Ontario with a team that values innovation, craftsmanship, and accountability.
• Shape a new role with real influence and visibility across the business.
• Be part of a company that rewards initiative and technical excellence.