Engineering Manager

East Trailers LLC; Kentucky; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

East Trailers LLC in Kentucky is seeking a hands-on Engineering Manager to lead engineering capabilities and execution, bridging product design, manufacturing, and customer needs on a broad range of trailer products.

You will drive product development through manufacturing, strengthen technical discipline, mentor engineers, and partner with Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive engineering experience, including 3+ years leading engineers or technical teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience in trailers, heavy equipment, specialty vehicles, industrial equipment, or other complex engineered products.
• Experience with product development, manufacturing engineering, CAD, BOM/ERP environments, and engineering change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead product design process and manufacturing engineering priorities.
• Drive engineering execution from product development through manufacturing support.
• Partner closely with Operations to improve manufacturability, quality, productivity, and delivery.
• Lead new product development, product improvements, and customer-specific engineering solutions.
• Strengthen engineering discipline across drawings, BOMs, routings, specifications, and engineering changes.
• Drive DFM/DFA, value engineering, standardization, and structured problem solving.
• Support root-cause resolution of manufacturing, quality, and product reliability issues.
• Build and develop a strong, accountable engineering team.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, and Warranty.

Skills

People leadership

Manufacturing execution

Cross-functional collaboration

Product development

DFM/DFA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

ERP systems

Job description

We’re looking for a hands‑on Engineering Manager to lead engineering capabilities and execution at East Trailers, connecting product design, manufacturing, and customer needs.

Role Purpose

Lead the Engineering function to deliver safe, reliable, manufacturable, and competitive products while strengthening technical discipline, developing engineering talent, and partnering closely with Operations and Commercial teams.

What you’ll do

• Lead product design process and manufacturing engineering priorities
• Drive engineering execution from product development through manufacturing support
• Partner closely with Operations to improve manufacturability, quality, productivity, and delivery
• Lead new product development, product improvements, and customer-specific engineering solutions
• Strengthen engineering discipline across drawings, BOMs, routings, specifications, and engineering changes
• Drive DFM/DFA, value engineering, standardization, and structured problem solving
• Support root-cause resolution of manufacturing, quality, and product reliability issues
• Build and develop a strong, accountable engineering team
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, and Warranty

What we’re looking for

• Proven ability to lead engineering teams in complex manufacturing environments
• Strong connection between product engineering and manufacturing execution
• Experience in high-mix/low-volume, engineered-to-order, or other complex discrete manufacturing environments
• Ability to balance product development, customer needs, and day-to-day manufacturing priorities
• Hands‑on leadership style with a strong presence in the manufacturing environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
• 8+ years of progressive engineering experience, including 3+ years leading engineers or technical teams
• Experience in trailers, heavy equipment, specialty vehicles, industrial equipment, metal fabrication, or other complex engineered products
• Experience with product development, manufacturing engineering, CAD, BOM/ERP environments, and engineering change management

Core Competencies

• Hands‑on technical and people leadership
• Strong manufacturing and product mindset
• Structured problem solving and engineering discipline
• Ability to prioritize and execute in a fast‑paced environment
• Clear communication and cross‑functional collaboration
• Strong ownership and accountability for results

If you’re an engineering leader who enjoys being close to the product, the manufacturing floor, the team, and wants to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to connect.