Chief Engineer

JOST International; Grand Haven (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

JOST International is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead a team in designing and delivering advanced landing gear and kingpin solutions. The role requires hands‑on project leadership from concept through execution and reports to the Vice President of Engineering.

The ideal candidate will have a strong mechanical engineering background, 8+ years in design or product engineering, and experience guiding multi‑discipline teams through design reviews, validation, and manufacturing integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in design and/or product engineering, with leadership experience.
• Experience with manufacturing processes, fatigue analysis, testing and validation.
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver results in a collaborative environment.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills.
• Experience with product lifecycle management and design for manufacturability is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor engineers in design and deployment of landing gear and kingpin projects.
• Oversee planning, execution and performance of engineering efforts aligned to strategy.
• Collaborate with product management, quality and manufacturing to define requirements.
• Drive design and development ensuring functionality, reliability and scalability.
• Support validation activities including test planning and data correlation.

Skills

Engineering Leadership

Mechanical Design

Project Management

Mechatronics

Fatigue Analysis

FEA/CAE

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

FEA

CAE

Job description

JOST International began as a small business in the early 1980s, where we submitted the patent application for the very first steel cast fifth wheel coupling. Since our start in Grand Haven, Michigan, JOST International has grown to become a world market leader for fifth wheels and landing gear and an international supplier for the commercial trucking industry.

Though we’ve grown through the years, JOST International is proud to retain the same values and principles that launched our business decades ago — a dedication to safety and continuous innovation, and above all, a close relationship with our customers and our employees.

Jost International is a leading Tier 1 supplier in the automotive industry, specializing in innovative solutions for the commercial truck, trailer, and agriculture markets. Our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement has established us as a trusted partner to OEMs and major industry players.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Chief Engineer to lead a team in the design, development, and deployment of innovative engineering solutions. This role requires a strong technical background, proven leadership ability, and hands‑on experience managing engineering projects from concept through execution. The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem solver who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about delivering high‑quality products. This position will report to the Vice President of Engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a team of engineers in the design, development, and implementation of complex landing gear and kingpin projects. This includes but is not limited to electric controls, mechatronics and motor/gearbox design.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and performance of engineering efforts, ensuring alignment with business goals and technical strategy/innovation.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with product management, quality, manufacturing, and other stakeholders to define, scope, and prioritize technical requirements.
• Drive the design and development of systems and products, ensuring functionality, reliability, and scalability.
• Support and direct validation efforts including test planning, execution, and correlation between field performance, test data, and analytical models.
• Provide input to technical positions relative to key field/customer issues.
• Act as a technical subject matter expert, staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies, and applying them appropriately.
• Lead the development and maintenance of the organization’s technical roadmap for landing gear and kingpin products
• Participate in critical design reviews to ensure engineering excellence and adherence to best practices.
• Support the professional development of team members through mentoring and coaching.
• Selection, testing and validation of grease required for JOST products.
• Responsible for ensuring product safety in design and manufacturing.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in design and/or product engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in manufacturing processes, material fatigue analysis, testing, and validation.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams and deliver results in a collaborative environment.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with product lifecycle management, design for manufacturability, and engineering change control is a plus.

Personal Attributes:

• Results‑oriented with a strong drive for excellence and continuous improvement.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Familiarity with advanced simulation tools (e.g., FEA, CAE)
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements for Heavy Truck/Trailer products.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance‑based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.

Physical Requirements:

• This is primarily a sedentary role within an office setting. While performing duties of this job, the employee will regularly; sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, twist and rarely will be required to stoop, kneel, lift or move objects of less than fifty pounds.