Design Engineering Manager

Blue Bridge People; Port Clinton (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Bridge People is seeking a Design Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for mechanical design and engineered solutions for material handling projects. You will drive standardization, process improvement, and product innovation while partnering with sales, project management, manufacturing, and installation teams to deliver safe, cost-effective, and manufacturable solutions.

The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical engineering expertise in machine design and industrial

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and manufacturing methods.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD with SolidWorks expertise.
• Experience with power transmission systems (motors, gearboxes, belts, pulleys, drives).
• Working knowledge of electrical controls, schematics, and engineering drawings.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems (SyteLine preferred).
• 10+ years of engineering experience; 3+ years in people management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop design engineers and technical staff.
• Staffing, resource allocation, workload, performance reviews, and hiring.
• Establish performance expectations and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and build engineering capabilities.
• Oversee design of conveyor and material handling systems.
• Review CAD models and drawings for manufacturability and cost.
• Drive standardization, modular design, and design-for-manufacturability.
• Manage milestones, resource plans, and release schedules.
• Identify risks and coordinate with project management.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design

SolidWorks

Power transmission

3D CAD

Engineering leadership

ERP/PLM

Schematic interpretation

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

SyteLine ERP

PLM/PDM

Job description

Our client is a growing conveyor and material handling systems integrator serving the retail, e-commerce, and distribution markets.

Position Summary

The Design Engineering Manager leads a team responsible for mechanical design, and engineered solutions for material handling projects. This role oversees product development, technical standards, and design quality while partnering with sales, project management, manufacturing, and installation teams to deliver safe, cost-effective, and manufacturable solutions.

The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical engineering expertise in machine design and industrial automation with proven team leadership and a focus on standardization, process improvement, and product innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop design engineers and technical staff.
• Manage staffing, resource allocation, workload distribution, performance reviews, and hiring.
• Establish performance expectations and promote accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance while developing the team's engineering capabilities.
• Oversee the design and development of conveyor and material handling systems and components.
• Review and approve 3D CAD models and engineering drawings.
• Translate concepts and customer requirements into manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective designs.
• Drive standardization, modular design, design-for-manufacturability, and cost reduction.
• Manage engineering milestones, deliverables, resource plans, and release schedules for new product development.
• Identify technical risks and coordinate with project management to maintain project schedules and budgets.

Technical Standards & Validation

• Oversee engineering calculations for component sizing, structural integrity, and system performance.
• Provide technical guidance on power transmission systems, including motors, gearboxes, belts, pulleys, and drives.
• Establish engineering standards and ensure designs meet applicable safety requirements and internal quality standards.
• Support the development and execution of product testing, validation, and verification plans.
• Oversee engineering changes and ensure appropriate documentation and approvals.

Manufacturing & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with manufacturing to support product launches, resolve design and production issues, and improve assembly methods and efficiency.
• Collaborate with sales, project management, installation, and other teams to align engineering deliverables with project requirements.
• Support customer technical reviews, proposal development, and pre-sales engineering as needed.
• Work with suppliers to evaluate components, technical alternatives, and sourcing opportunities.

Process Improvement & Strategy

• Improve engineering processes, tools, documentation, and design standards.
• Track engineering performance metrics, including schedule adherence, quality, and engineering changes.
• Evaluate new technologies and tools to improve engineering efficiency and product performance.
• Contribute to product roadmaps and long-term engineering strategy.
• Promote safe, ergonomic, and efficient design and manufacturing practices.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and manufacturing methods.
• High proficiency in 3D CAD software; SolidWorks required, with advanced expertise preferred.
• Strong knowledge of power transmission systems, including motors, gearboxes, belts, pulleys, and drives.
• Working knowledge of electrical controls, control hardware, and system operation.
• Ability to interpret mechanical and electrical schematics, engineering drawings, and customer specifications.
• Experience with ERP and PLM/PDM systems; SyteLine experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, documentation, and reporting skills.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience.
• 3+ years of direct people management, leadership, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with conveyor systems and material handling equipment strongly preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly manages design engineers and technical staff, including hiring, performance management, coaching, and career development. Accountable for team productivity, engineering quality, technical decisions, and design approvals within assigned product lines or programs.